Jason James Richter

Jason James Richter (born January 29, 1980) is an American actor, musician, producer, and director.

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.

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.

Filmography +Film Year Title RoleNotes 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

+Television 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" 2011Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior Matthew Keane Episode: "Nighthawk"

+Music videos Year Title Role Artist Director 1995 "Childhood" Jesse Michael Jackson Nicholas Brandt 2018 "Pink Honey" Tall Man Houses Brook Linder

Awards and nominations AwardYearCategoryNominatedworkResultYoung Artist Awards 1994 Best Youth Actor Leading Role in a Motion Picture: Drama Free Willy MTV Movie & TV Awards1994 Breakthrough Performance Free Willy Best Kiss Free Willy