Sliders was one of the best science fiction shows on television, and Jerry was fantastic in it. Thanks for the adventures man. That show meant a lot to me.
Stand By Me is basically my favorite movie ever. My sister and I watched 100 times over the years, can recite from start to finish. Truly a masterpiece.
@@dannydeepo It’s ok, but it could’ve been worse. The actual shorts on MTV, done with pocket change, when comparing it to the movie. If one likes that movie, look for the original.
I was the fat kid so I related. At that time I had already lost the weight, but I still had fresh memories of being the chubby one in my group of friends. All the young actors in this film were outstanding. Jerry included.
I was chubby as a child and I will never not feel like that kid no matter how skinny I get. I think knowing that other people only value you by your appearance and will treat you as less than because of it is disheartening once you've lived through it.
Stand By Me was my absolute favorite movie as a kid (I'm the same age as Jerry) and have seen it so many times. It's actually what got me into Stephen King - when I learned the original story had come from "Different Seasons" I became obsessed with his books. Anyway, Jerry's story about Rob Reiner yelling "cut" legit had me tearing up. So glad he's had a great career because of this film. Great interview.
I worked with him on a tv show this past summer and he is the nicest and silliest human. He is humble and treats every person the same, with absolute kindness. Him and Rebecca are the cutest couple. ❤
He'll always be either the kid from "My Secret Identity" or the guy from "Sliders". Stand By Me is a great film, but I spent most of my youth watching him grow up on T.V. shows that I loved.
I have been a fan of Jerry O'Connell for years, but it started with Sliders. I have seen his younger stuff. Stand by Me was the best movie. The main reason why I watched Scream 2 was because he was in it. I admit it I had a major crush, but he is a great actor to boot.
I am 43 and somehow didn't know that was Jerry O'Connell in Stand by Me until this episode. Woah! To me, he'll always be Trip McNealy from Can't Hardly Wait, and Sydney Prescott's boyfriend in Scream 2. He's awesome!
Yes, Can't Hardly Wait was great. Forgot he was in that. I do remember him from Stand By Me, but it came out the year I was born, so it was from watching it on TV when I was like 10 or something. He was also in Mission To Mars which I watched in the cinema when it came out, and I also remember watching Tomcats on video a couple years after that came out. By that stage he wasn't the "fat kid from Stand By Me" anymore.
It's amazing to see Jerry O'Connell become the characters from his memories. These are clearly extremely vivid memories he is reliving and it's fascinating to watch his mannerisms, voice, facial expressions, and overall demeanor change as he is accessing these memories. Even as he was reliving memories of his 11 year old self, it was visible that he was taking on that character from Stand by Me
“You were the fat kid from stand by me”. Every character was processing something on that journey. Weight was one of the things Vern was processing. I think being remembered as “the fat kid” from stand by me was a testament to O’Connell’s acting in the movie. Not just a comment on his weight.
That’s not really a testament at all his character had a name, his name and the movie wasn’t the fat kid It’s almost like a woman in a movie who had a major part in a cast of people being called the “hooker” or the “Slut”
This is what i was thinking. They each had their own challenges, and fit a common archetype, which was Stephen King's intent. That's what made it relatable and endearing.
@Christian_Ada1 I can't remember the name of the bullies in that movie and they were significant. I would just refer to them as the bullies. If I was to see one of them today, not that I'd actually recognize them, but I might say you were one of the bullies in Stand By Me. Should they be offended? Or hurt? This guy's got some work to do on his imposter syndrome and let go of that chunky past.
@@Christian_Ada1 I’m not saying it’s right. I’m just saying that many people don’t remember names in movies. They remember the way the character related to the story. Part of Vern’s character arc in the movie is about being the “fat” kid that uses humor as a diversion. That’s why you will often hear someone say he was the “funny fat kid”. His acting is probably part of the reason that some people make that connection. If his weight wasn’t a part of the movie and it was what people called Vern I would not be making this comment. It’s just a glass half full perspective. I do think it’s similar to when someone says that Jodie Foster was the “child hooker” in Taxi for example. Not necessarily right, but people are relating it to one of the most prominent things involving the character. If terms like hooker are being thrown around without it being related to the character then I wouldn’t call it a testament to their acting ability.
@ I think exploiting your best friend’s molestations (while shitting on his legacy the whole time) for monetary gain for decades is pretty shitty, so… yes?
This is so true. They are like the opposite to the view of fans thinking their careers will go. start in 80's all to 2020's Jerry the fat kid who will only be known as the fat kid .....turns out to be heart throb who is cool as hell (tomcats is such an underrated movie) with great comedy timing, good acting, everything ive seen of him is golden (even if hes sheldons bad brother) Corey the coolest kid in the block who has a big future coming for him ....... turns out to completely burn down his chance for a career by turning into michael jackson, becomes a stand up comedian, worst acting, a band that is more of a joke than music. ect and ect there is so many wrongs in this than right. Jerry is awesome
Randomly bumped into Jerry O'Connell at a Yankee game back in '98 in the old stadium - we were both on line for food, he was SO nice. BSed about the team a little. Nice guy.
Oh! That Rob Reiner affirmation moment! In my life I have a mentor I always try to impress with my work - I know I have pleased him when he comments "Good on you laddie". I told him a couple years ago how much those words mean to me. Simple words like "Jerry more of that" can be so powerful ❤
This is a good point about perspective, because when I tell people I was picked on relentlessly as a kid, not for being fat, but for being one of the heaviest kids among about a thousand kids where nobody was overweight. If a million kids weigh the same weight, and one weighs 5 pounds more, that kid will be made fun of as a whale of a kid basically. It seems better now, but is it just because the scale is bigger? Do really overweight kids just get it worse than I ever did nowadays?
