Let’s rewind to 2017 when Jerry O’Connell didn’t land the cohost role on Live! with Kelly Ripa. Instead, the show went with none other than Ryan Seacrest. But don’t get it twisted—Jerry’s not bitter about it. In fact, he’s surprisingly chill about the whole thing. "I would have loved to host with Kelly," the 46-year-old joked exclusively to Closer Weekly. "But you know what? I get it. They chose the most famous guy on the planet. What can you do?"
Still Friends After All These Years
Here's the deal: Jerry and Kelly remain good friends even after the hosting gig didn’t pan out. "Everything happens for a reason," Jerry shares. "I’m super close with Kelly. We chat all the time. Honestly, Ryan Seacrest is a huge name in the industry. How do you top that? He's one of those people who’s just impossible to replace." It’s clear Jerry respects both Kelly and Ryan, and he’s not letting this missed opportunity get him down.
From Live! to The Jerry O' Show
Before Ryan Seacrest officially stepped into the cohost role, Jerry had already made appearances alongside Kelly on Live! back in 2016. Their chemistry was undeniable, but unfortunately, it didn’t lead to a permanent spot for Jerry. No worries though—Jerry took his talents elsewhere and launched his own talk show, The Jerry O’ Show, in August 2019. But unfortunately, the show didn’t quite take off as hoped. "It’s not going so well," Jerry admits to Closer. "It’s such a bummer. I gave it my all, but sometimes things just don’t work out. I’d say it’s dead. Yeah, it’s dead." Ouch.
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What's Next for Jerry O'Connell?
Luckily for Jerry, he’s got other irons in the fire. He recently starred in the movie Ballbusters and his latest flick with Katie Holmes, The Secret: Dare to Dream, which premiered on July 31, 2020. This film offers a fictional take on the self-help classic, The Secret. "In the movie, my character is the guy who holds Katie Holmes back in life," Jerry explains. "Then she meets Josh Lucas, and he shows her what her true potential is. Spoiler alert—I might get left behind!" he adds with a laugh.
