By now Jesse enjoyed the thrill of acting and wished to pursue it as a hobby so he signed up with the Talentfinders Agency under the guidance of Jane Kronick. In the next few years he filmed a supporting role in the CBS TV movie "Classified Love" with Dinah Manoff and guest starred in the Fox series "Tribecca" on "The Rainmaker" episode.
In 1989 he appeared briefly in the Christmas movie "Prancer" and auditioned for the lead role in "The Good Son". This role was later played by Macaulay Culkin. Jesse went on to score major roles, in the Steve Martin movie "My Blue Heaven" and the Harrison Ford film "Presumed Innocent" which were both released in 1990.
Later that year Jesse was in front of the cameras again for the ABC TV movie "The Boys" which starred John Lithgow. In 1991 Jesse played the part of Mike Love in "The Boy Who Cried Bitch".
At 14 years of age, Jesse was truly developing as an talented and professional actor. This was rewarded in 1993 with the lead role in the Steven Soderbergh film "King Of The Hill". Playing the part of Aaron Kurlander brilliantly and with great maturity Jesse got the attention of Hollywood and was nomainted for two major awards. The "Male Discovery Of The Year 1993" by the Hollywood Women's Press Club and "Best Young Actor" from the Chicago Film Critics.
Jesse followed this momentum with another lead role in the 20th Century Fox film "Far From Home: The Adventures Of Yellow Dog" which was filmed in Canada.This gave major worldwide exposure to Jesse. During this period Jesse signed up with the successful William Morris Agency in Hollywood.
During 1995 Jesse filmed the movie "Hackers" on location in New York. Its popularity no doubt due to a very hip and youth-oriented script. Later that year, he headed to Mexico where filming of "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet" was taking place. Jesse played the role of Balthasar alongside other great cast members Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes and John Leguizamo.
After the release of "Romeo And Juliet" in 1996, Jesse took time out from acting to pursue his senior studies and relax. He lists his favourite hobbies as music, snowboarding and playing guitar.
In 1997 Jesse graduated from Brien MacMahon High School CT and enrolled in Columbia University in New York. Jesse also left the William Morris Agency over to International Creative Management (ICM) in Los Angeles.
Jesse returned to acting in 1998 in "A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries" starring Kris Kristofferson and Barbara Hershey. He remembers this as an important time, as he traveled to Paris for filming without a guardian since he had just turned 18. On his return Jesse took the lead role in the independant film "Speedway Junky". His co-stars include Jonathon Taylor Thomas, Patsy Kensit and Jordan Brower.
Jesse starred this year in "Bring it On", capturing a whole new group of fans! He is currently working on "Dancing at the Blue Iguana".
