Why You Don’t See Freddie Prinze Jr. In Movies That Much Anymore

Back in the 90s and the early 2000s, it felt like Freddie Prinze Jr. was the star of every hit movie that came out. I mean, he was everywhere! From “She’s All That” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” to “Down to That” and “Scooby-Doo,” there wasn’t a screen big enough for his talent. He had the looks, charisma, and acting chops that made him a top contender in Tinseltown.

It appears that was the direction he was heading, but around the 2000s, something shifted, making it rare to spot Prinze in movies. Instead of sticking with high-budget productions, he started working on more modest projects for television or venturing into areas outside of acting entirely. This shift has left many fans from that era wondering what happened to him.

Although Prinze may not be as prominent as before, it’s incorrect to assume that he’s leading a tranquil life away from the spotlight. On the contrary, he’s remained active in his career following his role alongside a CGI dog as Fred Jones. Here’s a look at what Prinze has been doing since taking a step back from big-screen productions.

He began doing a lot of voice acting

Nowadays, it’s quite typical for actors to lend their voices to animated characters in films, TV shows, and video games. This is also true for Freddie Prinze Jr., who started voicing roles back in 2002 on the show “Frasier”. In 2006, he starred as the main character, Pisces (or “Pi”), in the movie “Shark Bait.

It seems clear that Prinze has found great satisfaction in his line of work, as he’s been committed to it consistently ever since. Coincidentally, the same year “Shark Bait” was released in cinemas, he lent his voice to the character Rick in “Happily N’Ever After.” Notably, a significant portion of his voice acting career has been spent within the “Star Wars” universe, but beyond George Lucas’ distant galaxy, he has voiced numerous other animated characters. In the realm of video games, Prinze is renowned for his roles as Lt. James Vega in “Mass Effect 3” and its remastered version, “Mass Effect Legendary Edition,” and as Iron Bull in “Dragon Age: Inquisition.

As a gamer, I rarely come across Prinze these days, but I’ve got a feeling that’s because his voice has become so embedded in my gaming experience, I might not even notice him. It seems like he’s got no plans to lay down the mic any time soon!

He refocused from movies to television

During the filming of “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” Freddie Prinze Jr. came close to losing his life. This event, among other factors, influenced his decision to focus on television work. Although it was somewhat unconventional at the time, this choice ultimately proved beneficial for him, even if it meant stepping away from bigger film projects.

Despite this, he managed to secure notable roles on well-known shows. Prinze got the chance to appear as a guest star in “Friends”, filling in for Tom Hanks who was delayed at an airport. In this role, he played Sandy, the “manny” character, which significantly challenged Ross’ (David Schwimmer) masculinity. Although it was a minor part, it left a lasting impression on fans of “Friends” and was an excellent opportunity for Prinze.

It’s worth mentioning that his role on “Friends” in 2002 wasn’t his initial small screen appearance. In fact, he made his professional acting debut on an episode of “Family Matters” back in 1995. Since then, he’s been a regular on numerous popular shows and even starred in his own series, “Freddie,” which ran for a season from 2005-06.

Prinze prioritizes his family over work

One primary reason Freddie Prinze Jr. is less visible today is because he’s focused on his family life. He dedicates a significant portion of his time and energy to them, choosing family over professional commitments. Freddie and Sarah Michelle Gellar, known for her role as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” tied the knot in September 2002. They first met while working on the movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer.”

In addition to working together in the “Scooby-Doo” movies “Happily N’Ever After” and “Star Wars: Rebels,” as well as Gellar’s appearance in “She’s All That” without dialogue, they also share two children. Their daughter Charlotte was born in 2009, followed by their son Rocky in 2012. As a family, they live together in Los Angeles, with Prinze prioritizing their well-being.

Because his father died when he was just a baby, family holds immense significance for Prinze. In an interview with E! News back in 2017, the actor expressed, “Being a father, having lost mine, it becomes my top priority. So, when my daughter arrived, that was essentially me. I transformed into a full-time dad. It’s not a duty; it’s what I cherish.

