You ever watch an old slasher movie and suddenly go, "Wait, is that Kung Fu Panda with dreadlocks?" Honestly, it happens more than you’d think. If you’re scouring the cast list of the 1997 classic I Know What You Did Last Summer looking for Jack Black, you’re gonna be looking for a long time. He isn’t in it.
But here is where it gets kinda weird. People swear they remember him being the guy who gets hooked. They aren't totally crazy, though. Jack Black actually shows up in the 1998 sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, playing a character so unhinged and gross that it’s almost hard to believe it’s the same guy who voiced a lovable panda.
The confusion about Jack Black I know what you did last summer roles usually stems from the fact that the two movies basically blurred together in the late-90s horror haze. He played a guy named Titus Telesco. Titus was basically the resort’s resident "pot-headed pool boy," complete with terrible dreads and an even worse attitude.
The Mystery of the Uncredited Pool Boy
So, why isn't his name in the opening credits? It’s one of those weird Hollywood trivia bits. Jack Black was actually uncredited for his role as Titus. Back in '98, Jables wasn't the A-list titan he is today. He was a working actor taking "paycheck" jobs while building up his band, Tenacious D, and doing bit parts in movies like The Jackal and Enemy of the State.
Some people think he asked to be uncredited because the movie was, well, not exactly Citizen Kane. Others reckon it was just a contract quirk. Regardless, his performance is easily the most memorable part of the first half of the film. He’s loud, he’s annoying, and he’s constantly trying to sell the main characters "herbal refreshments."
Watching him interact with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Brandy is surreal. He’s doing this high-energy, sweaty, manic character work that would later become his trademark, but in the context of a slasher movie, it feels like he’s in a completely different film.
Why Titus Telesco Had to Go
Slasher rules are pretty simple: if you’re the "funny" guy or the guy doing drugs, you’re basically a walking target. Titus checked both boxes. His death scene is actually pretty brutal, even for a movie that’s mostly known for its jump scares and raincoats.
He’s in the pool shed, doing what Titus does, when the Fisherman shows up. He gets his hand pinned to a table with a hook before being finished off with a pair of pruning shears. It’s a messy end for a guy whose last words were basically "It’s all good."
- Character Name: Titus Telesco
- Signature Look: Fake dreadlocks and Hawaiian shirts
- Fate: Pruning shears to the chest
- Credit Status: Unlisted (Uncredited)
What Most People Get Wrong About His Career
There’s this idea that Jack Black just appeared out of nowhere with High Fidelity in 2000. Not true. The late 90s were a wild time for him. He was a "that guy" actor—the kind where you recognize the face but can't place the name.
If you go back and watch I Still Know What You Did Last Summer now, his scenes feel like a time capsule. It was a transition period. He was moving away from the "creepy sidekick" roles and heading toward the leading man status he'd eventually nail in School of Rock.
Interestingly, his role as Titus is often cited by horror fans as one of the best "celebrity before they were famous" cameos. It’s right up there with Johnny Depp in A Nightmare on Elm Street or Kevin Bacon in Friday the 13th.
Is the Movie Actually Good?
Look, critics absolutely trashed the sequel. It currently sits with a pretty dismal score on Rotten Tomatoes. But for a certain generation, it’s a nostalgic masterpiece. The tropical setting, the ridiculous "answer" to the radio contest that gets them to the island, and Jack Black’s sweaty performance make it a fun rewatch.
The "Rio de Janeiro" plot point is legendary for being one of the dumbest ways to kick off a horror movie plot, yet we all just went along with it. Jack Black's presence adds a layer of unintentional comedy that helps balance out the tension.
Finding the Footage
If you want to see the Jack Black I know what you did last summer connection for yourself, you’ve got a few options. Most streaming services carry the sequel around Halloween, or you can find his specific scenes on YouTube. His "It's all good" line has become a minor meme in the slasher community.
It’s worth watching just to see the range. One year he’s a stoner getting murdered by a fisherman, and a few years later he’s a Golden Globe nominee. That’s the magic of 90s cinema, honestly.
Next time you're at a trivia night and someone asks who the famous comedian in the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise is, you can confidently correct them. It wasn't the first movie—it was the second. And he wasn't a hero; he was just a guy with bad hair and a very sharp pair of shears in his future.
To really appreciate this era of his work, go back and watch his appearances on Mr. Show from around the same time. You’ll see the same manic energy he brought to Titus, just without the threat of a giant hook through the hand.