I was a husky kid. My brother always told me do truffle shuffle. My eldest brother said, damn you're fat. Then I grew, now they're both fat. Never bothered me though, just made me stronger. It helped I grew 8" in one year....
The character Vern is literally meant to be a stereotype of the fat kid friend trope by both Stephen AND the movie, dumbasses. Vern literally calls himself the fat kid in the film. Yes, he wouldn't stand out as much today, but it is stupid to deny he was meant to be a fat kid friend stereotype.
😢ohhh I loved his character and I absolutely was so excited to see him as a gorgeous adult. There's a certain something about being a fat kid ... Seeing a fat kid in a movie... Feeling seen and accepted. REPRESENTATION is important nowadays more than ever.❤
I'll be 50 soon (a year younger than Jerry). I did not see the movie at the theater, but enjoyed it very much a year or two later on VHS. Over the years it has become one of my favorites
2:35 I haven’t seen it in a few years, but I don’t think the other three ever call him fat. The clip Neal used here is from the “Lardass” story, but it’s not about Vern. I think Vern talks about his parents wanting to put him in fat camp? Maybe? And it’s possible Ace’s gang called him something. I mean - they’re dicks. Maybe the guy who ran the junkyard might have. But I can’t think of when the other three main guys called him fat.
I think you are right on the buried pennies! Literally every time in my life i ever find a penny, i always say: "Hey, a Penny!" As Jerry in Stand By Me. 30 years or more i been doin that
Haven't seen it on awhile, but I do remember Vern (Jerry's character) referring to himself as "the fat kid" in one scene (the scene when Corey Feldman's character spits water at him as a joke).
Watched Stand by Me with my son this year. He can never sit through a film from start to finish. We watched the whole movie and it was honestly an amazing moment we shared together. He cracked me up because at the end my son said “Oh, No! He got him.” Referring to Chris being killed, thinking it was Ace. 😂 His 10.
This is absolutely SURREAL. I saw this dude in a commercial last night for a phone or game show. And I thought to myself "oh the Sliders guy. I'm probably the ONLY person that doesn't think of him as the 'fat kid' from that movie." At the time I couldn't remember his name, OR even the title Stand by Me. And then I thought, "he's like my age or so, and I remember the movie," then I thought "I think he's been hosting some kind of show, but a few years back pulled a shock move and got married to some famous model/actress with a J in her name. X-Men..." I wondered how he dealt with most people having the Stand by Me version of him in their minds. Yeah, I was thinking ALL of this last night. So I HAD to watch this video. Most shocking things? a) I had moved to and was living in NYC at the time, applied a few times to NYU. b) And he speaks like my native New Yorker friends--everybody thinks they talk like when he imitates his mother--very rarely do you meet those folks with that classic 70's Kojack character accent.
I was just watching interviews from the cast of The Princess Bride and they called Reiner an actors’ director. It’s super nice to know he gave that kind of validation to Jerry when he was a kid, life changing validation. Some kids never get it.
I remember renting a VCR from Jumbo Video and Stand By Me the night it came out on VHS. When I saw it I remember thinking Vern WAS me.. except he was able to keep friends. I was diagnosed with Hyperactivity when I was 6 but only on Ridilin for 2 yrs.. off of it from 8 onward my school desk was usually sitting in the hallway as to not disrupt the others and getting the occasional strap from the principal. Ive tried to watch everything that cast has been in since.
My Dad recorded Stand By Me on a VHS in 1989, I was 7, it's been my #1 ever since 👍 Sad to see that Jerry struggled w that label. I'll always be a fan of all 4 boys in that film for life :)
One of my all time favorites. Reminds me of a friend of mine who passed away, we watched this all the time. Knew it word for word. I definitely believe it inspired her to write. I miss her and those times we shared. This movie is a classic in my eyes.
From a kid to an adult I've always loved that film. Also Sliders??? loads of people loved that show and he was in Scream 2, I'm probably missing loads of other class stuff he was in. Also a fascinating interview.
I'm a Millennial(38), and I don't know him from that. I know him from Stand By Me. And maybe like, Jerry Maguire, Tomcats and Mission To Mars a bit later. Like, I may have been born the year Stand By Me was released, but I remember watching it on TV growing up. Was watching slightly older films on TV not a thing in America?
If memory serves, the only mention of Vern being fat is when Teddy spits water on him and he says, "Oh, great, spit on the fat kid." I don't even think there are any jokes about how big he is or how much he eats, you never see him eating except when the other kids are. Yet there are numerous fat jokes directed at Lardass Hogan and the junkyard caretaker (plus Vern's cousin). Contrast that with The Goonies, made a year before, where Chunk has to expose and jiggle his belly, there are numerous scenes of him either eating, looking for food, and getting excited about eating food, and both he and the other kids reference how he's always hungry. There was even a deleted scene where he got stuck in a convenience store freezer where he was licking the tops off of ice cream pints.
He did a good job in Stand By Me. I think he starred in SBM ,and was able to keep his head on straight afterward. He has a great personality it seems. I think that is why he gets the nice supermodel wife. I think he is still married ,so that says a LOT. A lot of relationships don't last long today. Good job Jerr!
