The Free Willy actor who played the orca’s friend Jesse in the Hollywood blockbuster looked wildly different when he made a new TV appearance 30 years on from the iconic film’s release.
Jason James Richter, who starred in the children’s classic in 1993, was appearing on Australian TV to mark three decades since the film’s release.
The now 43-year-old stunned viewers of the daytime show, Today Extra, with his moustache and beard combo.
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Speaking to presenters Sylvia Jeffreys and Tim Davies, Richter recalled how excited he was to secure the role of Jesse – but added all his friends thought he was lying when he originally told them the news.
(Image: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)
Jason said: “I was just about 11 years old. I ran through the neighbourhood to brag to all my friends.
“Nobody believed me until I left to go make the movie.”
The Oregon, US, native even confessed he was frightened while filming scenes with killer whale Keiko.
Jason has most recently starred in comedy-drama Last Call and psychological crime thriller, The Little Things.
(Image: Nine)
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Free Willy tells the heart-warming tale of a young boy and an orca whale that became best friends.
After he vandalised the theme park where Willy lived, orphan Jesse’s life was turned around when he was ordered to work there as punishment.
But the tearaway teen soon found redemption after he halted plans that would have seen the whale killed.
(Image: Nine)
Jason went on to star in all three Free Willy films between 1993 and 1997.
He landed the role of the heroic teen ahead of more than 4,000 auditionees.
Between the Free Willy roles, he had TV guest roles on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Rugrats and The Client.
A year after his last involvement in the franchise , Richter took a decade-long hiatus from acting where he was the guitarist and bassist for Blue Root and Fermata, respectively.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
