Personal Information
Haley Joel Osment, often known by the nickname HJO, stands at 5' 6" (1.68 m) and is widely regarded as a preeminent young actor of his generation. The son of actor Eugene Osment and teacher Theresa Osment, Haley's career began at age four when a casting director discovered him in a furniture store with his parents, leading to a commercial booking. Within months, he secured a small yet memorable role as Tom Hanks's son in Forrest Gump (1994) and landed a starring part as Edward Asner's grandson on the television series Thunder Alley (1994). Demonstrating early comedic talent, he followed Thunder Alley (1994) with two additional sitcoms. Director Norman Jewison cast him in his first major film leading role in Bogus (1996), where Osment proved entirely comfortable in the dramatic material. However, it was the massive success of The Sixth Sense (1999) that firmly established the young actor in the public eye. His heartbreaking portrayal of the haunted Cole Sear earned him an Oscar nomination at the age of 11, prompting a memorable tribute from winner Michael Caine: "Once I learned of your nomination and saw your performance, I knew for sure you would win." Since then, Osment has delivered another powerful performance in Pay It Forward (2000). Alongside his acclaimed acting, he has cultivated a strong industry reputation for unspoiled professionalism. His younger sister, Emily Osment, has also made several impressive appearances in film and television.
