Joe Pesinski is a former child actor desperate to prove he is more than just his past. After failing yet another audition, Joe witnesses a murder. Joe is caught by the dangerous mobster Benny, who decides he needs to kill Joe - that is, until Benny realizes that Joe is "Jolly Joey", the star of his favorite 1980s television series. In order for Joe to save his own life, he must do is what he hates most: Being Jolly Joey again.