"Mission to Mars" Star

March 08, 2000

Jerry O'Connell talks about the hit movie, "Mission to Mars" and all the ins and out of being an actor!

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CosmoGIRL: Welcome to our chat with "Mission to Mars" star Jerry O'Connell This chat is sponsored by CosmoGIRL! --a magazine for REAL girls with REAL issues. Log on at www.cosmogirl.com Welcome Jerry!

Jerry O’Connell: Hey guys! Thanks for tuning in! This will be a good time!

Cage: You started acting classes at an early age - how much of a boost was this in terms of your adult career?

Jerry O’Connell: It was a big deal, getting to work with the likes of Tim Robbins and Gary Sinise. My first day, I felt I should be getting them coffee, not acting with them. As for the classes, it definitely helps with self-esteem when asked to perform. I suggest everyone, when in school, join the drama club. It's also a good way to get girls!

ManolisVarnas: Jerry at what age did you know that you wanted to act and how did you get the role for your wonderful movie "Stand By Me?"

Jerry O’Connell: I decided I wanted to act right after I did a Duncan Hines chocolate chip cookie commercial. I was paid to eat cookies for three days straight, and realized this was the business for me! They picked me at school for "Stand By Me." A casting assistant spotted me, and got me the role.

NoodlesTheCat: Jerry, in what movies have you appeared so far, and what was the best role you ever played?

Jerry O’Connell: Most likely my role in "Mission to Mars." It was really exciting to put on a space suit every day. I looked really cool in it! I've been in "Calendar Girl" and "Jerry Maguire" - I was the quarterback. "Joe's Apartment" too, the cockroach movie.

Nanny35: Jerry what did you chew when you took that picture for the premiere in your space suit?

Jerry O’Connell: I was chewing bubble gum. I love bubble gum!

MarsGuy: Do you believe that there is life on other planets, that there are aliens?

Jerry O’Connell: Definitely. I am an actor, so I'm pretty self-centered. But it's pretty selfish to think that we, as humans, are the only life out there. I truly felt that this film not only answers questions about who we are, but where we came from. It's a cool movie. Everybody should check it out.

Spiffy415: What director would you love to work with?

Jerry O’Connell: I loved working with De Palma - he is technically the most talented director I've ever worked with. I would be willing to be his personal pedicurist to work with him again! I would love to be part of the new "Star Wars" film. Also I met with Billy Crystal to play Roger Marris in an HBO movie. I'd like to see that happen. For those of you who don't know, Roger Marris held the home run record for over 30 years before McGwire broke it.

Bubberand: Did you play football in high school? How did you get so buff for "Jerry Maguire?"

Jerry O’Connell: A lot of steak, and lot of pushups! I was actually much more muscular in "Mission to Mars" - these astronauts are in tip-top shape. I was totally buffed out.

Spiffy415: Jerry, what was the final score for the Knicks game last night?

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