Wikipedia

Chris O'Donnell

(Redirected from Chris O’Donnell)

Christopher Eugene O'Donnell (born June 26, 1970) is an American actor. After modeling and acting in numerous commercials as a teenager, he made his film debut in the comedy-drama film Men Don't Leave (1990). Following supporting roles in the films Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) and School Ties (1992), O'Donnell had his breakout with a starring role in the drama film Scent of a Woman (1992), which earned him a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture.

Chris O'Donnell
O'Donnell at the premiere of Max Payne at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, October 2008
Born
Christopher Eugene O'Donnell

(1970-06-26) June 26, 1970 (age 56)
Winnetka, Illinois, U.S.
EducationBoston College (BS)
OccupationActor
Years active1986–present
Spouse
Caroline Fentress
​
(m. 1997)​
Children5

After starring roles in the films The Three Musketeers (1993) and Circle of Friends (1995), O'Donnell received further mainstream recognition for his role as Dick Grayson / Robin in the DC Comics superhero films Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997), as well as his portrayal of writer Ernest Hemingway in the romantic drama film In Love and War (1996). In the 2000s, O'Donnell starred in the films Vertical Limit (2000), Kinsey (2004), and Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008), and had a main role as Jack McAuliffe in the TNT television miniseries The Company (2007).

O'Donnell starred in the main role of G. Callen on all fourteen seasons of the CBS police procedural series NCIS: Los Angeles (2009–2023). He also starred in the spy comedy film Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010), and has a main role as Don Hart on the ABC series 9-1-1: Nashville (2025–present).

Early life

edit

O'Donnell was born in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka, Illinois, the son of Julie Ann Rohs von Brecht and William Charles O'Donnell Sr., a general manager of WBBM-AM.[1][2] He is the youngest of seven children, with four sisters and two brothers, and is of German and Irish descent.[3][4] He grew up in a Catholic family and attended Catholic schools.[5] He graduated from Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois, in 1988.[6][7]

O'Donnell attended Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing in 1992.[8][9] He had begun modeling at the age of 13 so he was comfortable in front of cameras and also had made commercials.[10][9]

Career

edit

O'Donnell appeared in numerous commercials as a teenager, advertising Cap'n Crunch cereal and Fruit Roll-Ups snacks. In a McDonald's fast food commercial, he served NBA great Michael Jordan. An early television series role was an appearance on the TV series Jack and Mike in 1986. In the early 1990s, he appeared in several films including Men Don't Leave (1990), starring Jessica Lange; Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), appearing again with Kathy Bates from Men Don't Leave; School Ties (1992); and Scent of a Woman (1992) with Al Pacino. For the latter he received two nominations: one for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor-Motion Picture (which was won by Gene Hackman for Unforgiven), and one for a Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Actor (which he won). He was also named one of the 12 Promising New Actors of 1992 in John Willis's Screen World, Vol. 44.

After appearing in the film Blue Sky (1994), reuniting him with Jessica Lange,[11] he starred in Circle of Friends (1995) with Minnie Driver,[12] Mad Love (1995) with Drew Barrymore,[13] and In Love and War (1996) with Sandra Bullock.[14] O'Donnell played the character of Dick Grayson/Robin in Batman Forever, in which Barrymore also had a role.[15] Reportedly, the field of candidates for the role of Robin included Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Ewan McGregor, Corey Haim, Toby Stephens, and Scott Speedman.[16][17]

Casting directors narrowed their choices to O'Donnell and DiCaprio, and finally selected O'Donnell. He reportedly was considered by 20th Century Fox studios to play the lead role of Jack Dawson in Titanic (1997), but that role was won by DiCaprio.[18] O'Donnell had a starring role in 1996's The Chamber, based on the John Grisham novel of the same name.[19] He reprised his role as Robin in 1997's Batman & Robin.[19] Although it was a box-office success, the movie was critically panned and regularly appears on the list of films considered the worst.[20] O'Donnell later said that he did not believe it turned out well.[21]

O'Donnell did not appear in another movie for two years. He was the choice of one of the producers for the role of James Darrell Edwards III/Agent J in Men in Black (1997),[22] but he turned it down as being too similar to his role in Batman Forever.[citation needed] Will Smith played this role.[23] The subsequent films Cookie's Fortune (1999) and The Bachelor (1999) were moderately successful, while Vertical Limit (2000) was a box office hit.