I'm 48 and finally just watched the whole movie, Stand By Me. I think because it was rated R I never got to see it back in the day when I was younger. I had just seen parts of the movie when it was edited on television back in the 80's. It's a cool movie and I hope to watch it again.
As someone who was the “fat Kid” growing up. I always identify with Jerry’s character. There were subtle things he did liked a look , or an awkwardness, I always identified with and immediately understood. He should not be frustrated about it , he should be proud , he should turn that comment back on whoever says it to him and say “did you know a fat kid growing up?” If they say (which they will) yeah, and what do they look like now ? And how did you treat them ? Do you feel bad about it? Did you treat them different after you saw the movie ? Just flip the script !❤
The end of this clip makes me tear up. As a person with ADHD I totally understand what he means about not feeling like he knew who he was until that moment. It's because we are always masking our behaviors and our impulses and being accepted, especially as a child, for who we were is all we ND kids ever wanted. I'm sure it was very freeing. I love Jerry and all he does.
I was 10 years old when Stand by Me came out (about 2.5 months short of my 11th birthday) and I loved the movie. It became one of the most significant and defining films of my youth along with the original Star Wars trilogy, The Never Ending Story, and things like that. Vern was always my favorite character because he was the one I could relate to the most; i really saw myself in him. I too was awkward and frequently the butt of jokes. Because of that role, I have always looked up to Jerry O'Connell as a role model and would watch any other project I could find him on. 1988's My Secret Identity and Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss all the way up to Sliders, Scream 2, and so on. There aren't many celebrities that I'd like to hang out and just be friends with, but Jerry O'Connell has always been high on the list.
I didn't know him from stand by me. As a Canadian youth, I watched him in "my secret identity". I've seen in sliders, but I saw him as the guy that was on my secret identity.
I was living in Singapore and our entire 5th grade class was at the Singapore American Club when we watched Stand by Me when it came out. I remember the next few weeks at school being all about the movie. The movie wouldn't have had the heart it did if anyone else had played Vern. Love that movie.
That movie still holds up today. It came out when i was in 8th grade so i was the perfect age that could totally relate those 4 kids. My group of friends growing were exactly like each one of them. I was like Will Wheaton, one friend was like a River Phoenix tough guy. We had the weirdo in our group who was like Corey Feldman. Then we had the fat kid we all ribbed on.
I grew up with Stand By Me. I was “the fat kid” and was beat up because of it daily. I felt connected to his character and it was more than just surface level. I also used to watch SLIDERS episodes with my uncle occasionally when I was little. Not knowing it was the same actor. I rewatched the series a few years ago with my GF and she was really into it. I was diagnosed with ADHD and my dad refused to put me on meds. He’d say “just focus and do what you’re friggin supposed to do”. I get asked if I have ADHD I don’t have to tell anyone.
I’ve enjoyed a lot of things that Jerry O’Connell was in but My Secret Identity holds a special place in my memory, most of the family would sit and watch with me and that was rare.
Jerry! YOU were/Are my celebrity crush! I was born 2/19/1971 & thought because we were close in age, that we were meant to be! I'm so sorry you felt imposter syndrome. To me, you're ALWAYS on a pedestal! ❤❤❤❤
Honestly though, he wasn’t even really “fat” he was bigger than them, yes. But he wasn’t really FAT.
Місяць тому+6
For the age they are and for a kid he would be considered fat. If it was like a 22 year old that had body fat like that you wouldn't think fat but because he's small and fat... and really no kids that age were fat like that other than the one or two so it's not shocking at all if he got teased. He was literally one summer and a growths spurt away from shedding that baby fat but it is what it is. One of the better looking men in Hollywood so I'd rather have the looks and confidence later and forever than peaking in HS or something
Him and Brady both were slightly chubby in their early teens. Their commonality was both Irish blood, both ended up being tall and they both look like they could be brothers.
I've met Jerry a couple times because our kids are randomly in the friends of friends circles, been to different birthday parties or I've seen him running just on the beach in (well, I don't want to give away where)... but always the nicest, most humble guy you would ever meet. At one birthday party years ago, he and I were just helping cleaning up pizza boxes at this My Gym place in Woodland Hills, to help out (when our kids were super young). Just a regular guy. I work in the 'industry' as well, but hope to some day work with him.
Jerry was amazing to watch growing up. I loved Sliders and watched it with my dad all the time. Tomcats was great. I just really liked his charm and delivery. Always wanted him to do more movies and series. He's one of the reasons I saw a large "thing" in 3D float on the big screen. He went on to marry the first woman I remember having a crush on when I was around 8-9 back in 1991/1992. Cut her out of magazines when she was just modeling clothes and undergarments. 😂 I was blown away watching her do film and thought wow, she's an actress now, a good one. Femme Fatale was amazing, she was great.
Dude you’re married to Rebecca Romijin,being the fat kid in a movie once isn’t a bad trade off😂. And it’s an an iconic film that became an instant classic
I was a fat kid, and none of that bothers me today. If someone from back then said I was the fat kid from 6th grade, I would shrug and laugh. Look at him now. This is ridiculous.
He made the biggest impression out of that movie. Those actors went on to a long career, but he's one of the few that most people would still be excited about seeing in person, or work.
Frankly, I’m happy for you that you are no longer the chubby kid from Stand By Me. I’m impressed. And I wish you all the best. As an always chubby girl, I always hoped to grow out of it, and did. Then the pandemic hit and everything changed.
