Jesse Bradford Explained

Jesse Bradford
Birth Name:Jesse Bradford Watrouse
Birth Date:28 May 1979
Birth Place:Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S
Education:Columbia University
Occupation:Actor
Spouse(S):Andrea Leal
Children:1
Yearsactive:1984–present
Signature:JesseBradford.png

Jesse Bradford (born Jesse Bradford Watrouse; May 28, 1979) is an American actor. He began his career as a child actor at the age of five and received two Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film nominations for his performances in King of the Hill in 1993 and in 1995.

Early life

Bradford was born Jesse Bradford Watrouse in Norwalk, Connecticut, the only child of actors Terry Porter and Curtis Watrouse, who appeared in commercials, soap operas, and industrial films. His mother also played his character's mother in Hackers (1995). Bradford's cousins are Jonathan Svec (a member of the bands Splender and Edison) and Sarah Messer, a writer and poet. He began acting at the age of eight months, appearing in a Q-Tip commercial. At his parents' encouragement, Bradford began modeling and auditioning for acting roles. His first film appearance was as Robert De Niro's son in Falling in Love (1984).

He graduated from Brien McMahon High School, where he was a self-described geology nerd. He was Homecoming King, captain of the tennis team, and was voted "best looking" and "favorite actor" by his high school class (although he was not in the drama club).[1] He went on to attend Columbia University, from which he graduated in 2002 with a degree in film.

Career

As a child actor, Bradford starred in the well-reviewed films Prancer (1989), Presumed Innocent (1990), King of the Hill (1993), and (1995). Subsequently, he has had several notable roles in motion pictures, including Romeo + Juliet (1996) and Bring It On (2000), playing the romantic interest.[2] In 2002, he appeared as the lead in two films — Clockstoppers and Swimfan. He also had a minor role as White House intern Ryan Pierce for nine episodes during the fifth season of The West Wing.

Bradford played the role of Rene Gagnon in the 2006 film Flags of Our Fathers, based on the book of the same name by James Bradley. The film is about the Battle of Iwo Jima and was directed by Academy Award-winning director Clint Eastwood. In 2009, Bradford was cast as one of the leads in I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, based on Tucker Max's bestselling book.

Bradford was in the main cast of the short-lived NBC courtroom drama series Outlaw in 2010.[3] [4]

In 2016, he was in three episodes of Code Black.[5]

Personal life

Bradford is married to Andrea Leal.[6] They have a daughter, Maggie, born 29 May 2021, the day after his own birthday.[7]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984Falling in LoveJoe Raftis
1989PrancerBoy #1
1990Presumed InnocentNat Sabich
1990My Blue HeavenJamie
1991Mike Love
1993King of the HillAaron
1995Angus McCormick
1995HackersJoey Pardella
1996Romeo + JulietBalthasar
1998Billy Willis (age 14)
1999Speedway JunkyJohnny
2000Cherry FallsRod Harper
2000Bring It OnCliff Pantone
2000Dancing at the Blue IguanaJorge
2001According to SpencerSpencer
2002ClockstoppersZak Gibbs
2002SwimfanBen Cronin
2004EulogyRyan Carmichael
2005Happy EndingsNicky
2005HeightsAlec
2006Flags of Our FathersRene Gagnon
2008My Sassy GirlCharlie Bellow
2008Bobby Reynolds
2008W.Thatcher
2009Table for ThreeRyan
2009I Hope They Serve Beer in HellDrew
2010Perfect LifeJack Parsons
2011You're a WolfTylerShort film
2011Son of MorningDavid
2012Item 47Bennie PollackShort film
2013Dom
201310 Rules for Sleeping AroundVince Johnson
2015Badge of HonorMike Gallo
2016Colton
2016Dead AwakeEvan
2017The Year of Spectacular MenAaron Ezra
2018California NoColton
2018The Day of Matthew MontgomeryMatthew MontgomeryShort Film
2022Merry Kiss CamDanny Carmody Jr.

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1986Classified LoveAnthonyTV film
1991Walter Farmer Jr.TV film
1993TribecaJoshEpisode: "The Rainmaker"
2003–2004Ryan PierceRecurring role; 9 episodes
2006Twenty QuestionsJackson LynchTV film
2009Dr. Seth EastmanUnsold TV pilot
2010OutlawEddie FranksMain role; 8 episodes
2011Other People's KidsAdamTV film
2012–2013Guys with KidsChrisMain role; 18 episodes
2014SequesteredDanny FermanMain role; 12 episodes
2016Code BlackGordon HeshmanEpisodes: "First Date", "The Fifth Stage", "Diagnosis of Exclusion"
2016, 2019TeachersJacobEpisode: "Jacob" and "Thoughts and Bears"
2016LoveCarlEpisode: "Party in the Hills"
2016NCISJohn BishopEpisode: "Enemy Combatant"
2017–2018ShooterHarris DowneyRecurring role
2018DeceptionRafe WillemsEpisode: "Black Art"
2019Magnum P.I.Neal ConlanEpisode: "Lie, Cheat, Steal, Kill"

Notes and References

  1. Fenwick, Alexandra, "Star earns stripes: Brien McMahon graduate stars in Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers," article in The Advocate of Stamford, October 29, 2006, pp. 1, A6
  2. News: Finn . Natalie . Machado . Baker . April 14, 2015 . New Couple Alert: Azealia Banks Dating Jesse Bradford! . E! News . January 4, 2019.
  3. Web site: NBC Unveils 2010–2011 Primetime Schedule Accented by Five New Comedies, Seven New Dramas, and New Alternative Program. May 16, 2010. The Futon Critic. May 28, 2010.
  4. News: Hernandez . Greg . Jesse Bradford thinks "politics in America are particularly polarized" HollywoodNews.com . January 4, 2019 . www.hollywoodnews.com.
  5. News: Leitereg . Neal J. . Actor Jesse Bradford posts Richard Dorman-designed home for $3 million . January 4, 2019 . Los Angeles Times . November 14, 2018.
  6. Web site: Jesse Bradford on Instagram: "via my wife @andreawatrouse ❤️". Instagram. en. February 4, 2023.
  7. Web site: Jesse Bradford on Instagram: "Meet Maggie. Born May 29th, 2021. The day after her daddy. Feeling so lucky to say that our new family is happy and healthy. And super grateful for @lamidwifeabby @ccmeyer @drsteverad & the post Partum nurses at @cedarssinai " . October 31, 2022 . Instagram . en.