Who Is Tony Cox?
Tony Cox is an American actor. His full name is Joseph Anthony Cox. He was born on March 31, 1958, in Uniontown, Alabama, and he stands 3 feet 6 inches (107 cm) tall. Many people know him as Marcus, the sharp-tongued elf in the holiday comedy Bad Santa.
Other people share the name Tony Cox. This article is about the Hollywood actor, who worked in film and television for more than three decades.
Tony Cox Quick Facts
- Full name: Joseph Anthony Cox
- Birthday: March 31, 1958
- Age: 68 (as of October 2026)
- Height: 3 ft 6 in (107 cm)
- Most famous role: Marcus Skidmore in Bad Santa (2003) and Bad Santa 2 (2016)
- Spouse: Otelia Cox
- Children: One
- Status: Retired from acting since 2016, as widely reported
Early Life in Alabama
Tony was born in New York City. He was sent to Uniontown, Alabama, to live with his grandparents, Lottie Jones Witherspoon and Henry Jones, while his mother, a social worker, stayed behind to work. Uniontown was a very small town, with only about 2,000 people at the time.
Tony has said he had a happy childhood there. A cousin remembers that he had several operations as a child to help lengthen his legs, and that he did not want to be treated differently from other boys. He played basketball and touch football with the neighborhood children.
His grandmother was a big part of his life. She bought him a drum set so he could start his own band, called Tony and the Real Thing, and she bought him his first car when he turned 16.
One story from his childhood is often repeated. When he was in third grade, he felt sad that he was not growing like his classmates. His grandmother told him that very short people often become famous. Tony says that moment changed how he saw himself.
School and the Move to Hollywood
Tony graduated from Robert C. Hatch High School in 1976, and he met his future wife, Otelia, while he was in high school. After that, he went to Alabama State University to study music.
He soon found that he could not read music, and the school had no acting program. He left after about three weeks. By January 1977 he was in California trying to become an actor.
Actor Billy Barty inspired his choice. Barty was a little person and an actor, and he founded the group Little People of America. Tony has also named Michael Dunn as a major influence.
The Early Years: Small Roles and Hard Lessons
Starting out was not easy. At one early audition, Tony was told the only work he would get was in costumes. He did not give up. He studied acting at the Merrick Studio School of Acting and began working in commercials.
His screen career started in 1980. His first movie role was in Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype. In 1984 he played a dwarf in Faerie Tale Theatre.
Here are some early credits from his filmography:
- Return of the Jedi (1983): He played the Ewok Widdle “Willy” Warrick.
- Beetlejuice (1988): He played the Minister, also called the Preacher.
- Willow (1988): He played a Nelwyn warrior.
- Spaceballs (1987): He played Dink.
- Friday (1995): He played Mr. Parker.
Tony also played basketball off screen. In the 1980s he took part in the Hollywood Shorties, a basketball team made up of little people who worked in entertainment.
Television and Music Video Work
Tony appeared in many TV shows over the years. His credits include Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Married… with Children, In Living Color, Martin, The Jamie Foxx Show, Frasier, Rescue Me and Psych.
He also appeared in music videos. These include 2Pac’s “California Love,” the Foo Fighters’ “Breakout,” Snoop Dogg’s “From tha Chuuuch to da Palace” and Eminem’s “Just Lose It.” In the Eminem video, he played Marcus Skidmore, his Bad Santa character.
Me, Myself & Irene (2000)
Before Bad Santa, one of Tony’s best-known roles was in the Jim Carrey comedy Me, Myself & Irene. He played a limo driver who is a Mensa member and who steals Carrey’s character’s wife. The role helped more people notice him. It also caught the eye of a future director.
The Big Break: Bad Santa (2003)
Bad Santa changed Tony’s career. It is a 2003 Christmas black comedy directed by Terry Zwigoff and starring Billy Bob Thornton. Tony played Marcus, the clever partner of a criminal who poses as a mall Santa.
