What Happened to Jeremiah O'Connell?

Jerry O'Connell's career began at a remarkably young age, with his breakout role as Vern Tessio in the critically acclaimed 1986 film "Stand By Me" when he was just eleven years old. This early success set the stage for a diverse career that has spanned over four decades, encompassing film, television, and voice acting. After "Stand By Me," O'Connell continued with television roles in shows like "My Secret Identity" (1988-1991) and later gained significant recognition as Quinn Mallory in the popular science fiction series "Sliders" (1995-2000), where he also directed and wrote several episodes.

Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, O'Connell balanced television work with notable film appearances in movies such as "Jerry Maguire" (1996), "Scream 2" (1997), "Joe's Apartment" (1996), and "Kangaroo Jack" (2003). He also had a long-running role as Detective Woody Hoyt on the NBC drama "Crossing Jordan" from 2001 to 2007. His adaptability allowed him to navigate Hollywood's shifting landscape, taking on various genres from comedy to horror and drama. In 2007, he married actress Rebecca Romijn, and they have twin daughters.

A significant turning point in O'Connell's career came with his pivot towards television hosting. After numerous guest-hosting stints on shows like "Live with Kelly and Mark" and "The Wendy Williams Show," he joined CBS's "The Talk" as a permanent co-host in July 2021, becoming the show's first male panelist. This role solidified his presence in daytime television, where his charismatic and affable personality resonated with audiences. Concurrently, he hosted the syndicated game show "Pictionary" from its launch in 2022 until its final episode in May 2025. He also co-hosted the reality romance series "The Real Love Boat" with his wife in 2022.

As of 2026, O'Connell remains highly active. While "The Talk" concluded its 15-season run in 2024, he has quickly moved on to new opportunities. In February 2026, he undertook a week-long co-hosting stint on Fox 5's "Good Day New York" alongside Rosanna Scotto, which is serving as a trial run for a potential new daily talk show for Fox Television Stations in major markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. He is also slated to appear in new acting projects, including the Tubi original comedy "Summer's Last Resort," which was in production as of January 2026, and has been announced to join the cast of the new CBS spinoff "S.W.A.T. Exiles," which wrapped its first season filming in February 2026. His voice work continues with his recurring role as Commander Jack Ransom in the animated series "Star Trek: Lower Decks."

In March 2026, O'Connell made headlines following his appearance on Bill Maher's "Club Random" podcast. During the March 16 episode, he candidly discussed his wife Rebecca Romijn and their daughters' strong, physical reaction to his comments about Kamala Harris's loss in the 2024 presidential election. He also made lighthearted remarks about his wife's vape pen use and its impact on their intimacy. These recent public comments highlight his continued presence in popular culture and his willingness to share aspects of his personal life. His estimated net worth in 2026 is $20 million, a combined figure with his wife Rebecca Romijn, reflecting his sustained career in entertainment.