Tony Cox
Encyclopedia
Joseph Anthony "Tony" Cox (born March 31, 1958) is an American dwarf and actor known for his comedic performances in Bad Santa
, Me, Myself and Irene
, Date Movie
and Disaster Movie
. He is also known for his work in George Lucas's Willow
and as an Ewok
in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
. In the two spin-off films that followed, he played Widdle Warrick. Cox also appeared in the music videos "Just Lose It
" by Eminem and "From tha Chuuuch to da Palace
" by Snoop Dogg.
, who was born in Manhattan, New York, to Joe and Henrietta Jones Cox. He spent his childhood in Uniontown
, Alabama
with his grandmother and grandfather, Lottie and Henry Jones. His mother Mrs. Henretta Cox-Penn and stepfather Rudolph (Rudy) Penn currently live in College Park, Georgia
. By the age of 10 he became an avid drummer. He met his future wife, Otelia, during high school. They were eventually married in 1981 when Cox was 23 years old.
After graduation from high school, Cox attended the University of Alabama
and originally planned to study music. Cox said in a 2003 interview with Jet
magazine, "I played by ear. It was exactly like in Drumline
. I played against some of the drummers from the school, and they didn't have anything on me. I just couldn't read music."
, a little person who was an actor and also founder of the organization Little People of America
. Encouraged by relatives and friends, he moved to Los Angeles at age 18. He began taking classes at the Merrick Studio School of Acting with Actress De De Tillman and soon began working in commercials, film, and television roles. He is perhaps, better known for his roles in Bad Santa
where he played Marcus, the brains of a safe cracking team, and in Date Movie
where he played a parody of Dr. Hitch from Hitch
. As second lead to Billy Bob Thornton
, Cox's role in Bad Santa was his first and only role as a starring/main character (as of 2010).
Cox also appeared on the TV show Martin
in the first season, playing the character Bennie, in which he helps his friend Trey, played by Bushwick Bill
, beat up Tommy played by Thomas Mikal Ford
, over Tommy stealing his ex girlfriend.
. Cox, although otherwise a vegetarian, does consume the meat of his own cows. "I love these animals and they love me," He said in an April 2008 edition of Parade magazine
, "I see it as a tribute that I think they would want... it certainly beats the glue factory!"
Cox currently plays basketball with the Hollywood Shorties. He is also an accomplished table tennis player and is active in martial arts.
Bad Santa
Bad Santa is a 2003 American screwball black comedy film directed and co-written by Terry Zwigoff, produced by the Coen brothers, and starring Billy Bob Thornton as the title character and Tony Cox as his partner in crime. Actors Bernie Mac and John Ritter co-star...
, Me, Myself and Irene
Me, Myself and Irene
Me, Myself & Irene is a 2000 American comedy film directed by the Farrelly Brothers, and starring Jim Carrey and Renée Zellweger. Chris Cooper, Robert Forster, Richard Jenkins, Daniel Greene, Anthony Anderson, Jerod Mixon, and Mongo Brownlee co-star...
, Date Movie
Date Movie
Date Movie is a 2006 American parody film, which was directed and written by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, two of the writers of the first Scary Movie. Much of the story line was based on that of the well-known romantic comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Meet The Fockers...
and Disaster Movie
Disaster Movie
Disaster Movie is a 2008 parody film. It is written and directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, and stars Carmen Electra, Kim Kardashian, Matt Lanter, Nicole Parker, Crista Flanagan, Vanessa Minnillo, and Ike Barinholtz...
. He is also known for his work in George Lucas's Willow
Willow (film)
Willow is a 1988 American fantasy film directed by Ron Howard and produced/co-written by George Lucas. Warwick Davis stars in the film, as well as Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh, and Patricia Hayes...
and as an Ewok
Ewok
Ewoks originate from the Star Wars films. In the series, they are a species of teddy-bear-like hunter-gatherers that inhabit the forest moon of Endor. The Ewoks live in various tree-huts and primitive dwellings. They first appeared in the film Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi...
in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand and written by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan. It is the third film released in the Star Wars saga, and the sixth in terms of the series' internal chronology...
. In the two spin-off films that followed, he played Widdle Warrick. Cox also appeared in the music videos "Just Lose It
Just Lose It
"Just Lose It" is the first single from Eminem's fifth studio album Encore and was later included on his 2005 compilation album, Curtain Call: The Hits. The song caused controversy as its lyrics and music video parodies Michael Jackson, who was being accused of child molestation at the time. The...
" by Eminem and "From tha Chuuuch to da Palace
From tha Chuuuch to da Palace
"From tha Chuuuch to da Palace" is the name of a single that appeared on Snoop Dogg's 6th album Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$. The song featured, and was produced by Pharrell Williams. It contains re-sung elements from "Contagious" performed by R. Kelly, Ron Isley and Chante Moore. The song lyrics...
" by Snoop Dogg.
Early life and education
Cox is a dwarfDwarfism
Dwarfism is short stature resulting from a medical condition. It is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches , although this definition is problematic because short stature in itself is not a disorder....
