Who Is Otelia Cox? The Full Story of Tony Cox’s Wife

Otelia Cox, born Otelia Thomas Cox, is widely admired for her loyalty, kindness, and unwavering support as the wife of actor Tony Cox, whose career and success she has stood beside since the early 1980s. An African American, Christian, and proud American, she has spent decades choosing a private, family-centered life despite her husband’s fame. Now in her early 60s, Otelia is known for her gentle presence, charitable involvement, and dedication to raising their daughter. Standing at 3 feet 8 inches, she shares the same genetic condition—achondroplasia—that her husband lives with, making their bond even stronger. Though she avoids the spotlight, Otelia Cox remains a quiet yet powerful influence in Tony Cox’s life and legacy.

Quick Bio

Category	Details
Full Name	Otelia Thomas Cox
Famous For	Being the wife of actor Tony Cox
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	African American
Religion	Christian
Height	3 feet 8 inches (approx.)
Weight	Not publicly known
Age (2025)	Early 60s
Birthplace	United States
Marital Status	Married
Spouse	Tony Cox (Actor)
Children	One daughter (name private)
Known Traits	Loyalty, kindness, private lifestyle
Profession	Private individual; known for charity and family roles
Associated Names	Tony Cox, Oliver Cox (son of famous TV host)*
Husband’s Net Worth	Approx. $4 million (2025)
Husband’s Condition	Achondroplasia (form of dwarfism)
Years Active (Public)	1981–present (as a notable spouse)

Who Is Otelia Cox?

Otelia Cox is best known as the wife of Hollywood actor Tony Cox, the star from movies like Bad Santa, Friday, Me, Myself & Irene, and even Return of the Jedi. But she is much more than a “celebrity spouse.”

She is a supportive partner, a loving mother, and a strong woman who quietly helped Tony through the highs and lows of his acting career.
Even though Tony became well-known, Otelia chose a peaceful and private life. She focused on her family, her values, and her own passions like painting and yoga.

Her story shows that real strength does not always come with fame. Sometimes it comes from being a calm, steady person behind the scenes.

Early Life and Background

Otelia was born as Otelia Thomas. She grew up in the United States in a caring and family-focused environment. Her early life was filled with love, support, and strong values that shaped her into the woman she is today.

As a child, she enjoyed simple things — school events, community plays, and helping others. These activities helped her build confidence and creativity. They also taught her compassion, something that she carried into her adult life.

Even though many details about her early years are private, one thing is very clear now: those early lessons prepared her for the challenges of life, marriage, and the unpredictable world of Hollywood.

Otelia Cox Nationality, Ethnicity, and Religion

Otelia Cox is an American woman. She was born and raised in the United States, and she has lived most of her life in quiet family settings away from fame. Her ethnicity is African American, and this cultural background shaped many of her values, such as family unity, kindness, and respect. Even though she does not talk much about her personal beliefs, she is widely understood to follow Christian faith, just like many families in the southern parts of the U.S., where she and Tony Cox grew up.

Her belief in love, goodness, and humility reflects those traditional Christian values. These simple and strong beliefs helped her build a peaceful home and support Tony through every stage of his acting career.

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Height, Weight, and Age

When people first hear about Otelia Cox, they are often surprised to learn that she is 3 feet 8 inches tall, which makes her slightly taller than her husband, Tony Cox. Her height comes from a similar condition to Tony’s, and it never stopped her from living a full and happy life. Her weight is not publicly known, because she is a very private person and does not share such details. What people do know is that she stays healthy through gentle exercise like yoga.

As for her age, she was born in the early 1960s, which makes her in her early 60s as of 2025. She prefers not to reveal her exact birthdate, and she focuses more on her family, her values, and her peaceful lifestyle rather than sharing personal details with the public.

Who Is Tony Cox?

Tony Cox is a well-known American actor who became famous for his roles in movies such as Bad Santa, Friday, Me, Myself & Irene, and even Return of the Jedi. He was born on March 31, 1958, in Uniontown, Alabama, and he stands 3 feet 6 inches tall due to dwarfism.

Even with the challenges that came with his height, Tony never gave up on his dreams. He first loved music and wanted to become a drummer. His life changed when he met Billy Barty, another actor with dwarfism, who encouraged him to try acting. From that moment on, Tony worked hard, proved his talent, and became one of Hollywood’s most respected little-person actors.

His long and successful career would not have been possible without the strong love and support of Otelia Cox, who has been by his side since high school. Their story shows how love, strength, and teamwork can help someone rise above every challenge.

How Otelia and Tony Cox Met

The love story of Otelia and Tony Cox is sweet and genuine. They met when they were teenagers in high school. Tony was known for his drumming skills, and Otelia was drawn to his passion and positive energy. They became good friends first, sharing laughs and long talks.

Their friendship grew into love, and during their high school prom, Tony nervously asked her to marry him. Even though he was shy and unsure, Otelia said “yes.” That moment became the beginning of a lifelong partnership.

Many people say the best love stories start small. This is a perfect example. Two young people, connected by kindness and respect, built something strong that still lasts today.

A Marriage

Otelia and Tony married in 1981 in a small and private ceremony. There were no reporters, flashing cameras, or fancy events. It was simple and full of love — exactly how they liked it.

Their marriage has lasted over 40 years, which is very rare in Hollywood. They stood together through life changes, career ups and downs, and the challenges Tony faced as an actor with dwarfism.

Tony is 3 ft 6 in, and Otelia is 3 ft 8 in. But their story shows that true love has nothing to do with height or appearance. It’s about connection, trust, and support.

