It’s true… he is an AWESOME performer… and he’s a wonderful friend, too.

To tell you the truth, I think he just lost interest in acting. He is very intelligent and very sensitive, which is what made hims such a great performer. He also saw what the business is like at a very young age, and after seeing Hollywood for what it is, I think he just decided that he wanted to take his life in a different direction. He continued his education, works in healthcare, and invested his money in real estate.

Hey, thanks for commenting. I’m sure he’s happy to know that he still has fans.

It is sad to see what’s happened to so many child actors… but that’s what makes the news. You never hear about the ones who don’t end up in tragedy because that’s just not what people seem to want to know… or at least it doesn’t sell the magazine, so to say. I think an explorers revamp would be awesome.

I LOVE Jason Presson!!!

That’s pretty cool that you know him, but what sucks is that he was never as popular as the actors he worked with. You said that he is very intelligent and sensitive, and you can definitely tell that by his performances. Why did he always look so sad and depressed though? I always wondered that, but maybe it was just his character. Do you know how to contact him? If he does not want fans bothering him (I know I would not) then that is fine, just wondering.

In Gremlins 2 he played as the yogurt jerk (small scene.)

i heard he had a battered childhood?
he was an amazing actor though!
how did you know him (did you go to school together)

i loved that kid back in the 80’s! how’s he doing? any kids? I love your work by the way americanvirus

good to know he’s doing okay

Two of my best friends said they went to school with him. is this true? what school did he go to?
i need to ask them what school it was

I’m pretty sure he went to Pacoima Junior High, but I’m not sure what High School. I hope that helps.

I don’t know what it’s like now, but back then you had a limited number of hours you could work, plus you had a teacher on the set. When you weren’t working, you went to school like everyone else. I’m sure it’s probably the same now.

“Explorers” was my favorite movie growing up and it has been a huge influence on my life. I grew up in circumstances very similar to Darren Woods, the character he played in the movie and before that I had never seen someone like me in a movie. I am giving Jason and his fantastic film credit for my growing up to be an author and to do a great deal of things and have a great deal of experiences I would never have had otherwise. So I just want to leave a not here reading: Thank you jason!

This reply is really for Jasmine. I wouldn’t say that he had a “battered” life, but his childhood was definitely not easy. He probably doesn’t act anymore because he simply decided he would rather live a simpler life and be happy. Being an actor probably has its ups and down. Believe me. Health and happiness are worth more than most people think.

why was his childhood not easy? and if you or Americanvirus know, why was it a such a craze for child actors to do drugs in the 80’s? I have two kids that have cell phones and ipods – they know nothing of corey haim or feldman. I really miss the 80’s.

Julie – that is amazing

Your photos are amazing! I didn’t really know many people knew of Jason Presson. None of my friends do anyway. Yeah it is his personal business, and as I read in another comment, you said he is pretty private. Jason should get back into acting, I wouldn’t mind seeing him again.

I saw jason for the first time in a long time recently. He is doing well in his career field now, not acting. The death of fellow childhood actor Corey Haim hit home, Jason is good friends with Corey Feldman. He never got into any drugs or anything, if he drinks, its a couple beers. He is very lucky considering the period he is from. It was just good to see him and talk to him again.

Since no-one has pasted anything in awhile, i figured it was time.

Jason,was the simply the “coolest” kid around.
I’m quite happy he is alive and well.
I was in the music business for much too long, i avoided the
nonsense of drugs etc. and just the whole music scene was nothing more than an immense pain the butt.
So i can relate to Jason eventually steering clear of hollywood,and the nonsense that goes with it.
He is not forgotten by his fans at any rate.
I believe one of the best moments of my life would be the day i bump into him, shake his hand, and thank him greatly for just
“being himself”.
Some call him a legend, he has indeed earned that title and respect.
Please let him know, he is never forgotten.

just wanted everyone to know that ‘explorers’ is streaming on netflix right now. when this movie came out, i was about the same age as jason presson and had the biggest crush on him (or his character in the movie anyway). you know, the brooding type. heh. i’ve always thought he was a terrific actor, and like most folks who commented, wished he was in many more movies. glad to hear he is well. wish he had more of an online presence, but thanks for passing all our messages along. best of luck to you both.

I wish I knew Jason cause he seems very down to earth and very sweet. There’s no way you could set it up where I could meet him…is there?

While so many of us dream of what could have been- for Mr. Presson as well as his fans had he been the “Ethan Hawke” of Explorers- it’s nice to know that some of the talented actors in Hollywood remove themselves from the negativity that surrounds that lifestyle so they may pursue happiness rather than money and fame.

It’s funny, really, how much we are affected by what we watch. And, thankfully, I saw Darren Woods as a role model. Quiet but strong, thoughtful, willing to stand up against play ground bullies. No young person can convey the strength, sensitivity and compassion as seen in this character unless he or she embodies these traits. You simply cannot coach these behaviors in one so young.

Thank you for being one of the good guys, Mr. Presson.

By the way- the absolutely most adorable of the three boys starring in Explorers- hands down!

I was friends with Jason in the 80s and went to school with him. I moved away in 1985 and lost touch with him. Glad to see he’s doing well. And I love your photography. My 16 year old daughter wants to be a photographer. I plan to show her your pictures.

