Background
O'Connell was born on 8 April 1986 in Dayton, Ohio.
O'Connell was born on 8 April 1986 in Dayton, Ohio.
O'Connell attended Cathedral High School. In 2008, O'Connell graduated from Purdue University's College of Health and Human Sciences where he received a bachelor's degree in Health and Fitness.
O'Connell is best known for his portrayal of Wyatt Cryer in the prime time television drama The Haves and the Have Nots which airs on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
In 2006, O'Connell signed to Ford Models while still in college.
Starting his career at the Actors Studio in Chicago, O'Connell permanently relocated to Los Angeles so he could continue modeling, and start acting. O'Connell started acting classes. He eventually booked several commercials, including the Liquid-Plumr where he caught the eye of Tyler Perry.
O'Connell initially thought it was joke when he was contacted by Perry's production company about auditioning for a role in a new television series. Perry contacted O'Connell himself and asked him to audition over Skype. Perry then traveled to Los Angeles to meet with O'Connell about the role of Wyatt on The Haves and the Have Nots.
O'Connell was actually the first of the ensemble to be cast.