Tony O'Dell explained

Birth Name:Anthony Dell'Aquila
Birth Date:January 30, 1960
Birth Place:Pasadena, California, U.S.
Occupation:Actor
Yearsactive:1978–present

Tony O’Dell (born January 30, 1960) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Cobra Kai member Jimmy in the 1984 film The Karate Kid, and the second season of its spinoff Cobra Kai (the 2018 YouTube web series based on the adult lives of the Karate Kid characters), and as preppy Alan Pinkard on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class (1986–91).

Early life and career

O'Dell was born Anthony Dell'Aquila in Pasadena, California, and graduated from St. Francis High School.[1] His first television appearance was the 1978 Halloween episode of the NBC television series CHiPs, titled "Trick or Trick." He later appeared in the short lived 1985 CBS science fiction series Otherworld, as Trace Sterling. One of his longest roles was of high school student Alan Pinkard on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class (1986–91). He later appeared in Suddenly Susan, The George Lopez Show, and K.C. Undercover.

In 1984, he portrayed Cobra Kai member Jimmy, in the first two Karate Kid films, and appeared in the 2007 music video for the song Sweep the Leg by No More Kings as a caricature of himself and Jimmy from The Karate Kid.[2] [3] O'Dell reprised the role of Jimmy during the 2019 Season 2 YouTube web series Cobra Kai.[4]

Selected filmography

Movies

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979Good Luck, Miss WyckoffStudent
1980Falling in Love AgainDonny Lewis (Present day)
1981RivalsStudent
1983Hadley's RebellionDorm Boy
1984The Karate KidJimmy
1985Evils of the NightBilly
1986Chopping MallFerdy Meisel
The Karate Kid Part IIJimmy

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1978CHiPsTeenager 1 Episode, Trick or Treat
1979Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-DooAdditional Voices
1980FridaysBoy (Uncredited)1 Episode, #1.2
Eight Is EnoughScott1 Episode, Finally Grad Night
FamilyHoward 1 Episode, Letting Go
1981DynastyChristopher4 Episodes
ABC Weekend SpecialsTommy1 Episode, The Puppy Saves the Circus
1982The Scooby & Scrappy-Doo/Puppy HourTommy
1983The Puppy's Further AdventuresTommy
1984Lottery!1 Episode, Miami: Sharing
1985OtherworldTrace Sterling 8 Episodes
Simon & SimonJerry Carton 1 Episode, Facets
1986AirwolfTerry Haines1 Episode, Break-In at Santa Paula
1986-1991Head of the ClassAlan Pinkard 114 Episodes
1988Murder, She WroteLarry McIver 1 Episode, Snow White, Blood Red
1996In the HouseJonathan1 Episode, Home Again
2000Suddenly SusanBird (Uncredited)1 Episode, The Bird in the Wall
2002-2003George LopezPatrick / Delivery Guy 2 Episodes
2011Shake It UpKelly1 Episode, Vatalihootsit It Up
2015K.C. UndercoverMr. Hancock 1 Episode, The Neighborhood Watchdogs
2019Cobra KaiJimmy1 Episode

Notes and References

  1. News: Delmar. Carie J.. His clean cut character is not an act. 20 February 2018. Los Angeles Daily News. 20 April 1988. Z4.
  2. News: Of Being and Johnny Lawrence (Sweep the Leg). Corvallis Gazette-Times. March 10, 2018. Frye. Cory. October 21, 2018.
  3. News: 'Karate Kid' villain Billy Zabka is still best friends with the Cobra Kais. USA Today. October 9, 2014. Strauss. Chris. October 21, 2018.
  4. Web site: ‘Cobra Kai’ Season 2: About That ‘Karate Kid’ Reunion in Episode 6…. 2019-10-21. Topel. Fred. April 27, 2019. /Film.