Prinze got heavily into wrestling, and the WWE

Freddie Prinze Jr. is an ardent wrestling enthusiast who frequently attends matches, and he played a significant role in the WWE as well. His first chance to collaborate with the company emerged in 2008 when he secured a writing position on “WWE SmackDown.” Prinze managed to land this job during Ric Flair’s last match at that time, where he met Stephanie McMahon.

I went to see him, we chatted, and it was fantastic.” He further mentioned that during this meeting, Vince essentially offered him the job on the spot, which he accepted without hesitation because it felt fitting and right, even before discussing it with Sarah [Michelle Gellar].

Initially, when he joined WWE, he found that many other writers weren’t keen on his presence. This was primarily because McMahon informed them that Prinze was there to correct their errors. However, everything eventually worked out well. Later, following the end of his writing stint, Prinze revisited the organization, hosting “WWE Rivals” for 16 episodes from 2022 to 2024. Currently, he’s working on creating his own wrestling promotion.

Working on one show in particular made him rethink his career

As a gamer putting my life into pixels, filming “I Know What You Did Last Summer” was a nightmare that haunts me even today. It’s no wonder I eventually took a break from the silver screen for good. Similar ghostly encounters in the realm of television left me questioning my choices and significantly scaling back my on-camera roles.

In the year 2014, Prinze secured the part of Cole Ortiz in the widely acclaimed series “24,” which featured Kiefer Sutherland. Over the course of 24 episodes, Prinze was involved with the show, but he found the experience less than satisfying. In an interview with ABC News, he stated, “Kiefer was the least professional individual I’ve ever encountered in this industry.” He elaborated that working alongside Sutherland led him to seriously reconsider his career in acting altogether.

The TV series titled “24” marked a low point in Prinze’s career and led him to reassess his life goals. Given the dislike he had for being on that set, it’s no surprise he wished to explore different paths. Post his stint in “24,” Prinze minimized his live-action roles, opting instead to devote more time to providing voiceovers for animated characters.

The Force is strong in this one

Over the course of his career, Freddie Prinze Jr. has taken on numerous voice acting roles; however, it is likely that he is most recognized for portraying Kanan Jarrus in “Star Wars: Rebels.” Throughout this series, Kanan is a prominent figure, serving as the mentor to Ezra Bridger in the art of Jediism. Initially, Kanan was hesitant about taking on this role, preferring to find another individual to train the young potential Jedi. This reluctance stemmed from his past experiences, having barely managed to survive the Great Jedi Purge following the death of his master at the hands of Clone Troopers.

kanan_jarrus, a character central to numerous significant tales, demonstrates remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, thereby embodying the essence of a true hero. His selfless act of sacrificing himself to protect those dear to him forms an emotionally resonant and powerful conclusion for this captivating figure. Fervent admirers yearn to witness Kanan Jarrus materialize in live-action, potentially as a flashback scene, but Prinze harbors no desire for such a transformation. He cherishes the legacy of his character’s ending and wishes to preserve its integrity. However, it’s worth noting that Prinze provided the voice for Kanan at the conclusion of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” and in “The Bad Batch.” Furthermore, an image depicting Prinze as Kanan is showcased within the live-action series “Ahsoka.

Prinze published a cookbook

Freddie Prinze Jr. enjoys cooking as it plays a significant role in his family life. Despite this, he doesn’t consider himself a professional chef. In his own words to Forbes, “I can make many dishes, but I don’t have the title that comes from mastery and dedication over time.” Interestingly, his mother, Kathy, is indeed a chef, and he worked at her restaurant during his high school years.

As a devoted admirer, allow me to recount my take on this intriguing tale. Initially, I enrolled at Cordon Bleu for a while, but upon securing my first acting gig, I decided to chase the dream of stardom rather than follow in my mother’s culinary footsteps. Regardless, my passion for cooking remains undiminished, and in 2016, I had the pleasure of publishing my own cookbook, “Back to the Kitchen: 75 Delicious, Real Recipes (& True Stories) from a Food-Obsessed Actor: A Cookbook.

