Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Sweet Birthday Shoutout From Jerry O'Connell Prompts Emotional Response From Wil Wheaton

Wil Wheaton; Jerry O'Connell
Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Paramount+, JC Olivera/Getty Images

The 'Standy By Me' costars shared a heartwarming exchange on Instagram to mark Wheaton's 51st birthday.

Actor Wil Wheaton penned an emotional response after his Stand By Me costar Jerry O'Connell posted a sweet birthday message for Wheaton's 51st birthday on Instagram.

The two have kept in touch and remained good friends since they costarred as kids in the iconic 1986 coming-of-age film based on Stephen King's short story The Body.


To celebrate Wheaton's birthday, O'Connell, 49, shared a photo of him planting a kiss on Wheaton's forehead.

He quoted Stand By Me in the caption:

"Never had friends like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?"

"Happy BDay," wrote O'Connell and tagged his longtime buddy.

The first line from O'Connell's sentimental message should resonate with fans of Stand By Me as it comes from the closing moments of the film.

Wheaton–who also portrayed Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation–played the 12-year-old version of the character Gordon "Gordie" Lachance.

Gordon winds up becoming a writer who pens a memoir reflecting on a childhood memory involving three friends with whom he develops a tight bond when they go searching for the body of a missing boy during Labor Day weekend in 1959.

In response to O'Connell quoting from the movie, Wheaton wrote:

I've heard that phrase since we were twelve. Today is the first time it made me cry."
"I'm so grateful we are still in each other's lives."

@itswilwheaton

In a May 2021 interview with Yahoo! Entertainment, Wheaton opened up about his struggles as a child actor and the emotional trauma he suffered at home–which informed his performance in Stand By Me as he shared the same family issues as his character.

Up until then, Wheaton kept his pain a secret from his Stand By Me costars during filming.

After he candidly discussed his childhood trauma, O'Connell expressed regret for not being aware of Wheaton's struggles during filming for Stand By Me.

On April 14 during his daytime show, The Talk, O'Connell told Wheaton:

"I heard before you talk about some of the struggles you were going through during Stand By Me."
"And while I was 11 at the time, that’s an excuse. I do want to apologize for not being there more for you when you were younger."
"I want to say in the bigger picture, you never know what someone is going through when you’re with them."
"I don’t feel guilt, but I just wanted to say I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you more."

Fans were moved by O'Connell's birthday message for Wheaton and their close bond.

Social media users also wished Wheaton a happy birthday.

@itswilwheaton

@itswilwheaton

@itswilwheaton

@itswilwheaton


@itswilwheaton


@itswilwheaton

@itswilwheaton

@itswilwheaton

@itswilwheaton

Stand By Me was directed by Rob Reiner.

Wheaton and O'Connell co-starred with the late River Phoenix and fellow child star Corey Feldman.

The critically-acclaimed movie adaptation was nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar.

More from Entertainment/tv-and-movies

Screenshot of John Larson
Rep. John Larson/YouTube

Dem Rep. Rips GOP Colleagues For Blocking Musk's Testimony About DOGE In Fiery Rant

Connecticut Democratic Representative John Larson criticized billionaire Elon Musk for not being present to testify at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing about the advisory Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), additionally ripping Musk for pushing for cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

After President Donald Trump appointed Musk to lead DOGE in January, tasking him with rooting out federal government waste and corruption, the department has faced mounting scrutiny. Lawmakers have raised concerns about DOGE’s growing influence on the Trump administration and its decision-making processes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @samstrays_somewhere's Instagram video
@samstrays_somewhere/Instagram

American Influencer Blasted After Snatching Baby Wombat From Its Mother While In Australia

Social media clout-chasing hit another low when an American influencer snatched a screaming baby wombat away from its mother for a content stunt while visiting Australia.

Now, she may be banned from the country.

Keep ReadingShow less
Man looking out into the ocean
Nicholas Barbaros/Unsplash

People Break Down Which Adult Problems No One Prepared Them For

No one can really prepare you for the unique challenges ahead when you start adulting.

Any advice you've been given is certainly helpful, but they don't always apply to unforeseen circumstances.

Keep ReadingShow less

People Break Down How They've Been Genetically Blessed And Cursed

People who draw attention online, especially if they are particularly beautiful, have gorgeous, healthy hair, or are especially talented, are always met with comments like, "God knew I'd be too powerful if I had that" or "If I could do that, I'd be insufferable."

And it does seem to be laughably true that while some people seem to "have it all," there are others who needed to be humbled a little bit, or else they'd be totally insufferable.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scarlett Johansson
Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Scarlett Johansson Gives Iconic Explanation For Why She Won't Take Photos With Fans In Public

MCU Actor Scarlett Johansson recently spoke with InStyle magazine and shared a strict personal policy about not being photographed with fans when she's out in public.

“It really offends a lot of people,” she said, explaining why she wants to avoid fan photos when she's not on a film set.

Keep ReadingShow less