Johnny Whitaker
A red-haired child star who defined family television in the late 1960s as the charming Jody Davis on the hit sitcom Family Affair.
Born 1959 (age 67)·American actor·Birthday: December 13·Baby Boomers
Biography
Johnny Whitaker originated the role of Scotty on 'General Hospital,' starred as Jody Davis on 'Family Affair' from 1966 to 1971, and played the title role in the 1973 musical 'Tom Sawyer.' Born in 1959, his career began with Hallmark's 'The Littlest Angel.' Unlike many child actors, he navigated a transition out of the spotlight, later working behind the scenes and becoming a certified drug and alcohol counselor, using his own past struggles to help others.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Johnny was born in 1959, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Johnny Was Born
The biggest hits of 1959
#1 Movie
Ben-Hur
Best Picture
Ben-Hur
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Johnny's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1959Born
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1964Started school
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1972Became a teenager
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1975Could drive
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1977Could vote
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Turned 21
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1989Turned 30
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 40
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 50
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 60
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 67 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as Jody Davis for the entire five-season run of the CBS sitcom 'Family Affair,' a top-ten rated show.
- Originated the enduring soap opera role of Scotty Baldwin on 'General Hospital' in 1965.
- Played the title role in the 1973 film adaptation of 'Tom Sawyer,' a major studio musical release.
- Headlined the 1969 Hallmark Hall of Fame television film 'The Littlest Angel.'
Did You Know?
He is a first cousin, once removed, of actress and singer Debbie Reynolds.
After his acting career, he became a certified drug and alcohol counselor.
He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Dominican Republic.
“I learned early that this business is about the work, not the fame.”
