Then + Now: Jason James Richter from ‘Free Willy’
Back in the '90s, Jason James Richter saved a friendly killer whale from danger not once, not twice, but three times in the 'Free Willy' movies. But what's he up to now that his rescue days are over?
Then:
Jason James Richter beat out over 4,000 kids for the role of Jesse, the troubled orphan who famously bonds with a captive killer whale named Willy and helps to set him free in the film 'Free Willy.' Richter reprised the role for two sequels, 'Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home,' and 'Free Willy 3: The Rescue.' You might have also seen the young actor in 'The Neverending Story 3,' 'Cops and Robbersons,' or the 'Sabrina, the Teenage Witch' television show.
Now:
When the '90s ended, Jason James Richter took a step back from acting. He returned in 2009 for a small role in an episode of 'Bones,' and he appeared in an episode of 'Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior' in 2011. He currently has a film in production called '3 Solitude,' scheduled for a 2014 release.
But acting isn't his main focus anymore -- Richter plays bass in a band called Fermata, and he even has a few face tattoos.