After a four-year hiatus, O'Donnell returned in 2004 with the film Kinsey.[19] He also appeared in the 2004 episode of Two and a Half Men, entitled "An Old Flame with a New Wick."[24] O'Donnell took a lead role in the Fox Network television series Head Cases in 2005. The show was the first of the fall 2005 season to be canceled,[citation needed] and only two episodes were aired.[25] He was subsequently cast as veterinarian Finn Dandridge on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy.[26]

O'Donnell and Mark Harmon filming NCIS, 2009

O'Donnell was featured in the TNT miniseries The Company as CIA case officer Jack McAuliffe, a character who progressed from being a spoonfed Yale elitist to jaded, post-Cold War cynic.[27] In 2008, he appeared in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl as the titular character's father Jack Kittredge,[28] and in Max Payne as Jason Colvin.[29]

From 2009 to 2023, O'Donnell starred on NCIS: Los Angeles, a spin-off of NCIS, as G. Callen,[30] an NCIS Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Special Projects Team stationed in Los Angeles. CBS calls Callen "a chameleon who transforms himself into whomever he needs to be to infiltrate the criminal underworld."[31] In 2010, O'Donnell appeared in the sequel to the 2001 movie Cats & Dogs, The Revenge of Kitty Galore.[32] During an appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark on October 7, 2025 he talked about the Batman Forever props he has (costumes including outfits, one of which is from the circus aerialist scene). He has his motorcycle helmet from the film. Referring to another prop of his, a costume from The Three Musketeers, he said "even my dad wore it for Halloween one year."[33]

Personal life

edit

O'Donnell married Caroline Fentress in April 1997 at St. Patrick Church in Washington, D.C.[34] They have five children.[35][36][37]

Filmography

edit

Film

edit
YearTitleRoleNotes
1990Men Don't LeaveChris Macauley
1991Fried Green TomatoesBuddy Threadgoode
1992School TiesChris Reece
Scent of a WomanCharlie Simms
1993The Three MusketeersD'Artagnan
1994Blue SkyGlenn Johnson
1995Circle of FriendsJack Foley
Mad LoveMatt Leland
Batman ForeverDick Grayson/Robin
1996The ChamberAdam Hall
In Love and WarErnest "Ernie" Hemingway
1997Batman & RobinDick Grayson/Robin
1999Cookie's FortuneJason Brown
The BachelorJimmie Shannon
2000Vertical LimitPeter Garrett
200229 PalmsThe Hitman
2004KinseyWardell Pomeroy
2005The SistersDavid Turzin
2008Kit Kittredge: An American GirlJack Kittredge
Max PayneJason Colvin
2010Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty GaloreShane
A Little HelpBob Pehlke
2016PGMaxShort film

Television

edit
YearTitleRoleNotes
1986Jack and MikeEvanEpisode: "Cry Uncle"
1999Y2KN/aTV movie; Producer only
Miracle on the 17th GreenN/a TV movie; Also executive producer
2001The TriangleN/a
2003The PracticeBrad Stanfield4 episodes
2004Two and a Half MenBill ShraderEpisode: "An Old Flame with a New Wick"
The Amazing WestermansTV movie
2005Head CasesJason Payne2 episodes
2006Grey's AnatomyDr. Finn "McVet" Dandridge9 episodes
2007The CompanyJack McAuliffeTV miniseries
2009 & 2023NCISG. Callen3 episodes
2009–2023NCIS: Los Angeles323 episodes[38]
2010WWII in HD: The Air WarJohn GibbonsVoice
2012Hawaii Five-0G. CallenEpisode: "Pa Make Loa"
2013Who Do You Think You Are?HimselfEpisode: "Chris O'Donnell"
2014Robot ChickenMr. Fantastic / Commander Rex KlingVoice; Episode: "Catdog on a Stick"
2017American Dad!G. CallenVoice; Episode: "Casino Normale"
2017 & 2021The Price Is RightHimself2 episodes
2023NCIS: HawaiʻiG. CallenEpisode: "Deep Fake"
BupkisPete's AgentEpisode: "Crispytown"; uncredited
2025–present 9-1-1: Nashville Don Hart Main role

