As Jack Quaid dominates the box office with his new action comedy, his father Dennis Quaid is singing his praises.
With Novocaine‘s $8.7 million opening leading an otherwise painfully slow weekend at the box office, the 2x Golden Globe nominee said his and Meg Ryan‘s son “certainly deserves” the success.
“I just talked to him last night. His movie’s no. 1,” Dennis Quaid told People. “I mean, that’s incredible, really great. He certainly deserves it. He’s just getting started. You haven’t seen nothing yet when it comes to him.”
Jack Quaid stars in Dan Berk and Robert Olsen’s Novocaine as sheltered bank executive Nathan Caine, who has a rare genetic condition that prevents him from feeling physical pain when he is enduring it. When his bank is robbed and one of his co-workers kidnapped, he has to act and finds his greatest liability becomes his greatest strength.
Although Jack has gracefully accepted his ‘nepo baby’ label, he’s said that he has “tried to work as hard as I possibly can to prove that I deserve to walk through that door.” His mom has defended him against the label, echoing Dennis’ praise for their son’s talents.
Jack Quaid in ‘Novocaine’
Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
“Jack is really talented. He’s more of a natural than I’ll ever be. That nepo stuff is so dismissive of his work ethic, his gifts, and how sensitive he is to the idea of his privilege,” she said.
“I remember seeing him in a middle school production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He was playing Bottom,” recalled Ryan in 2023. “I was newly divorced from his dad, and he was seated at the other side of the gym. I had my head in my hands and was like, ‘Oh, no. He’s good. He’s really good.’ I leaned forward, and I see Dennis, and he’s also leaning forward with his head in his hands. I just knew.”
Content shared from deadline.com.