Chris O’Donnell became known as Batman’s sidekick. When the film roles didn’t materialize, he became a “NCIS” star. Doesn’t sound unusual. But his career is more varied than you imagine! It offers pizza, a dance show and the “New Kids”.
Anyone who is more interested in movies than in series may have asked themselves where this or that movie star of the past has actually gone. Every generation knows such actors whose film careers go through deep valleys after great success. But some manage to fight their way back. A prime example of this is Keanu Reeves, who has had several comebacks throughout his career.
Another notable example of career versatility is Chris O’Donnell! Since the early 1990s, he has been cast mostly in supporting roles in various and varied projects (more on that later). Over the course of the 2000s, he didn’t get any big roles – at least in the cinema. But as an investigator of a spin-off of the long-running TV series “Navy CIS“His career really blossomed again. But first things first.
From movie star to series star…
O’Donnell didn’t completely disappear from the big screen, but we still prefer to ignore titles like “Cats & Dogs – The Revenge of Kitty Kahlohr” (2010). As bleak as things may have looked for O’Donnell in the cinema sector, there were still profitable alternatives for him. One of them was a TV career – in front of and behind (!) the camera.
In 2009 he played the role of G. Callen for the first time. In an episode of “Navy CIS” (short: “NCIS”) he made his first appearance as a special agent whose full name is Grigori (Grisha) Aleksandrovich Nikolaev Callen. His character made further appearances.
The aim was for him to promote and introduce the then new spin-off “NCIS: Los Angeles” with his presence and the appropriate crossover story. The plan worked. Fourteen (!) seasons of the crime series were produced from 2009 to 2023. In each of them, Chris O’Donnell starred alongside rappers and actors LL Cool J (the chef from “Deep Blue Sea“) the main role.
“NCIS: Los Angeles” on Amazon Prime*
Even though O’Donnell never really acts as the sole protagonist here, thanks to the hit series he managed to free himself from the eternal role of sidekick. He became thanks to the spin-off Leading Man and the fact that there were a total of 323 episodes of it speaks volumes about how successful it was as a whole.
… and then behind the camera
Since the end of NCIS: LA, Chris O’Donnell has been more active behind the camera. Many people don’t know it, but the actor has a hand in a successful show on the US broadcaster CBS: “Come Dance with Me”.
This dance competition show is based on a concept by Reinout Oerlemans, who reported it to O’Donnell. The series star helped develop the show and even brought his colleague LL Cool J on board (via Variety). For this reason, the two are sometimes listed as producers on the show.
If that’s not strange enough for you: The Dutchman Reinout Oerlemans began his career as a producer of the trash comedy series “New Kids” and its cinema spin-offs. It’s amusing the paths some careers can take, isn’t it? But let’s stick with O’Donnell. Because he also achieved further success in his professional life outside of show business:
Chris O’Donnell also has success in the restaurant industry
Together with his wife Caroline (both have been married since 1997) and friends, he founded the Pizzana restaurant chain. Seven branches have been opened in the United States so far. Including West Hollywood, Houston and Dallas.
O’Donnell’s team probably has enough customers who enjoy creations such as Neo Margherita and Cacio e Pepe Pizza. If you’re a fan of the actor (or just curious), you can here Get an impression of the menu online.
With such a seemingly lucrative business behind him, as well as success as a TV producer, it’s understandable that Chris O’Donnell has stayed away from the spotlight since NCIS: LA ended – there’s just no reason for it.
And yet it should not be forgotten (or concealed) how remarkable and promising his career began on the screen.
His career start was so impressive
The starting point of his career was the tragicomedy “Green Tomatoes” (1991), followed by a leading role alongside Al Pacino in “The Scent of Women” a year later. Pacino received his first and only Oscar for it, while O’Donnell was nominated for a Golden Globe. You can rent or buy the title digitally online from Amazon Prime, among others.*
With such a start to her career, the doors of Hollywood seemed wide open. In 1993, he led the cast of Disney’s film adaptation of “The Three Musketeers” as D’Artagnan, which also included “24” investigator Kiefer Sutherland and Charlie Sheen.
Despite the film’s financial success, which grossed around $110 million worldwide, O’Donnell’s performance was not without controversy and even earned him a Golden Raspberry nomination.
The role of sidekick stuck with him
His real breakthrough came in 1995 with the role of Robin in “Batman Forever”. The film, starring Val Kilmer as Batman and Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey as a villain duo, was a box office hit ($336 million worldwide), but O’Donnell continued to be seen primarily as a sidekick.
“Batman 1 – 4 Collection” on Amazon*
The sequel “Batman & Robin” (1997) didn’t change much. Between blockbusters, O’Donnell tried to show that he could be more than just a loyal companion with dramas like “In Love And War” (1996) alongside Sandra Bullock. Despite further attempts in films such as the John Grisham film adaptation “The Chamber” (1996) with Gene Hackman, he was unable to permanently change this impression.
After less successful films such as “The Bachelor” (1999) and “Vertical Limit” (2000), O’Donnell became increasingly rare on screen and instead concentrated on guest and supporting roles on television, including in the first season of ” Two and a Half Men (2003) and Grey’s Anatomy (2005).
And with that we have come full circle. Chris O’Donnell’s career to date may not seem like a big deal at first glance, but a closer look shows how versatile and successful the former Robin actor was and still is. Even though he has starred in films that even the actors aren’t big fans of, as you can read here:
George Clooney bans his family from watching this superhero flop: ‘Wants my wife to have respect for me’
*The links to the Amazon offer are so-called affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we receive a commission.