During the course of three months, Prinze devoted himself to perfecting his recipes and compiling them into a cookbook. Not only did his family members enjoy royal-like dinners every evening during this period, but they also became an integral part of the book, with their lives and connections to Hollywood being showcased. Given its focus on Prinze’s Puerto Rican heritage, the book is adorned with family photos and personal anecdotes. Upon the book’s release, he collaborated with Libby’s Vegetables and Meals on Wheels America in order to distribute half a million food coupons for Thanksgiving.

He’s turned down a lot of rom-com scripts

Although Freddie Prinze Jr. has taken a step back from the limelight of Hollywood, he occasionally takes acting roles. His brief stint in cooking occupied him for some time, but it wasn’t too long before he went back to his original career, even if he now accepts fewer parts than he did early in his career. Given that he remains as charismatic and friendly as ever, he continues to receive offers for romantic comedies.

Over the past 15 years, I’ve been given numerous scripts for romantic comedies, but I never bothered reading them because I didn’t feel like pursuing that kind of role. This is interesting since “She’s All That,” a romantic comedy, was instrumental in launching my career. Although it wasn’t my debut film, it was one of the earliest where I played the leading character.

In 2021, when the remake of “He’s All That” was being planned, Prinze was approached to reprise his role but he politely declined. According to Rachael Leigh Cook who spoke with People, Prinze expressed to her, “I won’t be able to make it work for me, but I wholeheartedly encourage you to take the lead on this project; go ahead and seize the opportunity – I will cheer for the movie and everyone involved.

Prinze got into podcasting

Similar to numerous contemporary stars, Freddie Prinze Jr. has ventured into the realm of podcasting, having hosted multiple shows throughout recent years. His initial foray was titled “Prinze and the Wolf,” a collaboration with his friend and performer-comedian Josh Wolf. This podcast spanned a variety of subjects, including culinary arts, pop culture, parenthood, and mixed martial arts. It frequently showcased amusing anecdotes and provided plenty of humor.

In 2021, Prinze’s most well-liked podcast titled “Wrestling With Freddie” was released. As you might anticipate, it revolves around the realm of professional wrestling. Joining Prinze in this venture is comedian and fellow enthusiast Jeff Dye. They engage in extensive discussions on wrestling, exploring aspects that transpire off-stage, providing an insider’s perspective into the sport with a palpable level of excitement.

2023 saw Prinze continuing his enthusiasm for horror films with a fresh podcast titled “That Was Pretty Scary.” This podcast dives deep into the world of horror movies, a subject Prinze is well-versed in due to his acting roles and personal fondness for the genre. Alongside Jon Lee Brody, he shares his extensive knowledge and passion for these films, dissecting every horror movie they’ve watched together.

He joined the Premiere Streaming Network in 2023

It’s common knowledge that Freddie Prinze Jr. often devotes a significant amount of his time to both watching wrestling and collaborating with professional wrestling groups. In April 2023, he deepened his passion for the sport by becoming part of the ownership team at Premier Streaming Network. Alongside Paul Owen, Fred Shernoff, and Josh Shernoff, he now holds a co-ownership position within the company.

In the press statement, Prinze clarified that Premiere Streaming Network has swiftly built an impressive, user-friendly platform that prioritizes independent productions and artists, celebrating their diverse work. By blending our shared passion and my personal experiences, we’re assembling a vibrant team dedicated to presenting content that appeals to viewers and providing a venue for budding creators to exhibit their skills.

In January 2023, PSN made its debut, but by the time Prinze joined the team, it had only been active for a short while. With over 2,000 hours of content, which encompassed live shows and additional material, PSN was already well-established when he arrived. Furthermore, it became the exclusive platform for Major League Wrestling’s “MLW Underground Wrestling.” At the close of Q1 2024, it underwent a rebranding and was renamed as the Premier Wrestling App.

Prinze helped launch the MyFandom Sports App

Back in the thrilling world of Premier Wrestling as one of its proud co-owners, I was deeply immersed in the conception and rollout of MyFandom – an exhilarating sports app that made its grand entrance in June 2024! From day one, it boasted an extensive database of over 100,000 sporting events across numerous athletic disciplines, far surpassing the boundaries of professional wrestling.

