Danny Cooksey Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

A Childhood Star with a Versatile Legacy

Danny Cooksey—born November 2, 1975 in Moore, Oklahoma—began his journey in entertainment at a remarkably young age. As a child actor, he captured audiences’ hearts with his role as Sam McKinney during the final seasons of Diff'rent Strokes. 

But Cooksey didn’t stay confined to live-action roles. Over the decades he broadened his craft to voice acting and music, building a multi-faceted career that many former child stars only dream of.

From Nickelodeon Fame to Cult Animated Classics

Cooksey’s early success on “Diff'rent Strokes” paved the way for memorable performances, such as his portrayal of Bobby Budnick in the beloved teen series Salute Your Shorts.

As adolescence gave way to young adulthood, he seamlessly transitioned into film — most notably as Tim, a friend of young John Connor, in the blockbuster Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).

Yet arguably his most enduring legacy comes from voice acting. He lent his voice to iconic characters in animated shows such as Tiny Toon Adventures (as Montana “Monty” Max), Xiaolin Showdown (as Jack Spicer), Dave the Barbarian (title role), and several others, including stints in the DC Animated Universe.

Beyond acting, Cooksey explored his passion for music — serving as lead singer of the band Bad4Good that released the album Refugee under Interscope in 1992. Over time, he continued to release music with other collaborations including a Western-flavored project with Shelter Dogs.

These transitions reflect not just breadth, but adaptability — a rare quality that has allowed Cooksey to sustain a career across changing eras of entertainment.

Personal Life: Family, Relationships, Resilience

Danny Cooksey’s personal story is deeply intertwined with his professional one. He married Amber Leigh Cooksey on March 3, 1998. 

The couple welcomed two children: a daughter named Zoë Leigh and a son named Jackson Paul.

Over the years, their family faced significant challenges — Amber reportedly suffered from epilepsy. That difficult reality led Cooksey to become an advocate for epilepsy awareness and support.

According to some sources, the marriage lasted until approximately 2019. 

Despite personal struggles, Cooksey continued to focus on his craft — pivoting toward voice-acting and mentoring others, even teaching acting in Los Angeles.

Financial Standing: What’s Known About His Net Worth

Reliable and verified reporting on Danny Cooksey’s net worth is surprisingly scarce. Many celebrity-net worth aggregate websites list figures, but their methodology and sourcing are often opaque. As of early 2025, one site summarizing his career notes his longstanding role as a working actor and musician, but does not confirm a concrete valuation.

Given Cooksey’s decades-long presence in acting (live-action and voice), occasional music releases, and likelihood of residual earnings from classic shows and films, it’s reasonable to infer a modest yet stable income — but published figures should be taken with caution.

Until reputable outlets like Forbes, Bloomberg, or People provide verified estimates, any specific “net worth” number remains speculative.

The Creative Stamina Behind His Journey

What stands out about Danny Cooksey is not just longevity — but reinvention. Many child stars struggle with the transition to adult roles. Cooksey avoided that pitfall by branching into voice acting and music, even embracing teaching and mentorship in later years.

He is part of the rare group of performers whose careers evolved with changing entertainment landscapes: from sitcoms to Saturday-morning cartoons, to animated TV in the streaming/nostalgia era. His choice to engage in meaningful advocacy — driven by personal hardship — adds depth to his public persona beyond acting credits.

His story offers lessons in resilience: staying active creatively, adapting to new mediums, and using personal challenges as fuel for purpose.

Observations on Public Data Gaps & Why It Matters

• No major — and no reliably sourced — publication currently backs any specific net-worth figure for Cooksey.

• His personal life, especially family challenges, is handled with discretion in public records, making it difficult to paint a full picture without speculation.

• However, the diversity of his work (acting, voice, music, teaching) offers multiple revenue streams, which can contribute to financial stability even without blockbuster-level fame.

For celebrity-profile writers and fans alike, Cooksey reminds us: success in entertainment doesn’t always mean headline-making wealth — sometimes it looks like steady creative survival, quiet influence, and personal evolution.