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Jonathan Lipnicki Says He Initially Wasn't Cast in

TriStar/Getty; Michael Loccisano/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Jonathan Lipnicki is opening up about how he got the role of Ray Boyd in 1996's Jerry Maguire
Lipnicki was just six years old when he played Ray Boyd, the son of Renée Zellweger's Dorothy and, later, Tom Cruise's title character
It was Cruise, Lipnicki suggested, who helped ensure he got the role

Jonathan Lipnickiis opening up about his casting in 1996'sJerry Maguire— a role that made him famous and nearly didn't come to fruition.

Speaking on the Monday, Feb. 23 episode ofPod Meets World,35-year-old Lipnicki spoke about his audition for the film, in which he played Ray Boyd, the son ofRenée Zellweger's Dorothyand, later,Tom Cruise's title character.

It was Cruise, Lipnicki suggested, who helped ensure he got the role.

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Lipnicki said he had been working as an actor for "probably six months" when, at six years old, he auditioned for the movie.

"I auditioned forJerry Maguire, and I didn't get it. They went with another kid. They shot two weeks with him," he recounted.

Lipnicki continued: "And they wouldn't see me when they were recasting it, because I was on a list of people who'd already been seen. But I had been seen by an associate, not the casting director."

"And I had an agent at the time, wonderful guy, and he was the head of the children's talent division at this agency," he added. "And he said, 'Don't see any of my other kids. I stake my reputation in the industry on this. I have Ray Boyd sitting in my chair right now. Please see him.' "

That's when Lipnicki was seen by the film's casting director.

"I was seen by the casting director, and they're like, 'How would you like to fly out to Arizona tomorrow and meet Tom Cruise and read for him and Cameron Crowe?' And I went to Arizona where they're doing the football scenes. Read for Tom and Cameron. My parents were there, of course. In, Tom's trailer, we had really good chemistry, and he's like, 'You know, I think my decision here is clear. I'll leave it up to Cameron.' And that was it."

Elsewhere in the interview, Lipnicki recounted how "excited" his parents were for him to audition for the role, saying, "My mom was always really careful with me because they got very excited about the whole idea of ... auditioning with the guy who was inTop Gun. You know, I was very excited about that."

"She always told me, 'A lot of little boys are going out for this. I don't want you to be discouraged if you don't get it.,'" he recounted. "And then when I originally didn't get it, she was like, 'Honey, I have some bad news. You didn't get it.' And I told her, 'No. That's my role.'"

When he finally did get it, Lipnicki added, the family's lives changed.

"And I think it just it kinda blew their mind, though, because it was like, all of a sudden, we're flying to Arizona. And, you know, my dad had taken me to that audition. He's like, 'Well, Rhonda, what are you doing later?' She's like, 'I don't know. Laundry.' And he's like, 'Or, we're flying to Arizona to meet Tom Cruise.' "

The actor would go on to star in 1999'sStuart Little, in which his movie parents were played byGeena Davisand Hugh Laurie.

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Speaking to PEOPLE in an exclusive interview last year, Lipnicki opened up aboutmaking the jump from child acting to adult acting.

"I had some really good things that happened when I was younger," the actor told PEOPLE at the time. "It's totally fine to say I'm not where I want to be career-wise."

he added: "This is the thing I want to do for the rest of my life, and I think you just have to believe it's going to happen and do everything in your power to take action in the right direction."

Read the original article onPeople

byLucie Johns

in

February 24, 2026

Jonathan Lipnicki Says He Initially Wasn't Cast in “Jerry Maguire. ”Here's How Tom Cruise Helped Him Land the Role

TriStar/Getty; Michael Loccisano/Getty NEED TO KNOW Jonathan Lipnicki is opening up about how he got the ro...

What to Know About Robert Carradine's 3 Children, Including

Ever Carradine/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

Robert Carradine, who died on Feb. 23, was a father to daughters Ever and Marika and son Ian
He welcomed Ever with Susan Snyder, and Marika and Ian with ex-wife Edith Mani
The late actor's family confirmed his death on Feb. 23, noting his "valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder"

Robert Carradinewas a dad of three.

