Jason James Richter
American actor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jason James Richter (born January 29, 1980)[1] is an American actor, musician, producer, and director.
- Free Willy (1993)
- Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home (1995)
- Free Willy 3: The Rescue (1997)
Jason James Richter | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 29, 1980 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Notable work |
|
Originally from Medford, Oregon, Richter rose to fame as a child actor, starring in the Free Willy franchise. His career includes a wide range of roles in film and television, as well as work behind the camera. He has appeared in notable productions such as The Little Things (2021), Last Call (2021), and The NeverEnding Story III (1994). His television credits include guest roles on popular series like Bones, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior.
In recent years, Richter has expanded his career into producing and directing. He has produced several films, including Natty Knocks (2023) and The Last Rampage (2017). His directorial debut came with the short film The Quiet Loud in 2013, which he also wrote and produced. Throughout his career, Richter has received recognition for his performances, including a Young Artist Award for his role in Free Willy and nominations for MTV Movie Awards.
As of 2025, Richter continues to be active in the industry, with his most recent acting credit in Final Heist (2024).
Early life
Richter was born on January 29, 1980.
Career
Richter starred as Jesse in Free Willy (1993), a role for which he was chosen out of more than 4,000 candidates.[2]
His other films include Cops & Robbersons, The NeverEnding Story III, Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home, Laserhawk, Free Willy 3: The Rescue, and The Setting Son. He also reprised his role as Jesse in the music video for Michael Jackson's "Childhood", which was featured in Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home. In 2021, he appeared in the thriller The Little Things, his first studio film since the Free Willy films. Between the Free Willy roles, he had TV guest roles on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Rugrats and The Client.
Following his appearance in Ricochet River, Richter took a decade long hiatus from acting where he was the bassist Fermata.[3]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Free Willy | Jesse Greenwood | |
| 1994 | Cops & Robbersons | Kevin Robberson | |
| 1994 | The NeverEnding Story III: Return to Fantasia | Bastian | |
| 1995 | Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home | Jesse Greenwood | |
| 1997 | Free Willy 3: The Rescue | ||
| 1997 | The Setting Son | Big Bully | |
| 1997 | Laserhawk | Zach Raymond | |
| 2001 | Ricochet River | Wade | |
| 2009 | Tekken | Bonner's Associate | Also assistant director |
| 2013 | The Quiet Loud | Paul | Short film; also director, writer & producer |
| 2014 | Life's a Pitch | Jimmy | TV film |
| 2016 | Vicious | Jeff | Also producer |
| 2017 | Last Rampage | Brawley | Also associate producer |
| 2017 | 3 Solitude | Elliot | |
| 2017 | High & Outside: A Baseball Noir | Johnny | |
| 2018 | Inhumane | Dr. Aaron Graybor | |
| 2018 | Remember the Sultana | Corporal Erastus Winters/ Corporal William Norton/ Private John Zazier (voice) |
|
| 2018 | 818 | Alex | |
| 2018 | Driver | Alexander Hutchins | |
| 2019 | The Brawler | John Olson | |
| 2019 | Infidelity | Garret Walker | |
| 2021 | The Little Things | Detective Williams | |
| 2021 | Last Call | Saville | |
| 2023 | Natty Knocks | Leo | |
| 2023 | Nothing to See Here | Daniel | |
| 2024 | Final Heist | TBA |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Movie Magic | Himself | Episode: "Aqua Animatronics" |
| 1996 | The Client | Chris Love | Episode: "The Morning After" |
| 1997 | Sabrina the Teenage Witch | Dante | Episode: "Dante's Inferno" |
| Rugrats | Ringo the Bull | Episode: "He Saw, She Saw/Piggy's Pizza Palace" | |
| 2001 | Mega Movie Magic | Himself (archive footage) | Episode: "Free Willy 2/Independence Day" |
| 2009 | Bones | Clown No. 2 | Episode: "Double Trouble in the Panhandle" |
| 2011 | Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior | Matthew Keane | Episode: "Nighthawk" |
| Year | Title | Role | Artist | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "Childhood" | Jesse | Michael Jackson | Nicholas Brandt |
| 2018 | "Pink Honey" | Tall Man | Houses | Brook Linder |
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year | Category | Nominated work |
Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Young Artist Awards | 1994 | Best Youth Actor Leading Role in a Motion Picture: Drama | Free Willy (shared with Edward Furlong for A Home of Our Own) | Won | [4] |
| MTV Movie & TV Awards | 1994 | Breakthrough Performance | Free Willy | Nominated | [5] |
| Best Kiss | Free Willy (shared with Keiko) | Nominated | [6] |