Son of Linda Witkowsky, art teacher, and Michael O’Connel, a director of an advertising agency, is of Irish and Polish descent.
O’Connel He grew up in Manhattan, and has a younger brother named Charlie O’Connel, who is also an actor.
Jerry began his career since childhood, because when he was a child he made a commercial for Duncan Hines Cookies, and later, with 11 years of age, landed his first role in the film of Rob reiner “Count on me“, In which he had the role of Vern tessio.
He studied at the Professional Children’s School, and later attended the New York University, in which he studied cinema.
Throughout his career, O’Connel has had regular appearances in series such as “My Secret Identity”, In which she played Andrew Clements between 1988 and 1991, he gained recognition for the role of Quinn mallory on “Sliders”, In which he was between 1995 and 1999, he played the Detective Woody Hoyt on “Crossing Jordan“, A role that he repeated in some episodes of”Las Vegas“, It was Laird on “Carpoolers“, Y Neal on “Do Not Disturb”.
He was also a guest actor in countless programs, including “Charles in Charge“,”Night visions“,”MADtv“,”Without a trace“,”Justice league“,”Ugly Betty“,”Samantha Who?“,”Eastwick“, And more recently he recorded the pilot of”Rex Is Not Your Lawyer”, A series that has not yet been released.
Since 2010 he can be seen in the role of Pete kaczmarek on “The Defenders”.
On the big screen, his credits include films such as “The calendar girl“, starring Jason priestley Y Gabriel Olds, “Jerry maguire”, In which he acted alongside Tom cruise Y Renée zellweger, played Derek on “Scream 2“, Participated in the romantic comedy”I can’t wait anymore“, In the thriller”Mission to mars“, Was the protagonist of the comedy”Kangaroo Jack“, And worked on others such as”Mine, yours and ours“,”Room 6“,”Baby on board“And more recently in the thriller”Obsessed”, In which he worked together with Beyoncé, Idris Elba Y Ali larter.
He could also be seen in several television films such as “Ollie Hopnoodle’s Haven of Bliss“,”What the Deaf Man Heard“,”Romeo fire” Y “Midnight bayou“, among others.
O’Connell He also participated in the video clip of Mariah Carey “Heartbreaker”.
Regarding his personal life, he was known to have relationships with Sarah Michelle Gellar Y Debra Pelletier, but since 2007 he has been married to the actress Rebecca romijn, with whom he has twins.