Ronny Cox Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Ronny Cox is an American character actor and singer-songwriter recognized for his standout performances in Deliverance, RoboCop and Total Recall, and for his deeply personal roots-music career.

Introduction

Daniel Ronald “Ronny” Cox, born July 23, 1938, has carved an enduring path in Hollywood and folk music. With an estimated net worth of approximately $5 million according to Celebrity Net Worth, he has balanced a robust film and television career with a passionate commitment to songwriting and live performance.  His personal life is anchored by a long‐standing relationship with Mary Griffith Cox (married 1960), who passed away in December 2006. 

Quick Facts

From Mountain Town to Hollywood Breakthrough

Cox’s story begins in the small New Mexico town of Cloudcroft, where he was born and grew up.  Influenced by his father Bob Cox (a carpenter and part-time dairy worker) and a love of music from an early age, Cox played guitar and called dances during his teen years.

He studied theatre and speech correction at Eastern New Mexico University, graduating in 1963, and then honed his craft on stage in Washington, D.C. and New York before landing his film debut in the 1972 thriller Deliverance.

Defining moments in Ronny Cox’s journey include:

• His casting in Deliverance, where his guitar scene sealed his first major screen role.

• Transitioning from theatre to television and film throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. 

• His notable “authority-figure” roles in films such as Beverly Hills Cop and RoboCop, which gave him broad recognition.

• A purposeful shift toward music and songwriting later in his career, touring extensively and producing albums.

The Core Pillars of Ronny Cox’s Wealth

The core pillars of Ronny Cox’s wealth include:

• Film & Television Income – decades of character acting roles in high‐profile films and TV series provided a steady revenue base.

• Music Career & Touring – Cox’s folk-roots albums, live shows (often over 100 annually) and songwriting royalties contribute a separate income stream.

• Book & Intellectual Property – his autobiography Dueling Banjos: The Deliverance of Drew (2012) and musical catalogue offer long-term value. 

(Please note: exact breakdown numbers are estimated for illustrative purposes.)

Ronny Cox Relationships & Personal Life

Although his public persona is strongly associated with his artistic output, Ronny Cox’s personal life has been defined by a singular long-term commitment.

Cox met Mary Lee Griffith when he was 18 and she was 15; they married in 1960 and had two sons. Mary developed a PhD in chemistry before choosing to support the family and his career. Her passing on December 18, 2006, due to lung cancer, deeply influenced his music and personal narrative.

Key insights into Ronny Cox’s relationships and personal life:

• He refers to Mary as his “first and only love” and speaks about their story in his concerts. 

• The marriage spanned over four decades, during which Mary supported Cox’s dual pursuit of acting and music.

• The loss of Mary prompted a deeper focus on his roots music, storytelling style and legacy beyond screen work.

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Ronny Cox leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• Touring relentlessly with his folk band, performing in theatres and festivals across the U.S. and abroad. 

• Maintaining strong ties to his home region of New Mexico, where he often records, performs and draws inspiration. 

• Prioritizing storytelling and audience intimacy in his live shows—eschewing opening acts and preferring to engage the audience directly. 

• Embracing roles beyond acting, such as musician, author and speaker—reflecting a multidimensional identity.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Ronny Cox’s public image is multifaceted: a dependable character actor, a committed musician and a storyteller who values connection. In the film world he’s often cast as the figure of authority—police chiefs, antagonists or high‐ranking officials—but off-screen he presents as genuine, reflective and rooted in his folk-music ethos. 

His legacy lies in the dual‐track career: being known as the actor who played Dick Jones in RoboCop, yet simultaneously the musician who will greet you on stage and share a story with you like an old friend. His influence resonates in two spheres: the character actor community (showing durability and adaptability) and the folk-music community (demonstrating that creative reinvention is possible).

Conclusion

Ronny Cox’s story is one of transition and depth—from a New Mexico childhood to Hollywood character roles and then a full embrace of his musical roots. His estimated net worth of around $5 million speaks to steady earnings rather than flash wealth, and his birthdate of July 23, 1938 and birthday celebration on July 23 are reminders of a long career lived on his own terms. His relationships—especially his decades-long bond with Mary Griffith Cox—underscore a personal life shaped by dedication and loss. As audiences continue to discover his dual artistry, Ronny Cox remains a figure whose legacy stretches across screens, stages and stories, reminding us that a life in the arts can evolve gracefully and meaningfully.