Jerry is the bf from Scream 2 that got done dirty and the star of Sliders. I saw non stop press of him in the late 90’s as a sex symbol who was an inspiration for others to lose weight and look/feel good.
True story, my 11 year old daughter loves Stand By Me. This past weekend, my wife was watching Crossing Jordan, and I pointed Jerry out on the show and told her, "That's the guy that played Vern on Stand By Me." When she looked long enough for the face to click and she realized I wasn't lying, I told her, "That's why I always tell you not to pick on people in middle school. Eventually, you'll eat crow on that"
You'll always be the dude from Sliders to me, Jerry. Under-appreciated series. Even the final seasons without Jerry that were "bad" pushed the envelope on what could be shown on TV, so they were also good in a weird way.
This is interesting that a chubby O’Connell was casted as Verne because his character is not chunky or overweight in the book .. I suggest everyone that likes Stand By Me read the book the Body by Stephen king - the book which the movie is based off of .. it fleshes the characters out more and it’s quite a bit darker overall
Sliders was one of the best science fiction shows on television, and Jerry was fantastic in it. Thanks for the adventures man. That show meant a lot to me.
Best. I still watch it fairly regularly.
Agreed!! I bought the first three seasons on DVD! One of my favorite sci-fi shows!
I know him from Sliders (vaguely remember from childhood), had no idea he was in stand by me, not sure I've watched it.
When the dog bit Fat Kid Jerry O'Connell I almost pooped my pants. then again I poop my pants daily, some times hourly. winning
I met Jerry in an airport about 8 years ago and told him how important Sliders was to me. He was so kind and gracious. Just a lovely guy.
Stand By Me is basically my favorite movie ever. My sister and I watched 100 times over the years, can recite from start to finish. Truly a masterpiece.
It is absolutely and has always been my favorite movie of all time.
basically...
U ain't got no pack hand! My father stormed the beach of Normandy!
He stormed the fucking beach!!
I've never seen Stand By Me. To me, Jerry O'Connell will always be Quinn from Sliders. He made science cool to this 8 year old.
I love Stand By Me, but agree about him and Sliders 👍🏻
That’s wild you saw Sliders but not a Stephen King! I always think of Joes Apartment
Noob
Sliders was awesome! Hardly known now, but it was damn cool.
Sliders and Jerry Maguire, for sure.
I like that he still uses his wife as a flex, after 17 years of marriage. That's heartwarming.
Idk how old you are, but in the 90z Rebecca Romijn was #1 on a lot of guys' lists. It is a flex
AND she traded in (upgraded) John Stamos for him too
I mean, wouldn't you?
Joe's Apartment was my first Jerry O'Connell movie
Great movie
@@dannydeepo
It’s ok, but it could’ve been worse.
The actual shorts on MTV, done with pocket change, when comparing it to the movie.
If one likes that movie, look for the original.
I'm sorry
Me too but I saw Sliders first
Lol
I was the fat kid so I related. At that time I had already lost the weight, but I still had fresh memories of being the chubby one in my group of friends. All the young actors in this film were outstanding. Jerry included.
I was chubby as a child and I will never not feel like that kid no matter how skinny I get. I think knowing that other people only value you by your appearance and will treat you as less than because of it is disheartening once you've lived through it.
Stand By Me was my absolute favorite movie as a kid (I'm the same age as Jerry) and have seen it so many times. It's actually what got me into Stephen King - when I learned the original story had come from "Different Seasons" I became obsessed with his books. Anyway, Jerry's story about Rob Reiner yelling "cut" legit had me tearing up. So glad he's had a great career because of this film. Great interview.
I used to manage a private gym that he and Rebecca would come to almost daily... They were soooo nice. Always chatted and so personable. ❤
So what
You couldn't manage a root in a whore house bro.
I worked with him on a tv show this past summer and he is the nicest and silliest human. He is humble and treats every person the same, with absolute kindness. Him and Rebecca are the cutest couple. ❤
What's a private gym?
This means so much to me. I was "the fat kid" growing up and to know Jerry O'Connell grew up to be such a good guy, and that his wife is so nice too.
He'll always be either the kid from "My Secret Identity" or the guy from "Sliders". Stand By Me is a great film, but I spent most of my youth watching him grow up on T.V. shows that I loved.
Loved that show one of the best tv theme songs
Sliders for me
My Secret Identity and Sliders was great. They screwed up Sliders in the second season. What a great premise they had that first season.
I still want to bring a spray can for him to sign.
@@salvation7362 .. my "My secret Identity " - loved that show. And Sliders is one of my absolute favorites!
When I was really young I used to watch a show called "My secret identity." So my first impression of Jerry was him playing a Superman-like hero.
Yo! I loved that show! The aerosol cans crack me up to this day. That theme song was the shit too
Vern: "I brought the comb!"♥️
Great! You don't have any hair!
I dropped the comb!
@@andrews6323😂😂
@GaryTongue-zn5di😂😂
Stand By Me is one of my top 5 favorites of all time. Have loved Jerry since those early years. River was such a talent.❤💔
I'll always remember my first introduction to Jerry was from My Secret Identity. Loved that show. He flew with aerosol cans!!!
Same! ❤
I didn't even realize he was in Stand By Me. I'll always first remember him from My Secret Identity on Canadian TV.
I was 12 when Stand by Me came out. Watched it with my dad who was 12 around the time the movie is set. Loved it then and now.
I've watched it with all of my kids, and they all love it.
