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Jonathan Lipnicki on His Bold Role Opposite Robert Pattinson in ‘Primetime’ and Why He Left L.A.
Former child star Jonathan Lipnicki has taken on his boldest acting role to date in the A24 film "Primetime," which stars Robert Pattinson as controversial "To Catch a Predator" host Chris Hansen. After a period of professional difficulty, the 35-year-old actor—best known for his childhood roles in "Jerry Maguire" and "Stuart Little"—pursued this part as a significant career turning point, stating that he believes artists should embrace things that frighten them.
Directed by Lance Oppenheim, "Primetime" dramatises the darkest year of Hansen's tenure, with Lipnicki playing a character called Crazyfrog73 who appears in a full frontal nude scene that Oppenheim describes as tonally crucial to the film. The director intentionally cast former child stars including Lipnicki and co-star Skyler Gisondo to help them move beyond their childhood roles and reinvent their careers. The film, which debuted at the Venice Film Festival and is now in cinemas, also features Merritt Wever, Phoebe Bridgers, and Bokeem Woodbine, and was adapted by first-time screenwriter Ajon Singh from an Esquire article.
In short
- Former child star Jonathan Lipnicki takes bold nude role in Robert Pattinson's "Primetime"
- Actor pursued challenging part after professional setbacks to prove artistic courage
- Film intentionally casts former child stars to help them reinvent their careers
Explained simply
Jonathan Lipnicki rose to fame as a child actor in the 1990s and 2000s, appearing in films such as "Jerry Maguire" and "Stuart Little". Now aged 35, he has largely stepped back from the spotlight in recent years. His new film "Primetime" represents a significant return to acting following a period of professional challenges.
"Primetime" is an independent film directed by Lance Oppenheim that dramatises events from television presenter Chris Hansen's controversial career. Hansen became famous for hosting "To Catch a Predator", a programme in which he confronted suspected child abusers. Robert Pattinson stars as Hansen in the film, which was adapted from an Esquire article and premiered at the Venice Film Festival before entering cinemas.
Lipnicki's casting, alongside other former child stars, reflects the film's deliberate intention to help these actors move beyond their early roles and reinvent themselves. Lipnicki plays a character named Crazyfrog73 in what he describes as his boldest acting work to date, including scenes that challenge him as a performer. The film also stars Phoebe Bridgers and Merritt Wever.
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