Whenever Tony struggled in his acting journey — whether facing stereotypes, rejections, or smaller roles — Otelia was always there with encouragement. She believed in him long before Hollywood noticed him.

Their marriage is built on:

• trust
• loyalty
• respect
• teamwork
• shared values

And even today, they continue to support each other with the same love they had as teenagers.

Family Life and Privacy

Otelia and Tony have one daughter, and they have kept her life completely private. This choice shows how much they value a peaceful and normal home.

While Tony appeared in well-known movies, the family always stayed grounded. They didn’t chase attention or try to be in the spotlight. Instead, they focused on creating a warm home full of love.

Their home is quiet, simple, and full of strong family values. This privacy helped their daughter grow up safely, without pressure or public attention.

Otelia’s gentle personality, loyalty, and humility made this possible. She wanted her family’s life to be about joy and togetherness — not fame.

Otelia’s Own Interests and Hobbies

Even though she is known as Tony’s biggest supporter, Otelia Cox has her own interests too. She loves painting, which allows her to express creativity and relax after a busy day. She enjoys creating colorful art pieces that reflect her warm personality.

Otelia also practices yoga, which helps her stay healthy and calm. For Otelia, yoga is more than a workout. It is her way to stay balanced, peaceful, and connected to herself.

These hobbies show something important:
Even when you support others, you must also take care of yourself. Otelia found simple and healthy ways to stay happy, creative, and strong.

Her Role in Helping Tony Cox Succeed

Tony Cox had a long and successful acting career. He played funny, memorable roles and brought joy to millions of people. But his journey wasn’t always easy. Hollywood often stereotypes actors with dwarfism, and Tony had to prove his talent again and again.

During all those struggles, Otelia was his biggest source of strength.

Otelia encouraged him when roles were difficult to get. She took care of their home and family while he worked on movie sets. She helped him stay focused, confident, and motivated.

When Tony retired in 2016 and later went through hip surgery in 2023, Otelia stayed right by his side. Her loyalty and care never changed.

Her quiet support became one of the reasons Tony Cox could shine so bright in Hollywood.

Personal Strength and Quiet Resilience

One of the most inspiring things about Otelia Cox is her personal strength. She is not loud, and she does not try to be seen. But she stands strong in all situations, especially when life becomes difficult.

Supporting a Hollywood actor is not always easy. There are long filming hours, travel, stress, and moments when things do not go as planned. But Otelia always stayed calm and steady. She helped Tony through moments when he felt discouraged or tired. Her quiet strength became a powerful support system for him.

This is also true in her personal life. When Tony retired from acting in 2016 and later went through hip surgery in 2023, Otelia was there with the same love and care she had since the beginning. Her resilience shows how powerful a calm, loving partner can be.

A Family Built on Love and Privacy

Even though Tony appeared in many famous movies like Bad Santa, Friday, and Me, Myself & Irene, the family always stayed grounded. They raised their daughter with strong family values and made sure she had a peaceful childhood.

The couple never shared their daughter’s name, age, or details. This privacy is important to them. In a world where people often share everything online, Otelia chose a different path — a quiet one. She believes childhood should be happy, safe, and away from the spotlight.

Their home is filled with love, laughter, and simple moments. They prefer cooking together, traveling to relaxing places like Mexico or Italy, or simply enjoying time without cameras or noise. This peaceful life shows that happiness does not come from fame. It comes from family.

Financial Overview and Stability

Even though Otelia does not work in the entertainment world, she has contributed to the stability of their family life. Her husband, Tony Cox, has a net worth of around $4 million (2025). This wealth comes from decades of acting in well-known films.

Otelia’s own net worth is not known because she lives a very private life. But what matters most to her is not money — it is the impact she and her family make through kindness, values, and helping others.

Final Thoughts

The story of Otelia Cox shows us the true meaning of love, patience, and quiet strength. She supported her husband for more than 40 years, raised a loving family, and still found time for her own passions.

Her life reminds us that success is not only about fame or movies. Sometimes the real heroes are the people who stand behind the scenes — the ones who love, support, and guide without asking for anything in return.

Otelia’s journey teaches us that kindness matters. Loyalty matters. And being there for the people you love is one of the greatest gifts in life.

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FAQs

1. Do Tony Cox have any kids?

Yes. Tony Cox and Otelia Cox have one daughter. Her name and details are kept private because the couple values a quiet and protected family life.

2. What happened to Tony Cox?

Tony Cox retired from acting in 2016 after decades of success in Hollywood. In 2023, he reportedly underwent hip surgery, which is common for people with his condition. He now enjoys a peaceful life with his wife, Otelia.

3. What condition does Tony Cox have?

Tony Cox has achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism. He stands 3 feet 6 inches tall. Despite this challenge, he achieved major success in acting through talent, hard work, and support from Otelia.

4. What is Tony Cox known for?

Tony Cox is known for his unforgettable roles in several popular films, including:

• Bad Santa (Marcus)
• Friday
• Me, Myself & Irene
• Return of the Jedi (Ewok)
  He is widely respected for breaking stereotypes about little-person actors in Hollywood.

5. Who is Oliver Cox?

Oliver Cox is not related to Tony Cox or Otelia Cox. He is known publicly as the son of CNN anchor Alison Stewart and journalist Bill Wolff. This question is included because many people mistakenly assume a family connection due to the last name.

6. What challenges do little people face in acting?

Little-person actors often face:

• Typecasting into limited roles
• Stereotypes in comedy or fantasy films
• Fewer serious or lead opportunities
• Physical challenges on set, such as costume weight or movement
• Misrepresentation in scripts

Tony Cox overcame many of these obstacles with the strong support of Otelia Cox, talent, and determination.

Celebrityworldz.co.uk