Same. One of the best memories of time spent with my dad
That's interesting I wonder if that's why the movie is so popular because it crossed generations.
Your dad is twelve...he's such a stud!
I was ten and I loved it too
I have been a fan of Jerry O'Connell for years, but it started with Sliders. I have seen his younger stuff. Stand by Me was the best movie. The main reason why I watched Scream 2 was because he was in it. I admit it I had a major crush, but he is a great actor to boot.
I am 43 and somehow didn't know that was Jerry O'Connell in Stand by Me until this episode. Woah!
To me, he'll always be Trip McNealy from Can't Hardly Wait, and Sydney Prescott's boyfriend in Scream 2. He's awesome!
Yes, Can't Hardly Wait was great. Forgot he was in that. I do remember him from Stand By Me, but it came out the year I was born, so it was from watching it on TV when I was like 10 or something. He was also in Mission To Mars which I watched in the cinema when it came out, and I also remember watching Tomcats on video a couple years after that came out. By that stage he wasn't the "fat kid from Stand By Me" anymore.
It's amazing to see Jerry O'Connell become the characters from his memories. These are clearly extremely vivid memories he is reliving and it's fascinating to watch his mannerisms, voice, facial expressions, and overall demeanor change as he is accessing these memories.
Even as he was reliving memories of his 11 year old self, it was visible that he was taking on that character from Stand by Me
Wow. Amazing you see all this.
@@ardenevoxYeah I don't think any of that happened. He's pretty much the same all through this
“You were the fat kid from stand by me”. Every character was processing something on that journey. Weight was one of the things Vern was processing. I think being remembered as “the fat kid” from stand by me was a testament to O’Connell’s acting in the movie. Not just a comment on his weight.
That’s not really a testament at all his character had a name, his name and the movie wasn’t the fat kid
It’s almost like a woman in a movie who had a major part in a cast of people being called the “hooker” or the “Slut”
This is what i was thinking. They each had their own challenges, and fit a common archetype, which was Stephen King's intent. That's what made it relatable and endearing.
@Christian_Ada1 I can't remember the name of the bullies in that movie and they were significant. I would just refer to them as the bullies. If I was to see one of them today, not that I'd actually recognize them, but I might say you were one of the bullies in Stand By Me. Should they be offended? Or hurt?
This guy's got some work to do on his imposter syndrome and let go of that chunky past.
@@Christian_Ada1 I’m not saying it’s right. I’m just saying that many people don’t remember names in movies. They remember the way the character related to the story. Part of Vern’s character arc in the movie is about being the “fat” kid that uses humor as a diversion. That’s why you will often hear someone say he was the “funny fat kid”. His acting is probably part of the reason that some people make that connection. If his weight wasn’t a part of the movie and it was what people called Vern I would not be making this comment. It’s just a glass half full perspective.
I do think it’s similar to when someone says that Jodie Foster was the “child hooker” in Taxi for example. Not necessarily right, but people are relating it to one of the most prominent things involving the character. If terms like hooker are being thrown around without it being related to the character then I wouldn’t call it a testament to their acting ability.
Yes he was the fat kid, but being Corey Feldman would be way worse.
Because of the constant molestations or just in general?
@ I think exploiting your best friend’s molestations (while shitting on his legacy the whole time) for monetary gain for decades is pretty shitty, so… yes?
This is so true. They are like the opposite to the view of fans thinking their careers will go.
start in 80's all to 2020's
Jerry the fat kid who will only be known as the fat kid .....turns out to be heart throb who is cool as hell (tomcats is such an underrated movie) with great comedy timing, good acting, everything ive seen of him is golden (even if hes sheldons bad brother)
Corey the coolest kid in the block who has a big future coming for him ....... turns out to completely burn down his chance for a career by turning into michael jackson, becomes a stand up comedian, worst acting, a band that is more of a joke than music. ect and ect there is so many wrongs in this than right.
Jerry is awesome
He wasn't fat.
Feldman is actually very good in that film.
Didn't expect this clip to be as cathartic as it was (I was a very husky kid growing up).
Randomly bumped into Jerry O'Connell at a Yankee game back in '98 in the old stadium - we were both on line for food, he was SO nice. BSed about the team a little. Nice guy.
Oh! That Rob Reiner affirmation moment! In my life I have a mentor I always try to impress with my work - I know I have pleased him when he comments "Good on you laddie". I told him a couple years ago how much those words mean to me. Simple words like "Jerry more of that" can be so powerful ❤
He was fat by 1950’s standards.
Pretty normal today
Jerry O’Connell in My Secret Identity, best ever ❤️
Stand By Me is objectively a classic, but let's not forget Sliders!
Jerry is surprisingly genuine about his experience, personality and problems. That's very appreciated. Thank you Neal and Jerry.
This is a good point about perspective, because when I tell people I was picked on relentlessly as a kid, not for being fat, but for being one of the heaviest kids among about a thousand kids where nobody was overweight. If a million kids weigh the same weight, and one weighs 5 pounds more, that kid will be made fun of as a whale of a kid basically. It seems better now, but is it just because the scale is bigger? Do really overweight kids just get it worse than I ever did nowadays?
I was a husky kid. My brother always told me do truffle shuffle. My eldest brother said, damn you're fat. Then I grew, now they're both fat. Never bothered me though, just made me stronger. It helped I grew 8" in one year....
The Truffle Shuffle!! Classic
That's you. Not all kids are like that.
whats a truffle shuffle ?
