Dennis Quaid on his son with Meg Ryan: ‘We didn’t let him be a child actor’

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Talk about the apple not falling far from the tree. 26-year-old Jack Quaid is the son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan. He appeared in the Hunger Games and Catching Fire as Marvel, was part of the impressive ensemble cast of the criminally underrated series Vinyl on HBO and, as Celebitchy reminded me, played Fish Bang in the hilarious Logan Lucky alongside Daniel Craig and Channing Tatum. Hey, he knows all the Twitters.

While Jack is making a name for himself, he is free from having to fight the label of “former child star” and he can thank his famous parents for that. Papa Dennis recently told US Magazine that “I wanted him to grow up as a kid and have his childhood and life experience apart from being on a set, which he will be on for the rest of his life.”

Of course, with two prolific actors as parents, Jack’s genetics pretty much predicted his career, and Dennis knew his son was a chip off the old block, telling US that “I wasn’t really nervous about his ability. It was very obvious that he had a lot of talent and drive to begin with.”

The 64-year-old actor and his son not only share a distinct family resemblance, Dennis said that they “have a very close relationship.” He said he was well aware that Jack had aspirations in getting into the family business, but admitted, “We didn’t let him be a child actor. He did it in high school, a play in high school. He did it the right way, I think. When it came time for him to go out and get jobs — he did it on his own.” And that he did.

As for uniting on-screen together, Dennis said that he and Jack have discussed the possibility of taking on a project together, noting, “We were actually offered a movie together contract. I would have done that but he was kind of against that.” And, being the supportive father I was hoping he’d be, Denis went on to say “I don’t blame him because … he is making a persona, a screen persona of his own. That’s what he’s building and I understand that.” And, he does hope that he will get to act with his son sometime in the future.

Jack has already turned in some great performances. He was a scream in Logan Lucky and I loved him on Vinyl, especially in a memorable scene with Alice Cooper’s boa constrictor. When he was shooting that show, Dennis gave him some fatherly advice, “Don’t worry.” At that time, he told Entertainment Tonight that, “It is advice I’ve never taken. Being a young actor — it’s chaos sometimes.” With his more recent roles, I hope he’s finally taken his dad’s words of wisdom to heart, because it looks like he’s going to be around for a while.

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The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) 2018

'Rampage' film premiere

LAFH Awards 2018

Photos: Getty, WENN

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13 Responses to “Dennis Quaid on his son with Meg Ryan: ‘We didn’t let him be a child actor’”

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  1. Sayrah says:

    He does look like his dad. Good luck to him!

    • Brandy Alexander says:

      And I was thinking he looks just like his mom. LOL

      • Carrie says:

        Same. I think he’s more like Meg in his acting skills and mannerisms too. He has her perkiness as well thank god. I’ve not liked Dennis since he let Meg take the fall for their marriage. Really glad their son turned out so well and I do not credit Dennis for that.

  2. Badrockandroll says:

    Let’s hope that “Jack’s genetics pretty much predicted his career” is not too true … his uncle is Randy Quaid:

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/06/24/the-sad-strange-saga-of-independence-day-hero-randy-quaid/

  3. Nubbins says:

    He looks a lot like Meg, too.

  4. Redgrl says:

    I can see both parents in his face. Nice to hear – seems like they did a good job as parents to him…

  5. Who ARE These People? says:

    I think he looks like both of them, but he’s cute either way. Sure he made it on his own with the last name of Quaid. ; )

  6. Enny says:

    Yeah…

    The kid unquestionably has legitimate talent, but, is it really “doing it on your own” when you are booking auditions with a name like “Quaid?”

  7. TiHaNA says:

    “he did it on his own” – of course he did.

  8. Chaine says:

    Good for them, they had their minds in the right place and hopefully will guard their other respective children similarly. Hollywood seems swimming with nepotism actors, though, so he will probably be lumped in with the rest of them in the minds of the viewing public until he proves himself, a la Angelina Jolie or Kiefer Sutherland.

  9. JayCee says:

    Jack looks more like his mom Meg Ryan. And his persona is more Meg too. He hates the way his dad first cheated on his mom for years, then cheated on his stepmom repeatedly too. Its not a secret he cant stand his dad’s latest young golddigging girlfriend. Funny how he declined being in a movie with gis dad, but did agree to be on screen with his mom. Why is Dennis talkingto a gossipmagazine anyway?

  10. Ruyana says:

    He had a small part in Rampage too. A movie I enjoyed ’cause I don’t listen to critics.

  11. Blueskies says:

    Oh my, he’s so darn cute! 😮 (I’m old enough to be his mother). Yes, he has a lot of Meg’s looks and demeanour.