I was scrolling through Netflix and came across the movie Explorers. I called my kids over and told them that I went to school with one of the guys, it was Jason. I went to Pacomia Jr. high for 7th grade and then moved. Jason and I sat next to each other in homeroom and I can’t remember if we had any other classes together. We talked and had some laughs, he even signed my yearbook, and called me “the quiet one”. I did not know him well, but I remember thinking he was a nice guy. I wondered what happened to him and was glad to come across your site. I was looking through my year book and I saw a picture of what I assume is you because it has your name. That is kinda weird.

thank you for sharing this. i had the biggest crush on him when i was a little girl, i must have watched “explorers”, a hundred times as a kid.

I remember seeing him in the 1986 Disney Sunday Movie, “The B.R.A.T. Patrol,” with Sean Astin, Dustin Berkovitz, Dylan Kussman and Nia Long. That movie was like, “The Dukes of Hazzard,” in several ways. A couple weeks later, I saw him in another Disney Sunday Movie, “The Leftovers.” That one also starred Cindy Williams and the late, great John Ritter. Jason also once guest-starred on an episode of, “In the Heat of the Night.” It would be nice if there were reunions between, “The B.R.A.T. Patrol,” and, “The Leftovers.”

Just watched Explorers again and looked up Jason Presson, I love this guy, Ethan, and of course River (miss you man)
. Hope Jason and family are doing well in the real world. Thanks, Jason, for being you! You are loved….

Tell Jason in his short time acting he made a big difference as you can tell by all the people writing. His was my favorite characterin Explorers and I never knew why he did not make more movies until now. It is awesome you keep in touch, let him know he still has fans and I hope he looks back on those times fondly.

Who can forget the Disney Sunday Movie: “BRAT Patrol” What a great Jason Presson film as well!!

Always wondered what happened to him. Hope he’s lovin’ life these days.

Very glad to hear that Jason Presson has avoided the dark side of Hollywood. Explorers is one of my favorite movies that I would watch with my 3 sons in the 80’s. To this day it is a lovely shared memory we have and I can’t think of another movie that we can suddenly quote our favorite lines and bring laughter to all of us.

It’s 2020.
I hadn’t seen Explorers since the time it showed in cinemas, back in 1985, here in Portugal.
Today when I was trying to know whatever happened to Jason Presson, and as the picture that appeared in the cast of Explorers in Google was a young Jason, I kinda feared something bad had happened to him.
The love interest of Ethan Hawke in Explorers died after a very complicated life, actress Amanda Peterson, and so I feared that Jason might had a similar fate, but thankfully he just moved on from movie stardom.
Glad to know that although he didn’t pursue a movie star career, he’s doing fine in his personal and working life.
He was lucky enough to work with movie legends like Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Leonard Nimoy, Wilford Brimley, James Cromwell, and other child stars that continued working, like Lukas Haas, Ethan Hawke and the late River Phoenix.
Had the chosen to continue working in the movie business, I think he could be such a big star as the others, because he was really talented.
In Explorers he sure was my favorite!!!
As you are a personal friend of Jason, send my regards, I wish him all the best!

That’s so cool. He was/is one of my favorite actors. I was an 80’s child.. Watching movies like Stand by me, Lost boys, etc I remember watching Explorers for the first time when I was seven. It’s still one of my favorites. When he kicked Steve Jackson, I was like yes!! I always liked his character. Also, Lady in white. I always wanted to meet him and get an autograph. He seems like a really cool dude. I just watched Explorers again. So good. Massive nostalgia. Anyway. Another nod to Jason Presson. 

Hello!! Don’t know when this post was made, how old it is or even still  followed up on, but today is November 29th, 2020 and my girlfriend just saw The Exploreres for the first time TONIGHT! We are in our 50s LOL! I hadn’t seen it in many many years and after, it got me wondering “where are they now” and found Jason’s career as mysterious as his character in the movie. I kept digging til’ I ended up here! LOVE THIS MOVIE! Related to his character as a kid and will always be in my top 5 greatest movies EVER!! Fan forever! Great performance Jason!!

Amazing. Love that guy!

Just watched Explorers for the first time in a long time. April 2021. Glad this post was on the internet, it’s nice to have something somewhere that says “hey, this person that made an impression in your life is doing okay.” Thinking about spending the summer recreating The Thunder Road. 

Watching explorers right now lol still love this movie 35 yrs later Jason was great in it

Jason was so talented and very cute! so underrated!

I watched the lady in white,I introduced the movie to my daughter’s boyfriend, he really enjoyed it, and write now as I write this, the credits for the explorers is rolling, Jason was one of my influences growing up, the rebel loner, glad he’s doing great, this generation needs to be reminded of how awesome the 80s and 90s were… 

Reading this has made me want to watch explorers again. I’m about to do so now. I’m 47 and I remember when it came out. Watched it a small theater in my home town. Has always been a favorite. Takes me back to a simpler time

Glad he’s doing great and he will always be a super actor in my book thanks for all the hard work and great movies 

5-17-23 read this thread and I’m all in the feels of nostalgia with my little girl crush as well. Loved him and all the movies he was in.

 I watched “Explorers” today and decided to come see who the third actor in the film was. After a long marathon of films by the incredible River Phoenix, I hoped to find films by this actor too. I already knew Ethan Hawke for his big film roles and I decided to bet on Jason. I think it’s sad that he doesn’t act anymore because he played alongside Ethan Hawke and the late River and Amanda. I understand that Hollywood can be dirty to the point where you turn off or lose interest. He was a really good actor and I’m glad he’s well and alive.