At 46, Chris O’Donnell still carries the same earnest charm that made him a breakout star in Scent of a Woman and Fried Green Tomatoes. Now best known for his longtime role as Special Agent G. Callen on NCIS: Los Angeles, O’Donnell balances Hollywood life with a grounded home in L.A., where he lives with his wife of over 20 years, Caroline Fentress, and their five children.
But behind the scenes, there’s someone else who has played a pivotal role in shaping the man he is today—his mother, Julie O’Donnell. In a heartfelt interview, O’Donnell opens up about the woman who instilled in him resilience, humility, and the kind of practical wisdom that sticks with you forever.
A Household CEO and Master Host
Growing up as the youngest of seven in Winnetka, Illinois, O’Donnell remembers his mom as a powerhouse of efficiency and heart. “We entertained a lot because we had a big family,” he says. “Mom could cook for 30 people, and the kitchen would never look messed up. Just watching the way she worked—it rubbed off on me.”
He credits her “stubbornness”—in the best sense—with teaching him how to take charge, multitask, and make a home feel warm, no matter how busy life gets.
Parenting by Example
Now a father himself, O’Donnell says his appreciation for his mom has only deepened. “She just decided what was best for us, and that was the way it was going to be,” he recalls. “You could fight it, but it wasn’t going to change. She knew best.”
These days, when faced with parenting challenges, he finds himself channeling her firm but fair approach. “‘Because I said so’ has a lot more weight to it now,” he laughs. “She ran that house. If she had to call in Dad for backup, she did—but otherwise, she was the captain of that ship.”
From Baby of the Family to Lifelong Bond
O’Donnell admits he was her “precious baby” and “spoiled rotten,” but as he grew up and became a father himself, their dynamic shifted. “You both become adults with different opinions. If there’s something I don’t agree with now, I speak up. But that bond will always be there.”
The Best Advice He Ever Got
Julie O’Donnell never pursued her dream of becoming an actress—but she passed that dream on to her son. She was the one behind the wheel, driving a teenage Chris to auditions around Chicago, even when he didn’t see the point.
When he almost skipped out on a second callback for the Warner Bros. film Men Don’t Leave, she left him a note: “Just promise me you’ll go.” He did—and landed the role opposite Jessica Lange at just 17. “That audition changed my life,” O’Donnell says. “She didn’t have industry secrets—just persistence. She believed in me even when I didn’t.”
Cherished Memories That Span a Lifetime
“I remember bath time, and she’d sing ‘Floating Down a River,’ or scratch my back,” he says, smiling. “I think back on how happy my mom and dad were.”
Thanks to his career, he’s been able to give his mom some unforgettable memories too—from red carpets to royal dinners. “She got to have dinner with Princess Diana. She’d never even left the country before that,” he shares. “At the Batman Forever premiere, she had her hair done, wore her favorite little jewels, and this special dress. I’ll always treasure those moments.”
Final Thoughts
Chris O’Donnell may play a tough federal agent on TV, but behind the cool exterior is a man who carries his mother’s lessons with him every day. From the kitchen chaos of a big family to glamorous premieres across the globe, it’s clear: Julie O’Donnell’s legacy isn’t just in raising seven kids—it’s in raising a man who knows how lucky he is to have been loved that well.