@AdamBlack It's a dance that the character "Chunk" from the movie The Goonies does. I'm assuming you're not American or an eighties baby.
You are who you are
He got his revenge. Look around at kids in America today and you will know that there is no fat kid in Stand By Me. 😂
Seriously.
That's true. He wouldn't stand out among kids today. Would he even be called "the fat kid" by anyone to distinguish him from the rest?
Really sad how poor health is the new acceptable standard. Win for the pharmaceuticals and democrats
@@nikitaw1982 Win for Big Pharma and Republicans.
The character Vern is literally meant to be a stereotype of the fat kid friend trope by both Stephen AND the movie, dumbasses. Vern literally calls himself the fat kid in the film. Yes, he wouldn't stand out as much today, but it is stupid to deny he was meant to be a fat kid friend stereotype.
😢ohhh I loved his character and I absolutely was so excited to see him as a gorgeous adult. There's a certain something about being a fat kid ... Seeing a fat kid in a movie... Feeling seen and accepted.
REPRESENTATION is important nowadays more than ever.❤
I'll be 50 soon (a year younger than Jerry). I did not see the movie at the theater, but enjoyed it very much a year or two later on VHS. Over the years it has become one of my favorites
As a Canadian kid in the early 90s, I loved 'My Secret Identity' and always thought Jerry was Canadian. Big fan if his over the years.
Haven't seen Stand By Me yet, but I'll always remember Jerry O'Connell for Tomcats, Kangaroo Jack, and Superman 👍
Where’s all my fellow Canadians at? How’s nobody talking about My Secret Identity when mentioning Jerry? Plus the theme song kills! lol
2:35 I haven’t seen it in a few years, but I don’t think the other three ever call him fat. The clip Neal used here is from the “Lardass” story, but it’s not about Vern. I think Vern talks about his parents wanting to put him in fat camp? Maybe? And it’s possible Ace’s gang called him something. I mean - they’re dicks. Maybe the guy who ran the junkyard might have. But I can’t think of when the other three main guys called him fat.
I think you are right on the buried pennies!
Literally every time in my life i ever find a penny, i always say:
"Hey, a Penny!"
As Jerry in Stand By Me.
30 years or more i been doin that
Haven't seen it on awhile, but I do remember Vern (Jerry's character) referring to himself as "the fat kid" in one scene (the scene when Corey Feldman's character spits water at him as a joke).
Watched Stand by Me with my son this year. He can never sit through a film from start to finish. We watched the whole movie and it was honestly an amazing moment we shared together.
He cracked me up because at the end my son said “Oh, No! He got him.” Referring to Chris being killed, thinking it was Ace. 😂 His 10.
I never thought of it that way, but in a way it's true. Of course it likely wasn't Ace, himself, but the same type of character.
This is absolutely SURREAL. I saw this dude in a commercial last night for a phone or game show. And I thought to myself "oh the Sliders guy. I'm probably the ONLY person that doesn't think of him as the 'fat kid' from that movie." At the time I couldn't remember his name, OR even the title Stand by Me. And then I thought, "he's like my age or so, and I remember the movie," then I thought "I think he's been hosting some kind of show, but a few years back pulled a shock move and got married to some famous model/actress with a J in her name. X-Men..." I wondered how he dealt with most people having the Stand by Me version of him in their minds.
Yeah, I was thinking ALL of this last night. So I HAD to watch this video. Most shocking things? a) I had moved to and was living in NYC at the time, applied a few times to NYU. b) And he speaks like my native New Yorker friends--everybody thinks they talk like when he imitates his mother--very rarely do you meet those folks with that classic 70's Kojack character accent.
I was just watching interviews from the cast of The Princess Bride and they called Reiner an actors’ director. It’s super nice to know he gave that kind of validation to Jerry when he was a kid, life changing validation. Some kids never get it.
It's wild cause I stayed up every night to watch Sliders, so I only think of him from that. I LOVED that show. Still one of my top 5 favs.
I remember renting a VCR from Jumbo Video and Stand By Me the night it came out on VHS. When I saw it I remember thinking Vern WAS me.. except he was able to keep friends. I was diagnosed with Hyperactivity when I was 6 but only on Ridilin for 2 yrs.. off of it from 8 onward my school desk was usually sitting in the hallway as to not disrupt the others and getting the occasional strap from the principal. Ive tried to watch everything that cast has been in since.
Aw I'm sorry buddy. Didn't want the meds to stunt your growth or creativity.
My Dad recorded Stand By Me on a VHS in 1989, I was 7, it's been my #1 ever since 👍 Sad to see that Jerry struggled w that label. I'll always be a fan of all 4 boys in that film for life :)
It makes me smile every time I see him. I loved Sliders.
Whenever I see Jerry O’Connel I think, “OMG, it’s the guy from Secret Identity!” You’ll never guess my secret identity!
I always think of Jerry O'connell as the guy from Sliders.
As a real life "fat kid" from the 80's I can relate. Chubby? Bug-boned? Husky? Whatever I told myself.
Are you Eric Cartman?
One of my all time favorites. Reminds me of a friend of mine who passed away, we watched this all the time. Knew it word for word. I definitely believe it inspired her to write. I miss her and those times we shared. This movie is a classic in my eyes.
From a kid to an adult I've always loved that film. Also Sliders??? loads of people loved that show and he was in Scream 2, I'm probably missing loads of other class stuff he was in. Also a fascinating interview.
0:36 Stand By Me is not only a classic but it's in the 100 movies you have to see in your lifetime.