, who was born in Manhattan, New York, to Joe and Henrietta Jones Cox. He spent his childhood in Uniontown
Uniontown, Alabama
Uniontown is a city in Perry County, Alabama in the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 1,636. The current mayor is Jamaal O. Hunter.-History:...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
with his grandmother and grandfather, Lottie and Henry Jones. His mother Mrs. Henretta Cox-Penn and stepfather Rudolph (Rudy) Penn currently live in College Park, Georgia
College Park, Georgia
College Park is a city located partly in Fulton County, Georgia and partially in Clayton County, Georgia, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 13,942...
. By the age of 10 he became an avid drummer. He met his future wife, Otelia, during high school. They were eventually married in 1981 when Cox was 23 years old.
After graduation from high school, Cox attended the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
and originally planned to study music. Cox said in a 2003 interview with Jet
Jet (magazine)
Jet is an American weekly marketed toward African-American readers, founded in 1951 by John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago, Illinois...
magazine, "I played by ear. It was exactly like in Drumline
Drumline (film)
Drumline is a 2002 American film directed by Charles Stone III. The screenplay, which was inspired by The Southwest Dekalb High School Drumline , was written by Tina Gordon Chism and Shawn Schepps...
. I played against some of the drummers from the school, and they didn't have anything on me. I just couldn't read music."
Career
Shortly thereafter, Cox decided to pursue acting after watching Billy BartyBilly Barty
Billy Barty was an American film actor.-Biography:Barty, an Italian American, was born William John Bertanzetti in Millsboro, Pennsylvania...
, a little person who was an actor and also founder of the organization Little People of America
Little People of America
Little People of America is a non-profit organization which provides support, resources and information to individuals with dwarfism and their families...
. Encouraged by relatives and friends, he moved to Los Angeles at age 18. He began taking classes at the Merrick Studio School of Acting with Actress De De Tillman and soon began working in commercials, film, and television roles. He is perhaps, better known for his roles in Bad Santa
Bad Santa
Bad Santa is a 2003 American screwball black comedy film directed and co-written by Terry Zwigoff, produced by the Coen brothers, and starring Billy Bob Thornton as the title character and Tony Cox as his partner in crime. Actors Bernie Mac and John Ritter co-star...
where he played Marcus, the brains of a safe cracking team, and in Date Movie
Date Movie
Date Movie is a 2006 American parody film, which was directed and written by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, two of the writers of the first Scary Movie. Much of the story line was based on that of the well-known romantic comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Meet The Fockers...
where he played a parody of Dr. Hitch from Hitch
Hitch (film)
Hitch is a 2005 romantic comedy film directed by Andy Tennant and starring Will Smith. The film, which was written by Kevin Bisch, co-stars Eva Mendes, Kevin James, and Amber Valletta. Smith plays a professional matchmaker who makes a living teaching men how to woo women...
. As second lead to Billy Bob Thornton
Billy Bob Thornton
Billy Bob Thornton is an American actor, screenwriter, director and musician. Thornton gained early recognition as a cast member on the CBS sitcom Hearts Afire and in several early 1990s films including On Deadly Ground and Tombstone...
, Cox's role in Bad Santa was his first and only role as a starring/main character (as of 2010).
Cox also appeared on the TV show Martin
Martin (TV series)
Martin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on Fox...
in the first season, playing the character Bennie, in which he helps his friend Trey, played by Bushwick Bill
Bushwick Bill
Richard Shaw , better known by the stage name Bushwick Bill, is a member of the American hip hop group Geto Boys. He was born in Jamaica, but moved to Brooklyn, NY as a young child.- History :...
, beat up Tommy played by Thomas Mikal Ford
Thomas Mikal Ford
Thomas Mikal Ford , known and credited also as Tommy Ford, is an American actor who is best known for his character Tommy Strawn in the sitcom Martin...
, over Tommy stealing his ex girlfriend.
Personal life
Cox owns a 350 acres (1.4 km²) ranch in Sedona, ArizonaSedona, Arizona
Sedona is a city that straddles the county line between Coconino and Yavapai counties in the northern Verde Valley region of the U.S. state of Arizona...
. Cox, although otherwise a vegetarian, does consume the meat of his own cows. "I love these animals and they love me," He said in an April 2008 edition of Parade magazine
Parade (magazine)
Parade is an American nationwide Sunday newspaper magazine, distributed in more than 500 newspapers in the United States. It was founded in 1941 and is owned by Advance Publications. The most widely read magazine in the U.S., Parade has a circulation of 32.2 million and a readership of nearly 70...
, "I see it as a tribute that I think they would want... it certainly beats the glue factory!"
Cox currently plays basketball with the Hollywood Shorties. He is also an accomplished table tennis player and is active in martial arts.
Filmography
- PsychPsychPsych is an American detective comedy-drama television series created by Steve Franks and broadcast on USA Network. It stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a young crime consultant for the Santa Barbara Police Department whose "heightened observational skills" and impressive detective instincts...
(2010) - The Legend of Awesomest Maximus (2010)
- The Warrior's WayThe Warrior's WayThe Warrior's Way is a 2010 fantasy action film starring South Korean actor Jang Dong-gun, Kate Bosworth, Geoffrey Rush, Danny Huston, and Tony Cox...
