Manuel Padilla Jr was a child actor who rose to fame for his role as Jai in the 1960s television series Tarzan. He also appeared in films such as American Graffiti, A Man Called Horse, and Scarface. However, his life was cut short by colon cancer, which claimed his life on January 29, 2008, at the age of 52. Here is a look at his career, his illness, and his legacy.
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A Promising Start in Hollywood
Manuel Padilla Jr was born on July 13, 1955, in Los Angeles, California, to Manuel and Ernestine Padilla. He began his acting career at the age of eight, appearing in films such as Dime with a Halo, The Young and the Brave, and Robin and the 7 Hoods. He also guest-starred in several television shows, including Rawhide, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Happy Days, and The Flying Nun.
However, his breakthrough role came in 1966, when he was cast as Jai, the orphaned boy adopted by Tarzan (played by Ron Ely) in the NBC series Tarzan. He appeared in 57 episodes of the show from 1966 to 1968, and also co-starred with Mike Henry in two Tarzan feature films: Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966) and Tarzan and the Great River (1967).
Padilla Jr became a popular child star, earning the nickname “Little Tarzan” from his fans. He also enjoyed working with animals and swinging from vines on the set. According to artist Thomas Yeates, who drew a tribute to Padilla Jr after his death, “Who would not want to play with animals and swing from one tree to another in his underwear all day?”
A Struggle to Transition to Adult Roles
After Tarzan ended in 1968, Padilla Jr found it difficult to land more roles as he grew older. He appeared in a few more films, such as A Man Called Horse (1970), The Great White Hope (1970), American Graffiti (1973), and its sequel More American Graffiti (1979). His last role was a small part in Brian De Palma’s Scarface (1983), where he played one of the kids who witnessed Tony Montana’s assassination.
Padilla Jr also faced personal challenges in his adult life. He struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction, and had several run-ins with the law. He also had financial problems and claimed to have almost no assets at the time of his death.
A Tragic End to a Short Life
Padilla Jr was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2007. He underwent chemotherapy and surgery, but the disease was too advanced to be cured. He died on January 29, 2008, at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in Pomona, California. He was cremated and his ashes were given to his father.
Padilla Jr’s death was mourned by his fans and colleagues. Ron Ely, who played Tarzan alongside him, said that he was “a wonderful kid” who “had a great sense of humor” and “was always upbeat”. He also said that he was “very proud” of Padilla Jr’s performance as Jai. Mike Henry, who co-starred with him in the Tarzan films, said that he was “a terrific actor” who “brought a lot of joy to a lot of people”.
A Lasting Legacy as a Child Star
Despite his short and troubled life, Padilla Jr left behind a lasting legacy as a child star of Tarzan. He is remembered for his charming and adventurous portrayal of Jai, who captured the hearts of millions of viewers around the world. He is also recognized for being one of the few Latino actors to have a prominent role in a mainstream television show in the 1960s.
Padilla Jr’s work has been preserved and celebrated by fans and collectors. His episodes of Tarzan have been released on DVD and streaming platforms. His films have also been reissued and screened at festivals and events. His memorabilia, such as autographs, photos, posters, and costumes, have been sold and displayed online and offline.
Padilla Jr’s life story has also inspired others to pay tribute to him. In 2008, artist Thomas Yeates drew a portrait of Padilla Jr as Jai for The Gridley Wave newsletter. In 2012, filmmaker David Fuentes produced a documentary titled Little Tarzan: The Life of Manuel Padilla Jr., which featured interviews with Padilla Jr’s family, friends, co-stars, and fans.
Manuel Padilla Jr may have died young, but he will always be remembered as the child star of Tarzan who brought joy and adventure to many generations of viewers. As Ron Ely said, “He was a very special part of my life, and I’ll always miss him”.