As a female millennial, we don't know him as "the fat kid from stand by me" we know him as the jerk from the Heartbreaker video 😂
I confirm this a 100% !!!!!!!! I’m 39 and that MC video is where I first saw him and where I still remember him the most
I'm a Millennial(38), and I don't know him from that. I know him from Stand By Me. And maybe like, Jerry Maguire, Tomcats and Mission To Mars a bit later. Like, I may have been born the year Stand By Me was released, but I remember watching it on TV growing up. Was watching slightly older films on TV not a thing in America?
Neil was not getting how the fat comment hurts so much
If memory serves, the only mention of Vern being fat is when Teddy spits water on him and he says, "Oh, great, spit on the fat kid." I don't even think there are any jokes about how big he is or how much he eats, you never see him eating except when the other kids are. Yet there are numerous fat jokes directed at Lardass Hogan and the junkyard caretaker (plus Vern's cousin).
Contrast that with The Goonies, made a year before, where Chunk has to expose and jiggle his belly, there are numerous scenes of him either eating, looking for food, and getting excited about eating food, and both he and the other kids reference how he's always hungry. There was even a deleted scene where he got stuck in a convenience store freezer where he was licking the tops off of ice cream pints.
He did a good job in Stand By Me. I think he starred in SBM ,and was able to keep his head on straight afterward. He has a great personality it seems. I think that is why he gets the nice supermodel wife. I think he is still married ,so that says a LOT. A lot of relationships don't last long today. Good job Jerr!
I'm 48 and finally just watched the whole movie, Stand By Me. I think because it was rated R I never got to see it back in the day when I was younger. I had just seen parts of the movie when it was edited on television back in the 80's. It's a cool movie and I hope to watch it again.
As someone who was the “fat Kid” growing up. I always identify with Jerry’s character. There were subtle things he did liked a look , or an awkwardness, I always identified with and immediately understood. He should not be frustrated about it , he should be proud , he should turn that comment back on whoever says it to him and say “did you know a fat kid growing up?” If they say (which they will) yeah, and what do they look like now ? And how did you treat them ? Do you feel bad about it? Did you treat them different after you saw the movie ? Just flip the script !❤
The end of this clip makes me tear up. As a person with ADHD I totally understand what he means about not feeling like he knew who he was until that moment. It's because we are always masking our behaviors and our impulses and being accepted, especially as a child, for who we were is all we ND kids ever wanted. I'm sure it was very freeing. I love Jerry and all he does.
Verno was a hilarious character. My brothers and I would crack up all the time. Love Jerry. He was great in Calendar Girl as well.
I was 10 years old when Stand by Me came out (about 2.5 months short of my 11th birthday) and I loved the movie. It became one of the most significant and defining films of my youth along with the original Star Wars trilogy, The Never Ending Story, and things like that. Vern was always my favorite character because he was the one I could relate to the most; i really saw myself in him. I too was awkward and frequently the butt of jokes. Because of that role, I have always looked up to Jerry O'Connell as a role model and would watch any other project I could find him on. 1988's My Secret Identity and Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss all the way up to Sliders, Scream 2, and so on. There aren't many celebrities that I'd like to hang out and just be friends with, but Jerry O'Connell has always been high on the list.
The first time I ever heard _"the fat kid from Stand by Me"_ was from Greg Giraldo at the Bob Saget roast.
I didn't know him from stand by me. As a Canadian youth, I watched him in "my secret identity". I've seen in sliders, but I saw him as the guy that was on my secret identity.
I was living in Singapore and our entire 5th grade class was at the Singapore American Club when we watched Stand by Me when it came out. I remember the next few weeks at school being all about the movie. The movie wouldn't have had the heart it did if anyone else had played Vern. Love that movie.
Jerry O'Connell was my favorite kid superhero. Never missed an episode of My Secret Identity. Still one of my favorite actors.
My first visit to Brownsville, Oregon was: 7-23-2023. It was worth the drive, for sure!
It's kind of great after hearing this interview that Jerry O'Connell gets to close out Star Trek : Lower Decks with Ransom saying, "Engage the core!"
That movie still holds up today. It came out when i was in 8th grade so i was the perfect age that could totally relate those 4 kids. My group of friends growing were exactly like each one of them. I was like Will Wheaton, one friend was like a River Phoenix tough guy. We had the weirdo in our group who was like Corey Feldman. Then we had the fat kid we all ribbed on.
I grew up with Stand By Me. I was “the fat kid” and was beat up because of it daily. I felt connected to his character and it was more than just surface level. I also used to watch SLIDERS episodes with my uncle occasionally when I was little. Not knowing it was the same actor. I rewatched the series a few years ago with my GF and she was really into it. I was diagnosed with ADHD and my dad refused to put me on meds. He’d say “just focus and do what you’re friggin supposed to do”. I get asked if I have ADHD I don’t have to tell anyone.
I’ve enjoyed a lot of things that Jerry O’Connell was in but My Secret Identity holds a special place in my memory, most of the family would sit and watch with me and that was rare.
Jerry! YOU were/Are my celebrity crush! I was born 2/19/1971 & thought because we were close in age, that we were meant to be! I'm so sorry you felt imposter syndrome. To me, you're ALWAYS on a pedestal! ❤❤❤❤
Jerry was an adorable chubby kid.
Jerry will always be best known for "You'll Never Guess My Secret Identity" and "Sliders"
Honestly though, he wasn’t even really “fat” he was bigger than them, yes.
