Danny Cooksey Biography: Wife, Age, Height, Awards, Kids, Movies, Net Worth, Wiki, Nationality
Daniel Ray Allen Cooksey Jr., known professionally as Danny Cooksey, is an American actor, voice actor, and musician who rose to prominence as one of the most recognizable child stars of the 1980s.
He first gained mainstream recognition for portraying Sam McKinney during the final seasons of the hit sitcom Diff’rent Strokes.
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He further cemented his place in popular culture by starring as Bobby Budnick on Nickelodeon’s Salute Your Shorts and playing Tim, the loyal friend of John Connor, in the blockbuster film Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
As an adult, he successfully transitioned into voice acting, lending his voice to numerous animated series while continuing his career as a rock musician.
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Daniel Ray Allen Cooksey Jr. |
| Stage Name: | Danny Cooksey |
| Born: | November 2, 1975 (age 50 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Moore, Oklahoma, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | Caucasian |
| Height: | 5 feet 1.5 inches |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Parents: | Daniel Ray Allen Cooksey Sr. and Melody Ann Cooksey |
| Spouse: | Amber Leigh (m. 1998–div. 2020) |
| Relationship: | Divorced |
| Children: | Zoe Leigh Cooksey and Jackson Paul Cooksey |
| Occupation: | Actor, Voice Actor, Musician |
| Net Worth: | $500,000 |
Early Life and Education
Danny Cooksey, who is currently 51 years old, was born on November 2, 1975, in Moore, Oklahoma. He spent his early childhood with his parents, Daniel Ray Allen Cooksey Sr. and Melody Ann Cooksey, before moving to Los Angeles with his mother in 1980 to pursue opportunities as a young country singer.
Cooksey attended Apple Creek Elementary School in Moore before his acting career took off.
As his television schedule became more demanding, he completed his education through on-set tutors and independent study programs.
He graduated from high school in 1993 and chose not to attend college, deciding instead to focus entirely on his growing career in entertainment.
Personal Life
Danny Cooksey married makeup artist Amber Leigh on March 3, 1998. During their marriage, they welcomed two children, daughter Zoe Leigh Cooksey and son Jackson Paul Cooksey.
Cooksey’s family has faced personal health challenges over the years, as both Amber Leigh and their son, Jackson, have lived with epilepsy.
The family has supported epilepsy awareness while largely keeping their private lives out of the spotlight.
After more than two decades of marriage, the couple separated when Amber Leigh filed for divorce in 2019.
Their divorce was finalized in 2020, and Cooksey has remained private about his personal relationships since then.
Cooksey also shared a close friendship with his Diff’rent Strokes co-star Dana Plato. Following her death in 1999, he served as one of the pallbearers at her funeral in tribute to their longtime friendship.
Career
Danny Cooksey’s entertainment career began after appearing as a young country singer on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
The exposure helped him secure the role of Sam McKinney on Diff’rent Strokes, where he appeared from 1984 until the sitcom ended in 1986.
He continued his rise with a starring role in The Cavanaughs before reaching another career milestone in 1991.
That year, he portrayed Tim in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and starred as Bobby Budnick on Nickelodeon’s Salute Your Shorts, performances that remain among his most memorable.
As he grew older, Cooksey shifted his focus toward voice acting. He became widely recognized for voicing Montana Max in Tiny Toon Adventures, Jack Spicer in Xiaolin Showdown, the title character in Dave the Barbarian, and Milo Kamalani in Pepper Ann.
Alongside acting, he pursued music as the lead singer of the heavy metal band Bad4Good before performing with Lucy’s Milk, Arbuckle, and Shelter Dogs.
Awards
- Young Artist Award nomination for Best Young Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy Series (1985)
- Young Artist Award nomination for Best Young Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy Series (1986)
- Young Artist Award nomination for Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor in a Long-Running Comedy Series (1987)
- Young Artist Award nomination for Best Young Actor Co-starring in a Motion Picture (1992)
- Young Artist Award nomination for Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Youth Series (1993)
Net Worth
Danny Cooksey’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $500,000.
He built his wealth through a career that spans acting, voice acting, music, and residual earnings from his work as a successful child star in television and film.
Controversy
Danny Cooksey attracted brief public attention during his divorce proceedings in 2019 after court filings included a request for a temporary restraining order by his estranged wife.
The matter remained within the family court system, did not result in criminal charges, and was resolved without any long-term public dispute.
Social Media
- Instagram: @dannycooksey
- X: @DannyCooksey
Filmography
- Mac and Me (1988)
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
- Mom and Dad Save the World (1992)
- A Goofy Movie (1995)
- The Lorax (2012)
Discography
- Refugee (1992)
- Lucy’s Milk (1996)
- Arbuckle (2004)
- Take Me Home (2015)
What People Ask
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