It’s hard to believe that it’s been over two decades since Jared Michael Rushton first stepped out onto the silver screen, but his impact on both film and television is still remembered today. Born on March 3, 1974 in Provo, Utah, Rushton began his illustrious career as a rocker in a Barbie and the Rockers commercial at the tender age of 12. His mother, Monica Rushton, assisted him on the set of Big and proved to be a great support system for him throughout his career.
The Early Years: Television Appearances and Top Kids
Rushton started off with small roles in various television shows such as Tales from the Darkside and Cagney & Lacey. He eventually got his first big break when he starred as Donald in Lady in White (1988), followed by his memorable role as Billy Kopecki in Big (1988) alongside Tom Hanks. During this time he also made appearances in an episode of Murder She Wrote as Travis Harmon and starred in the television film Top Kids (1987).
The Late 80s: Overboard and Honey, I Shrunk The Kids
One of Rushton’s most notable roles came in 1987 when he played Kurt Russell’s character’s son in Overboard. This was followed by another critically acclaimed performance as Ron Thompson in Disney’s Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989). Despite being only 15 at the time, Rushton held his own against Rick Moranis and gave a touching performance that many viewers still remember fondly today.
Source: closerweekly.com
The 90s: Roseanne, Pet Sematary Two & A Cry In The Wild
In 1990 Rushton joined the cast of Roseanne for three episodes as Becky Conner’s boyfriend Chip Lang. He then moved on to star as Clyde Parker – a main enemy to Edward Furlong’s character – in Pet Sematary Two (1992). After this he appeared briefly on Northern Exposure before taking on his final major role in A Cry In The Wild (1992), which was based on Gary Paulsen’s book Hatchet.
Later Appearances & Retirement From Acting
After Cry In The Wild Jared made one last appearance on Midnight Caller before retiring from acting at age 18. While he hasn’t appeared onscreen since then, his work has been recognized with two Saturn Awards nominations and two Young Artist Award nominations for Best Young Actor Starring In A Motion Picture or TV Movie for Big and Honey I Shrunk The Kids respectively .
The Reason Behind Jared Rushton’s Departure
Jared Rushton quit acting in 2000 to pursue a career in music. He had been making sporadic television appearances for nearly a decade and decided to make a switch in order to focus more on his passion for music. Rushton has since released several albums and singles, as well as toured extensively across the United States and Europe. He has cited his desire to explore new artistic avenues and make his own mark on the music industry as reasons for leaving acting behind.
What Happened to Jared Rushton?
Jared Rushton is currently performing in the band Withdrawal, after leaving acting following the success of ‘Big’. He had a few notable roles before then, appearing on ‘Murder, She Wrote’ and three episodes of ‘Roseanne’, as well as starring in ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’. He has since moved away from the screen and into music.
What Became of Russ from ‘Honey, I Shrunk’?
Big Russ Thompson, played by actor Matt Frewer, was a central character in the 1989 family comedy film ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’. In the movie, Big Russ is an eccentric inventor and father to Wayne and Diane Thompson. Despite his wild inventions and penchant for mischief, Big Russ is a loving dad who ultimately saves his kids from their miniaturized plight.
After ‘Honey, I Shrunk The Kids’, Frewer continued to appar in a variety of science-fiction projects such as Doctor Who, Dawn Of The Dead, Orphan Black, Watchmen and Pixels. Most recently he starred in the 2020 Canadian horror-comedy feature ‘The Banana Splits Movie’ where he resumed his role as Big Russ.
Josh’s Girlfriend in ‘Big’
In the film Big, Josh’s girlfriend is Susan Lawrence (played by Elizabeth Perkins). The two initially meet when Josh is working in a toy store and Susan comes in to purchase a gift for her boss. Eventually, after spending time together, they form a close bond which blossoms into romance. The relationship continues to develop until they finally become an official couple. In one scene, there is an implied moment of intimacy between them, suggesting that their love has grown deeper.
Conclusion
Jared Rushton is an accomplished actor and musician who has enjoyed an impressive career in the entertainment industry. After appearing in films such as Big and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and television shows like Murder, She Wrote and Roseanne, Rushton retired from acting to pursue a career in music. Currently, he performs with his band Withdrawal and continues to be active in the music industry.