The late actor, who died on Feb. 23, portrayedHilary Duff'son-screen dad inLizzie McGuire.But in real life, he had three children of his own: daughters Ever and Marika, and son Ian.

His family confirmed theRevenge of the Nerdsactor's death at 71 years old in a statement toDeadline, noting his "valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder."

"In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him," the statement continued. "We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness."

Shortly after, Ever shared anInstagramtribute to her "sweet, funny dad," writing, "I love you the most."

Here's everything to know about Robert Carradine's three children.

Robert became a dad in 1974

Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Robert became a dad in 1974, when he welcomed his daughter Ever with ex Susan Snyder, perDeadline. According toPhotoBook Magazine, Ever was born in Los Angeles.

Robert raised Ever as a single dad until he met Edith Mani, with whom he welcomed two more children: daughter Marika and son Ian. Robert and Mani got divorced in 2018.

Ever is an actress

Ever Carradine/Instagram

Ever followed in Robert's footsteps as an actor, appearing in several TV shows and films over the years.

She is best known for her role as Naomi Putnam on Hulu'sThe Handmaid's Taleand as Janet Stein onMarvel's Runaways.

In October 2023, Ever and Robert attended theSAG-AFTRA strikestogether, per herInstagram. "Bring your dad to the picket line day," she wrote in anotherpost.

Ever and Marika have started families of their own

Ever Carradine/Instagram

Robert was also a grandfather to Ever's children — Chaplin and Sam — and Marika's son, Jack, perDeadline. Ever welcomed her kids with husband, musician Coby Brown, who she married in October 2005, per herInstagram.

According to the outlet, Robert often attended Little League and horse shows and jumped at the opportunity to babysit his grandchildren. In late 2019, Robert shared asnapshotat a horseback riding ring with Chaplin, followed by aphotoof his grandson Sam in a school play.

Robert often shared photos of Marika and Ian on Instagram

Robert Carradine/Instagram

While Ever lives her life in the Hollywood spotlight, Marika and Ian are more private. However, Robert often shared glimpses into their familial life on social media before his death, from "throw back" photos tobirthday tributes.

In November 2019, he shared aphotoof him and Ian "jamming" on their guitars.

Years later, Robert posted an Instagramphotoof him and his brother playing a duet at Marika's July 2023 wedding to her husband Justin.

Ever shared lessons she learned from Robert after his February 2026 death

Ever Carradine/Instagram

Following Robert's death on Feb. 23, Ever shared a heartfelt post about her father on Instagram, writing that he "never missed an opportunity to drive me to the airport" or "tell me how much he loved my homemade salad dressing."

"Growing up in the 70s and 80 with a single dad in Laurel Canyon is not exactly the recipe for a grounded childhood, but somehow mine was. Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them it's because of my dad," she wrote. "I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back."

She continued, "Twenty years age difference really isn't that much, and while I never ever thought of him as a sibling, I did always think of him as my partner. We were in it together."

Ever also shared some lessons she learned from her dad, from not letting hose water dry on her car to never putting a horse away wet.

"I also learned something that was more foundational than I ever really understood, and that was what a waste of time it is to hold a grudge," the actress continued. "My dad was a lover, not a fighter. He was all heart, and in a world so full of conflict and division, I think we can all take a page out of his book today, open our hearts and feel and share the love."

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

Read the original article onPeople

byLucie Johns

in

February 24, 2026

What to Know About Robert Carradine's 3 Children, Including “Handmaid's Tale ”Actress Ever Carradine

Ever Carradine/Instagram NEED TO KNOW Robert Carradine, who died on Feb. 23, was a father to daughters Ever...

Oprah's new book club pick is an author she's loved for years. What'd she choose?

Before there was Reese or Jenna, there was the original book club maven — Oprah. "There is no best life without books,"Oprah Winfrey wrote on Instagramto mark 25 years of "Oprah's Book Club" in 2021.We have gathered all her official book selections in one place, dating all the way back to 1996's inaugural book club pick.

Before there was Reese or Jenna, there was the original book club maven — Oprah. "There is no best life without books," Oprah Winfrey wrote on Instagram to mark 25 years of "Oprah's Book Club" in 2021.

We have gathered all her official book selections in one place, dating all the way back to 1996's inaugural book club pick.