What 'Free Willy' Child Star Jason James Richter Has Been Up to Ahead of the Film's 25th Anniversary
Two decades and a half after 1993's Free Willy made Jason James Richter a star at just 11 years old, Richter is still acting today.
2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the beloved film, which starred Richter as Jesse, a foster child who befriends a captive orca named Willy. Eventually, Jesse helps set Willy free after learning of a plot to kill the whale for his million-dollar insurance policy.
The film was an incredible hit, grossing more than $150 million worldwide.
Richer, who is now 38, starred in an number of films after Free Willy, including its sequels, Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home and Free Willy 3: The Rescue. He also appeared on the small screen, making appearances on Bones, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and Criminal Minds.
Richter is still acting today -- his projects this year include the upcoming Ghost in the Graveyard, Infidelity and 818. The actor is also active on Instagram, giving fans a look at what a grown-up Jesse looks like today.
#throwback #mondaymotivation Hiking valley of Fire. #2018
A post shared by Jason👀Richter (@jason_james_richter) on Jan 29, 2018 at 7:32am PST
A post shared by Jason👀Richter (@jason_james_richter) on Jan 15, 2018 at 4:50pm PST
A post shared by Jason👀Richter (@jason_james_richter) on Aug 17, 2017 at 11:14am PDT
Interestingly enough, the controversial captivity of killer whales -- and its possible dangers for both humans and mammals -- was brought back into the spotlight in 2013 thanks to the hit documentary Blackfish. Male orca whale Tilikum -- who was profiled in the film after he killed trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010 when he pulled her into the pool following a "Dine With Shamu" show at Seaworld -- died last January.
Watch below:
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