Jerry O’Connell recently opened up about significant transformations in his life during an episode of the “Work In Progress” podcast, sharing his inspiring journey of quitting smoking and a moment of career uncertainty that nearly led him to leave Hollywood.
The actor, who has been smoke-free for 14 years, crediting his wife, Rebecca Romijn, for motivating him to ditch the habit. He humorously recounted how Romijn made her disapproval of his smoking very clear by stating she would not have any physical contact with him if he continued. After a couple of weeks of separation, O’Connell decided to take action.
O’Connell revealed that he had previously struggled to quit smoking on his own. Ultimately, he sought help from a friend who had successfully quit through hypnosis. Despite initial skepticism about the effectiveness of hypnosis, he decided to give it a try, bringing along a photo of Romijn and their children to the session. To his surprise, after the session, he found that he could no longer bring himself to light a cigarette, a revelation that left him astounded.
In addition to his personal triumph over smoking, O’Connell shared a pivotal moment from his career when he considered transitioning away from acting. In 2009, amid a lull in roles and with Romijn supporting the family, he decided to enroll at Southwestern Law School. He had contemplated pursuing graduate education for years and finally acted on his desire by preparing for the LSAT. After attending classes for about a year, he ultimately found his way back to acting.
Looking back at his career’s crossroads, O’Connell noted that he feared the end of his acting days when a television series he was part of came to an abrupt end. However, things turned around when he resumed auditioning and secured a new role in a CBS series, where he fittingly portrayed a defense attorney, symbolizing his return to the screen.
O’Connell and Romijn, who have been married since 2007 and are parents to 16-year-old twin daughters, Charlie and Dolly, also shared insights into their successful partnership. They manage their finances separately while contributing to a shared fund for family expenses, adjusting contributions according to their work status. This system reflects their commitment to working together as a team, both in parenting and financially.
O’Connell’s journey serves as a reminder of the power of support and adaptability in both personal and professional realms, illustrating how one can successfully navigate life’s challenges with determination and the right encouragement.