Quick Facts
Born:
1955-07-13
Birthplace:
Los Angeles, California, USA
Credits:
21 Total Roles
Manuel Padilla Jr.
Acting
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Biography
In the 1960s, Padilla was a popular child actor, usually playing the Mexican or Indian boy in TV westerns such as "Rawhide," "Bonanza" and "Gunsmoke". He was a regular in the 1960s TV series "Tarzan", with actor Ron Ely, in dozens of episodes as native boy 'Jai', and as also a semi-regular in the TV series, "The Flying Nun", with actress Sally Field. In featured films, as an adult, Padilla made appearances in the films, "The Great White Hope", "American Graffiti", "A Man Called Horse", and "Scarface", among others.
Padilla died unexpectedly at age 52, just after making a public appearance at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California, in January 2008.
Padilla died unexpectedly at age 52, just after making a public appearance at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California, in January 2008.
Known For
Scarface
Kid #2
American Graffiti
Carlos
A Man Called Horse
Leaping Buck
Gunsmoke
Paco Avila
More American Graffiti
Carlos
Robin and the 7 Hoods
Orphan Boy
The Great White Hope
Paco
Tarzan
Jai
Full Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Scarface MOVIE | Kid #2 |
| 1979 | More American Graffiti MOVIE | Carlos |
| 1978 | Cotton Candy MOVIE | Julio Sanchez |
| 1973 | American Graffiti MOVIE | Carlos |
| 1971 | Tarzan and the Perils of Charity Jones MOVIE | Jai |
| 1970 | The Great White Hope MOVIE | Paco |
| 1970 | Tarzan's Deadly Silence MOVIE | Jai |
| 1970 | A Man Called Horse MOVIE | Leaping Buck |
| 1970 | Cutter's Trail MOVIE | Paco Avila |
| 1969 | Then Came Bronson TV | Mike Wade |