Jason James Richter
Jason James Richter 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, Last Call, and The NeverEnding Story III. 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 and The Last Rampage. 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.
Early life
Richter was born on January 29, 1980.Career
Richter starred as Jesse in Free Willy, 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
| 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" |
| 1997 | Rugrats | Ringo the Bull | Episode: "He Saw, She Saw/Piggy's Pizza Palace" |
| 2001 | Mega Movie Magic | Himself | Episode: "Free Willy 2/Independence Day" |
| 2009 | Bones | Clown No. 2 | Episode: "Double Trouble in the Panhandle" |
| 2011 | Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior | Matthew Keane | Episode: "Nighthawk" |
| Year | Title | Role | Artist | Director |
| 1995 | "Childhood" | Jesse | Michael Jackson | Nicholas Brandt |
| 2018 | "Pink Honey" | Tall Man | Houses | Brook Linder |