Manuel Padilla Jr. (July 13, 1955 – January 29, 2008) was an American child actor who got into films at age 8. He is best remembered for playing Jai on Ron Ely's Tarzan television series of the mid to late 1960s. He also co-starred with Mike Henry in two mid-1960's "Tarzan" feature films. As a young adult, he appeared in American Graffiti (1973) as well as its 1979 sequel. He also appeared in episodes of Rawhide, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Happy Days and The Flying Nun. His last role was a small part in Brian De Palma's 1983 film Scarface.
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Manuel Padilla Jr. | |
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Born | Manuel Padilla Jr. (1955-07-13)July 13, 1955 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Died | January 29, 2008(2008-01-29) (aged 52) Pomona, California, U.S. |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1963–1983 |
Manuel Padilla Jr. died from colon cancer on January 29, 2008 at age 52. At the time of his death, he told people he had almost no assets whatsoever.[1]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1963 | Dime with a Halo | Rafael | |
1963 | The Young and The Brave | Han | |
1963 | 4 for Texas | Boy with Pea Shooter | Uncredited |
1964 | Robin and the 7 Hoods | Orphan Boy | Uncredited |
1965 | Sylvia | Pancho | Uncredited |
1965 | Taffy and the Jungle Hunter | Beau | |
1965 | Black Spurs | Manuel Reese | |
1966 | Tarzan and the Valley of Gold | Ramel | |
1967 | Tarzan and the Great River | Pepe | |
1970 | A Man Called Horse | Leaping Buck | |
1970 | The Great White Hope | Paco | |
1973 | American Graffiti | Carlos | |
1979 | More American Graffiti | ||
1983 | Scarface | Kid #2 | (final film role) |