(2010) - Disaster MovieDisaster MovieDisaster Movie is a 2008 parody film. It is written and directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, and stars Carmen Electra, Kim Kardashian, Matt Lanter, Nicole Parker, Crista Flanagan, Vanessa Minnillo, and Ike Barinholtz...
(2008) - Who's Your Caddy?Who's Your Caddy?Who's Your Caddy? is a 2007 comedy film directed by Don Michael Paul, and starring Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Andy Milonakis, Faizon Love, Terry Crews, Tony Cox, Jeffrey Jones, and Jesper Parnevik. It is the first film produced by Robert L. Johnson's Our Stories Films studio...
(2007) - Epic MovieEpic MovieEpic Movie is a 2007 American parody film directed and written by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer and produced by Paul Schiff. It was made in a similar style to Date Movie, Friedberg and Seltzer's previous film. The film mostly references The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the...
(2007) - Date MovieDate MovieDate Movie is a 2006 American parody film, which was directed and written by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, two of the writers of the first Scary Movie. Much of the story line was based on that of the well-known romantic comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Meet The Fockers...
(2006) - Rescue MeRescue Me-Music:* "Rescue Me" , covered by many performers* "Rescue Me" * "Rescue Me" * "Rescue Me" * "Rescue Me" * "Rescue Me"...
(2004) - Bad SantaBad SantaBad Santa is a 2003 American screwball black comedy film directed and co-written by Terry Zwigoff, produced by the Coen brothers, and starring Billy Bob Thornton as the title character and Tony Cox as his partner in crime. Actors Bernie Mac and John Ritter co-star...
(2003) - The Hebrew HammerThe Hebrew HammerThe Hebrew Hammer is a 2003 American film directed by Jonathan Kesselman. It stars Adam Goldberg, Judy Greer, Andy Dick, Mario Van Peebles, and Peter Coyote...
(2003) - Back by MidnightBack by MidnightBack By Midnight is a 2002 comedy film starring Rodney Dangerfield, Phil LaMarr, Harland Williams, Randy Quaid, Gilbert Gottfried, and Kirstie Alley. However, it was not released until 2005...
(2002) - Me, Myself & Irene (2000)
- FridayFriday (film)Friday is a 1995 stoner comedy-drama-buddy film directed by F. Gary Gray. Starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Bernie Mac, Tommy Lister, Jr...
(1995) - WillowWillow (film)Willow is a 1988 American fantasy film directed by Ron Howard and produced/co-written by George Lucas. Warwick Davis stars in the film, as well as Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh, and Patricia Hayes...
(1988) - BeetlejuiceBeetlejuiceBeetlejuice is a 1988 American comedy horror film directed by Tim Burton, produced by The Geffen Film Company and distributed by Warner Bros...
(1988) - I'm Gonna Git You SuckaI'm Gonna Git You SuckaI'm Gonna Git You Sucka is a 1988 blaxploitation parody film written by, directed by and starring Keenen Ivory Wayans. Featured in the film are several black actors who were part of the blaxploitation phenomenon; including Jim Brown, Bernie Casey, Antonio Fargas and Isaac Hayes...
(1988) - SpaceballsSpaceballsSpaceballs is a 1987 American science fiction comedy parody film co-written by, directed by, Mel Brooks and starring Bill Pullman, John Candy, Mel Brooks & Rick Moranis. It also features, Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Patten, and the voice of Joan Rivers. The film was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on...
(1987) - Hollywood Zap!Hollywood Zap!Hollywood Zap! is a 1986 comedy film written and directed by an obscure Canadian film-maker, David Cohen and distributed by Troma Entertainment, a company known for its low-budget exploitation films. The film features a large number of unusual character actors, including Chuck Mitchell and Tony...
(1986) - Valet GirlsValet GirlsValet Girls is a 1987 American comedy film about three women in L.A. who are working as valet girls while trying to get started in the entertainment industry....
(1986) - Midget Fight (1986)
- Captain EOCaptain EOCaptain EO is a 3-D science fiction film starring Michael Jackson and directed by Francis Ford Coppola that was shown at Disney theme parks from 1986 through the 1990s...
(1986) - Ewoks: The Battle for EndorEwoks: The Battle for EndorEwoks: The Battle for Endor is a 1985 made-for-TV movie set in the Star Wars galaxy. A sequel to Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure, it focuses on Cindel Towani, the little girl from the first film, who, after being orphaned, joins the Ewoks in protecting their village and defeating the evil...
(1985) - Caravan of Courage: An Ewok AdventureCaravan of Courage: An Ewok AdventureFor the series of road trips travelled by Hamish and Andy see:Caravan Of Courage The Ewok Adventure is a 1984 American made-for-TV film based in the Star Wars setting. It was released theatrically in Europe as Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure, and is known by that title today...
(1984) - Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the JediStar Wars Episode VI: Return of the JediStar Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand and written by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan. It is the third film released in the Star Wars saga, and the sixth in terms of the series' internal chronology...
(1983) - Penitentary 2 (1982)