But he wasn’t really FAT.
For the age they are and for a kid he would be considered fat. If it was like a 22 year old that had body fat like that you wouldn't think fat but because he's small and fat... and really no kids that age were fat like that other than the one or two so it's not shocking at all if he got teased. He was literally one summer and a growths spurt away from shedding that baby fat but it is what it is. One of the better looking men in Hollywood so I'd rather have the looks and confidence later and forever than peaking in HS or something
ikr, it's ridiculous, i wore glassed endured four-eyed comments yet somehow in my pedestrian life it doesn't haunt me..
he wasnt fat. The other kids were very skinny. He was average for his age and the time.
He was in a pie-eating contest 🤔
@ for sure. 100%
Just watched this clip and ordered Stand By Me on Amazon. Royalties on me Jerry. Your success couldn't have happened to a better guy.
30 years ago Jerry would run by my house everyday for like 2 years. 😎Dude was ripped.
"Could've been Wil Wheaton" was totally unacknowledged. Amazing.
Him and Brady both were slightly chubby in their early teens. Their commonality was both Irish blood, both ended up being tall and they both look like they could be brothers.
I've met Jerry a couple times because our kids are randomly in the friends of friends circles, been to different birthday parties or I've seen him running just on the beach in (well, I don't want to give away where)... but always the nicest, most humble guy you would ever meet. At one birthday party years ago, he and I were just helping cleaning up pizza boxes at this My Gym place in Woodland Hills, to help out (when our kids were super young). Just a regular guy. I work in the 'industry' as well, but hope to some day work with him.
Jerry and River are my fav and the cutest in Stand by Me❤❤
Great interview. Jerry is just so naturally funny. I love this.
Jerry was amazing to watch growing up. I loved Sliders and watched it with my dad all the time. Tomcats was great. I just really liked his charm and delivery. Always wanted him to do more movies and series. He's one of the reasons I saw a large "thing" in 3D float on the big screen.
He went on to marry the first woman I remember having a crush on when I was around 8-9 back in 1991/1992. Cut her out of magazines when she was just modeling clothes and undergarments. 😂 I was blown away watching her do film and thought wow, she's an actress now, a good one. Femme Fatale was amazing, she was great.
Vern from Stand By Me went on to marry Rebecca Romjin…..? This just gets better.
Dude you’re married to Rebecca Romijin,being the fat kid in a movie once isn’t a bad trade off😂. And it’s an an iconic film that became an instant classic
As a Gen-Xer I knew **about** Stand By Me, but never saw it until years later. I remember him first from My Secret Identity, and then Sliders.
Quinn Mallory and White Castle, name two more iconic sliders.
Love Jerry's character in stand by me, frikkin' great movie.
But his role in Sliders was his magnum opus imho
Just realised the Will Wheaton and Jerry tbbt connection...
I was a fat kid, and none of that bothers me today. If someone from back then said I was the fat kid from 6th grade, I would shrug and laugh.
Look at him now. This is ridiculous.
Sure, but you don't have random people in public calling you the fat kid from sixth grade for the past 40 years of your life.
When I was a kid, he was always Derek from Scream 2
Hey Jerry, i just wanted you to know i loved kangaroo jack, your so criminally underrated
He made the biggest impression out of that movie. Those actors went on to a long career, but he's one of the few that most people would still be excited about seeing in person, or work.
True. Although I would have loved to have seen what River Phoenix could have gone on to do if he hadn’t passed so early in life.
People would be 1000 times more excited to see River Phoenix, bot
One of the great movies in a great time of Hollywood
Most of the kids saying "fat kid" are fat guys now
Your married, still working
You got it all
Frankly, I’m happy for you that you are no longer the chubby kid from Stand By Me. I’m impressed. And I wish you all the best. As an always chubby girl, I always hoped to grow out of it, and did. Then the pandemic hit and everything changed.
Jerry is the bf from Scream 2 that got done dirty and the star of Sliders. I saw non stop press of him in the late 90’s as a sex symbol who was an inspiration for others to lose weight and look/feel good.
If it will make him feel better I didn’t realize he was in stand by me. I first remember him from Sliders which was a good show.
True story, my 11 year old daughter loves Stand By Me. This past weekend, my wife was watching Crossing Jordan, and I pointed Jerry out on the show and told her, "That's the guy that played Vern on Stand By Me." When she looked long enough for the face to click and she realized I wasn't lying, I told her, "That's why I always tell you not to pick on people in middle school. Eventually, you'll eat crow on that"
You'll always be the dude from Sliders to me, Jerry. Under-appreciated series. Even the final seasons without Jerry that were "bad" pushed the envelope on what could be shown on TV, so they were also good in a weird way.
He was never called the fat kid by anyone in Stand By Me except Jerry O'Connell's own character Vern. "Oh great! Spit at the fat kid! Real good!"
It'd be so interesting to see him and Ham from Sandlot have this conversation.
I was 10 when SBM came out, pretty sure I went to see it a couple times, loved that movie and wished I had friends that I was that close to.
It's because his entire existence was defined by a physical trait in such a way that people didn't even bother to learn his name.
He wasn't exactly a household name for a long time. People get stereotyped from their only known role, all the time.
This is interesting that a chubby O’Connell was casted as Verne because his character is not chunky or overweight in the book .. I suggest everyone that likes Stand By Me read the book the Body by Stephen king - the book which the movie is based off of .. it fleshes the characters out more and it’s quite a bit darker overall