Manuel Padilla Jr.

Manuel Padilla Jr. (July 13, 1955 – January 29, 2008) was an American child actor whose career blossomed at an early age, beginning his on‑screen journey when he was just eight years old. Born in Los Angeles, California, Padilla quickly became a recognizable face on television, most famously portraying the cheerful and adventurous servant Jai on the 1960s Tarzan series starring Ron Ely, a role that endeared him to audiences and cemented his place in pop‑culture folklore. In addition to the television series, he appeared alongside Mike Henry in two mid‑1960s Tarzan feature films, demonstrating a versatility that extended beyond the small screen and into the cinematic realm. As he transitioned into his teenage years, Padilla continued to secure roles in iconic Westerns such as Rawhide, Bonanza, and Gunsmoke, as well as in family‑oriented sitcoms like Happy Days and The Flying Nun, showcasing his ability to adapt to varied genres and production styles. His most notable adult breakthrough came with the cult classic American Graffiti (1973), where he portrayed a youthful hitchhiker, and he reprised a related role in its sequel More American Graffiti (1979), linking his early child‑star legacy to a new generation of filmgoers. Though his on‑screen appearances dwindled after the early 1980s, Padilla’s final credit came with a small but memorable part in Brian De Palma’s seminal crime drama Scarface (1983), marking the end of a two‑decade‑long career that spanned television, westerns, comedies, and gritty drama. Tragically, Padilla’s life was cut short when he succumbed to colon cancer on January 29, 2008, at the age of 52, leaving behind a legacy of youthful charm and a body of work that continues to be celebrated by classic‑film enthusiasts.