References

edit
  1. ↑ "Chris O'Donnell Biography – Yahoo! Movies". Movies.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  2. ↑ Kessler, Mike (December 8, 2010). "William C. O'Donnell dies at 88 — Winnetka & Northfield news, photos and events —". Triblocal.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  3. ↑ Polunsky, Bob. "Express-News Archives : MySA.com".
  4. ↑ "Actor's roles range from the birds & the bees to just a bird – Robin.(Originated from The Virginian-Pilot)". Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. April 13, 1995.
  5. ↑ "Music News". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007.
  6. ↑ "Actor Chris O'Donnell sells seldom-used townhouse here". Chicago Tribune. February 10, 2002.
  7. ↑ "Chris O'Donnell from 'NCIS LA': Age, net worth, family, children". November 26, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Boston College to Celebrate 150 Years with Concert at Symphony Hall". March 19, 2013.
  9. 1 2 "Chris O'Donnell helps Boston College celebrate 150 years". www.boston.com.
  10. ↑ "Watch! Magazine Photos on CBS" – via www.cbs.com.
  11. ↑ "Blue Sky". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Circle of Friends". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Mad Love". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  14. ↑ "In Love and War | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Batman Forever". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  16. ↑ Hutchinson, Sam (September 1, 2020). "Robin: 10 Actors Who Almost Played The Boy Wonder". CBR. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  17. ↑ Johnson, Rachel (December 14, 2024). "10 Actors Who Almost Played Robin in 'Batman Forever'". MovieWeb. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  18. ↑ "'Titanic' Casting: What Other Stars Were Considered For James Cameron's Masterpiece?". HuffPost. June 22, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  19. 1 2 3 "Chris O'Donnell". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Batman & Robin Reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  21. ↑ "'Batman Forever' 20 Years Later: Chris O'Donnell Looks Back on the Franchise". June 16, 2015.
  22. ↑ Guerrasio, Jason. "'Men in Black' director says he purposely downplayed the movie to Chris O'Donnell so he could cast Will Smith instead". Business Insider. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Trivia for Men in Black". at the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
  24. ↑ "Two and a Half Men: Season 1, Episode 18 | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  25. ↑ Mitovich, Ryan Schwartz, Matt Webb (November 28, 2024). "Talking Turkeys: Revisit TV's Shortest-Lived Series of All Time!". TVLine. Retrieved April 6, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. ↑ "Chris O'Donnell on the possibility of returning to 'Grey's Anatomy'". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  27. ↑ "The Company". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Max Payne". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  30. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (February 27, 2009). "O'Donnell nabs lead role in "NCIS" spin-off". Reuters. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2009.
  31. ↑ "NCIS Los Angeles". CBS. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  32. ↑ Radish, Christina (July 29, 2010). "Chris O'Donnell Interview CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE". Collider. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Chris O'Donnell Swings by the Studio to Talk ABC's "9-1-1"". October 7, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  34. ↑ Smith, Russel Scott (December 8, 2000). "Chris O'Donnell's Personal High". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  35. ↑ Chiu, Alexis (December 18, 2007). "Chris O'Donnell and Wife Have Fifth Baby". People. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  36. ↑ "Chris O'Donnell's Daughter Steals the Show on 'NCIS: Los Angeles' Set". ET Online. October 12, 2015.
  37. ↑ Donahue, Wendy (November 25, 2014). "Johnnie-O label finds sweet spot between East and West Coast prep". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  38. ↑ "People's Choice Awards 2017: Full List Of Winners". People's Choice. January 19, 2017. Archived from the original on January 20, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chris_O%27Donnell&oldid=1358914025"