In a statement during the app’s debut, Prinze expressed that sports enthusiasts are the heart of the game. Whether it’s Football, Basketball, Baseball, MMA, or Pro Wrestling, the MyFandom app empowers them to express their enthusiasm, connect with others sharing similar interests, and establish an enduring legacy.

The app boasts several essential functions such as providing fans with real-time updates on popular trends and managing a detailed schedule covering both upcoming events and those they’ve previously attended, effectively serving as an electronic archive of their enthusiasm for wrestling. While it is unclear how much time Prinze dedicates to the company, he is fully committed to endorsing the app and expanding its reach among audiences. The platform is still in its infancy, allowing ample opportunity for growth and improvement, and is positioned as the foundation of the Premiere Wrestling empire. As a result, Prinze is heavily invested in the app’s prosperity.

Some of his live-action work hasn’t been well received of late

Freddie Prinze Jr. has stated that he’s stepped away from acting, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he isn’t acting anymore. He continues to act, albeit on a smaller scale, so there’s a chance you might have spotted him in a recent production. Interestingly, Prinze recently had an opportunity to portray his Latino heritage in “Christmas with You” (2022), demonstrating that he’s still active in the industry, despite some of his more recent films not being universally appreciated.

The movie titled “Christmas with You” was well-received when it debuted on Netflix, boasting a 65% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Unfortunately, this film stands out negatively compared to Prinze’s recent cinematic output, as his other projects have been poorly received by both audiences and critics. Over the period between 2005 and 2024, Prinze has appeared in a total of seven films and shorts, predominantly in supporting roles, but also as main characters for certain productions.

From those movies, just two received positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes – specifically, “Christmas with You” and “Clerks III.” Notably, in the latter, he had a brief acting role. The least successful films during that time for him were “New York City Serenade” and “Jack and Kill vs. the World,” both of which had limited viewership and featured Prinze as the main character.

His hobbies keep him busy

Freddie Prinze Jr. has various roles: acting, authoring cookbooks, and more, yet he also indulges in hobbies. The one that seems to consume most of his leisure time is tabletop gaming. One game he particularly likes is “Battletech,” a tabletop game featuring intricate miniatures representing numerous mechanized characters. These miniatures are delivered unpainted, and gamers often spend considerable time and skill to make them aesthetically pleasing.

While some gamers might struggle with the artistry required for painting miniatures, it’s evident that Prinze possesses a deep affection for tabletop games. A quick look at his Instagram account confirms this, as he frequently shares close-up images and videos of his beautifully crafted figures. However, it’s essential to note that painting figurines is just one aspect of tabletop gaming; Prinze also undeniably enjoys playing the games themselves.

It’s not certain when he began his involvement, but his initial post discussing it was made in January 2020, where he shared an impressive “Star Wars: Edge of the Empire” diorama. After that, he started posting various figurines, indicating that he started painting them around 2022. It seems like he’s been more engrossed in this hobby since then.

He hasn’t retired from acting — you will see him again

Although Freddie Prinze Jr. frequently talks about retiring, he continues to act, albeit less frequently in significant movie productions over the years. However, this is set to change as he’s going back to his beginnings; according to Variety’s report from 2024, Prinze will feature in the unnamed sequel of “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” scheduled for a theater release on July 18, 2025.

This fact is important because “I Know What You Did Last Summer” was Princeze’s major breakthrough in Hollywood, and he reprised his role for the sequel the next year. At this time, specific details about the franchise’s movie comeback are scarce, but its synopsis mirrors the original’s storyline: “A group of companions is tormented by a stalker who has knowledge of a grisly event from their past.

The actor’s comeback is intriguing considering the challenging circumstances he faced during the initial filming. Despite keeping quiet about the project, it may hint at his rekindled enthusiasm for participating in big-budget movies. Whether it’s his passion for horror or some other factor driving him, fans of the series are undoubtedly excited to watch him dodge a slasher’s attack yet again.

2025-01-12 22:31