From Stand by Me to Superman: A Journey Through Jerry O'Connell's Career

Back when he was just a kid, Jerry O'Connell made a splash in Hollywood at the tender age of 11. Alongside big names like Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, and Corey Feldman, he starred in Rob Reiner's 1986 adaptation of Stephen King's Stand by Me. It was a role that earned him critical acclaim early on. But unlike many child actors who fade into obscurity, Jerry has kept his career alive and thriving for over three decades. Sure, he hasn’t always had the smoothest ride with critics or fans, but recently, he's been getting some well-deserved recognition—and the reason might surprise you.

“I’ve been in big movies like Jerry Maguire, Stand by Me, and Scream 2, but you know what got me the highest rating on Rotten Tomatoes?" Jerry asks, almost like he’s sharing a secret with a close friend. "It’s The Death of Superman. That’s my crown jewel, man!”

Bringing the Man of Steel to Life

What Jerry is referring to here is the 2018 animated film The Death of Superman, where he lent his voice to the iconic superhero, Superman. This wasn’t a one-off gig for Jerry; he’s continued to voice the Man of Steel in several animated films, including Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015), Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016), Justice League Dark (2017), Reign of the Supermen (2019), Batman: Hush (2019), and the latest release, Justice League Dark: Apokalips War.

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Being part of these films has given Jerry a level of "street cred" that he cherishes deeply. "It’s such an honor to be a part of something so meaningful to so many people," Jerry emphasizes. "I know it might sound corny, but it really is. My psychiatrist tells me not to read tweets or comments, but I can’t help myself. You get compared to everyone who’s ever played or voiced Superman, or even any other superhero. And it’s wild, because when I walk around at Comic-Con, everyone’s throwing out high-fives, and no one gives me a side-eye. It’s kind of funny, but typically on social media, people say some nasty things about me, except when it comes to voicing Superman. The worst I’ve gotten is that I’m 'pretty good.' There’s none of that, 'I can’t stand this guy, get him out of here.'"

An Unexpected Perk of Voicing Superman

Beyond the world of superhero fandom, Jerry has experienced a real-life perk that caught him completely off guard. "A couple of months ago, I went to the DMV to get a Real ID," he shares with a chuckle. "There was this massive line, and I’d already been there for about an hour. I figured I had another one or two hours ahead of me. I was just messing around on my phone when someone came up to me and said, 'Hey, are you waiting for a Real ID?' I said, 'Yeah,' and he told me to come with him. I’d already filled out all my forms and told him, 'My number hasn’t been called yet,' and he just said, 'Don’t worry about it.' I paid the fee, thanked the guy, and he said, 'Hey, man, I love you as Superman!' He actually recognized me as a voice actor and as the voice of Superman. How mind-blowing is that?"

Superman's Relevance in the 21st Century

While hardcore Superman fans might argue that the "real" Man of Steel wouldn’t need such a perk (though, let’s be honest, would he really need an enhanced driver’s license?), Jerry firmly believes that Superman remains incredibly relevant in today’s world. "Not to get too hokey," he reflects, "but we’re living in a pretty tumultuous and fragile time right now in society. I think Superman really represents the ideals of safety, security, and being a guardian. He’s a symbol of hope in a world that often feels like it’s falling apart."

A Final Chapter for Superman?

Looking at the bigger picture, Justice League Dark: Apokalips War—which sees Superman, the Justice League, supernatural heroes like John Constantine (voiced by Matt Ryan), and others fighting to save the world from the powerful Darkseid (voiced by Tony Todd)—might be wrapping up a story arc that’s been unfolding across these films. If this marks Jerry’s final turn as the Man of Steel, it’s been quite the journey for him.