Fans Are Praising An Almost Unrecognizable Jonathan Lipnicki After He Appeared In A Rare Interview

Remember that one adorable kid in all those movies back in the day?

Columbia Tristar / Getty Images

It’s Jonathan Lipnicki! He’s back in a rare interview on the Brotherly Love Podcast and is barely recognizable.

Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

As a kid, any movie with Jonathan was in heavy rotation.

I went heavy for Jerry Maguire (1996) because, besides Cuba Gooding Jr.’s “Show me the money!” Jonathan completely stole the show.

Tristar Pictures / ©TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

I’ll admit I was ready to throw hands to protect Stuart Little (1999) when Jonathan was a jealous brat in the movie, but once he came around, they became my favorite duo to watch over and over again.

Columbia Pictures / ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

The Little Vampire (2000)? Listen. At a young age, Jonathan was the master of buddy comedies because this movie was the epitome of best friendships despite differences.

New Line Cinema / ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

And lastly, there’s Like Mike (2002). We are not friends if you can’t ride for me like Murph did for Calvin (Bow Wow) in this movie.

20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

When the still extremely hot Lawrence brothers (mostly Joey and Matt because they never let Andy talk) asked Jonathan what he’s been up to all this time, he revealed he’s still in the game.

The significant change is that with technology and most auditions being self-taped, the 33-year-old actor moved from Los Angeles (where he lived his whole life) to Oklahoma City. “I just hit a point where I realized I was self-taping everything,” Jonathan explained. “Everything I do is either Zoom or self-tape anyway. I wanted to see what it’s like to live somewhere else.”

In Oklahoma, he teaches acting classes, continues to audition, practices Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, and works with the production company Buffalo 8 (Conversations with a Serial Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes).

Brotherly Love pod / Via youtu.be

Throughout all the years, acting has still been Jonathan’s #1 love. “I didn’t know what the feeling was until I got older. It’s the same feeling as being in love. I love being there,” he said. “I want to do this forever through thick and thin. Sometimes things go your way; sometimes they do not for a long time. But it’s the greatest job in the world.”

Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images

In the age of nostalgic revivals and our favorite child actors returning to the forefront, I would love to see Jonathan do some new projects!

The fans still have nothing but love for Jonathan!

One user wrote, “Jerry Maguire, Stuart Little, Like Mike, and the list goes on. Jonathan was a big part of my childhood. Much respect!”

“Thank you guys so much for bringing on Jonathan Lipnicki. I grew up seeing him in Jerry Maguire (1996), Stuart Little (1999), The Little Vampire (2000), Stuart Little 2 (2002) and Like Mike (2002). So many classic performances and all the great actors he’s had the privilege to with,” another user wrote.

An Instagram user wrote, “It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by big projects and then end up doing nothing. Setting smaller goals helps so much. Fantastic episode!! What a great, likeable, kind, positive guy Jonathan is! He fits in well with you guys ♥️♥️ I hope you all get to work together in the future.”

Another person wrote, “Wow, he is so grown now!!!! He was the cutest little kid!”

“I love him! He has so much enthusiasm and love for what he does. That’s very rare. It’s so great to see. Matt was absolutely right in saying don’t do it if you’re not in it for the acting. You need to have thick skin and a ton of resilience. Kudos to all of you,” a fan commented.

“Glad he’s doing well, The Little Vampire was one of my faves as kid! Anyone remember that film?” another user wrote.

“Jonathan Lipnicki Lawrence, everybody! This boy was literally the next Macaulay Culkin! The movies he made are classics!” another person wrote.

Watch the full podcast episode to hear more from Jonathan.