Getting the part was hard. Many little actors across the country wanted the role. Tony auditioned six times. The producers wanted a different actor, and Zwigoff said he threatened to quit unless Tony was hired. Zwigoff also said Tony’s audition made him laugh out loud.
Tony has said how much the role meant to him. He had worked for 23 years and had never read a part like it. He says the film “changed everything.” The movie earned more than $76 million worldwide.
Many fans watch Bad Santa every December. Tony says people still talk to him about it, even in places such as Australia and New Zealand.
Other Notable Movies After Bad Santa
After 2003, Tony got larger roles. He appeared in The Hebrew Hammer (2003), Date Movie (2006), Epic Movie (2007), Who’s Your Caddy? (2007), Disaster Movie (2008) and The Warrior’s Way (2010).
He also moved into family films and voice work:
- Oz the Great and Powerful (2013): He played Knuck.
- Strange Magic (2015): He voiced the character Plum Elf.
- Partysaurus Rex (2012): He voiced Chuck E. Duck in this short film.
His last acting credit was a return to his famous role. Bad Santa 2 was released on November 23, 2016, and again showed Marcus and Willie planning a robbery, this time at a Chicago charity. It did not match the success of the first film.
Faith and Personal Life
Faith is important to Tony. He is a Christian who goes to church in Los Angeles, and he has worn a wooden cross necklace made by his cousin for more than 20 years. He has said he refused some lines in Bad Santa that went too far for him.
He is married to Otelia Cox. Some sources say they married in 1981, while others list 1989. Because the sources disagree, the safest statement is that they have been together for decades. They have one child.
Why Did Tony Cox Retire?
After Bad Santa 2, Tony took time off for hip replacement surgery. He then decided to retire because fewer roles interested him. He said that as people get older, Hollywood tends to phase them out. He has said he enjoys time with his family.
Is Tony Cox Coming Back to Acting?
He has hinted at it. In a late-2023 interview, he said fans kept asking him to return. He mentioned a mafia comedy screenplay he wrote with friends and an idea for a travel show. Director Terry Zwigoff also said he wanted to find him a part in a future project.
So far, no new acting credit has been confirmed. In March 2026 he appeared on a podcast and shared stories about Bad Santa, Friday and Captain EO. He is also reported to post videos on social media from time to time.
How Old Is Tony Cox?
Tony Cox was born on March 31, 1958. He turned 68 on March 31, 2026. That makes him 68 years old now, in October 2026. He will turn 69 on March 31, 2027.
Common Mistakes You May See Online
Many low-quality websites repeat wrong facts about Tony Cox. Some list his birth year as 1961. Others say he was born in Myrtle Beach, Mobile or Birmingham. Reliable references agree on the birthday of March 31, 1958. They also say he was born in New York City and raised in Uniontown, Alabama. Many biography pages list Uniontown as his birthplace, so that is the most common answer.
Some sites also claim awards or nominations for Bad Santa, such as a “Best Supporting Actor” prize. These claims could not be confirmed, so treat them with caution.
Some sites also quote a net worth. These numbers are guesses and are not confirmed.
Tony Cox FAQs
Who played Marcus in Bad Santa?
Tony Cox played Marcus Skidmore in both Bad Santa and Bad Santa 2.
Was Tony Cox in Star Wars?
Yes. He played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi. He also appeared in the TV movies about the Ewoks.
Where is Tony Cox from?
He was born in New York City and spent his childhood in Uniontown, Alabama.
Is Tony Cox still acting?
He has been retired since Bad Santa 2 (2016). He has talked about a possible comeback, but nothing has been confirmed.
How tall is Tony Cox?
He is 3 feet 6 inches (107 cm).
Final Thoughts
Tony Cox’s story is about patience. He moved to Hollywood as a teenager and worked for more than 20 years in small parts, costumes and guest roles. Then one great script and six auditions turned him into a fan favorite. He has also been open about his faith, his family and his love of comedy.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is based on publicly available information as of October 17, 2026. Details such as marriage dates can differ between sources, and personal or career news may change. Tony Cox’s name and the film titles belong to their owners. This article is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tony Cox. Please check official sources for the latest updates.
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