Basic Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Otelia Cox |
| Born | Early 1960s (exact date and place undisclosed) |
| Age (approx.) | ~65 years old (in 2025) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American (consistent with family background) |
| Occupation | Private individual / homemaker (no publicly documented career) |
| Spouse | Tony Cox (Joseph Anthony Cox), born March 31, 1958 |
| Marriage | c. 1981 (some accounts cite 1989; primary timeline favors 1981) |
| Children | One child (name and details kept private) |
| Public profile | Very private; limited media mentions, few direct public appearances |
Life and Early Years
Otelia Cox’s early life is a study in deliberate privacy. Born in the early 1960s, she grew up during a dynamic social period in the United States, but public records and biographical sketches preserve only a few brushstrokes of her origin. What emerges most clearly is where her personal story intersects with another life: a high-school meeting that would become a marriage stretching four decades. She met Tony Cox at Robert C. Hatch High School in Uniontown, Alabama, in the 1970s, and that teenage connection shaped the arc of her adult life.
This is a life described through absence as much as presence: absent are the public degrees, job titles, and awards; present is a long marriage, a child, and a choice to steward family life away from headlines. Like a quiet current beneath a river, Otelia’s influence is detectable not by direct claims but by the steadiness of the household she helped maintain.
Marriage, Family, and Private Life
Otelia’s public persona revolves around family. Tony Cox, an actor born March 31, 1958, is their 40+-year spouse. Most timelines place their marriage in 1981, with some citing 1989. The couple and their child have been kept from journalistic exposure, which explains the variations.
| Family Member | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tony Cox (b. Mar 31, 1958) | Husband | Actor with ~50 credits across film and television; known for roles in Bad Santa (2003), Friday (1995), Me, Myself & Irene (2000), Date Movie (2006), Epic Movie (2007). |
| Unnamed Child | Child | Born after the couple’s marriage; identity and current life kept private by family. |
Their steadiness reads like a long, patient song: unconventional in Hollywood, conventional in commitment. Otelia’s role has been described as the emotional backbone of the family, a private life that has allowed an actor’s public career to proceed with a private anchor.
Role Behind the Scenes
Neither filmed interviews nor credited projects nor public offices have been held by Otelia. Instead, Tony Cox’s constant comments about family grounding, the lack of scandal, and their careful concealment of their child from media suggest her impact. Otelia’s successes are domestic and relational, making up the unseen labour that keeps a household running under the stresses of an entertainment career.
Metaphorically, she functions as the house’s foundation: unseen in daily view, crucial when storms blow. That foundation allowed Tony to pursue a career spanning more than four decades and dozens of roles, often in films that grossed tens of millions domestically.
Career, Finances, and Public Presence
Although Otelia has no public career record, family wealth and charitable engagement are sometimes discussed. Tony Cox’s acting earnings, estimated at $2–4 million, drive family wealth estimates. Otelia’s personal assets are unknown, although her net worth is estimated between $100,000 and $500,000.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Documented career | None publicly documented |
| Reported family net worth | Tony Cox: estimated $2–4 million (acting, endorsements); Otelia: speculative $100K–$500K personal assets |
| Philanthropy | Occasional unverified mentions of family philanthropy; no confirmed public foundation or filings |
| Public engagement | Very limited; occasional biographical mentions in 2024–2025; no active personal social media presence |
Their public footprint is deliberately small. Mentions of Otelia in media from 2024–2025 are generally biographical, celebratory, or speculative rather than reporting on real-time events. Social platforms and video content focus on Tony; references to Otelia are indirect, often framed as the “supportive spouse” in fatherly or husbandly profiles.
Timeline of Key Dates and Milestones
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Early 1960s | Otelia Cox is born (exact date and place undisclosed). |
| 1970s | Meets Tony Cox at Robert C. Hatch High School in Uniontown, Alabama. |
| c. 1981 | Marriage to Tony Cox (some accounts suggest 1989; primary timeline favors 1981). |
| Post-1981 | Birth of the couple’s one child (details withheld). |
| 1980s–2000s | Supports Tony through acting career peaks, including films in 1990s–2000s. |
| 2024–2025 | Featured in retrospective and biographical profiles emphasizing private life and support role. |
Numbers here—years, ages, credit counts—act as reliable anchors in a biography largely defined by omissions. Where exact data are absent, ranges and qualifiers are used instead, preserving fidelity to the family’s chosen privacy.
Public Image and Media Mentions
Media coverage of Otelia is deliberately low. She is praised with words like “devoted,” “private,” and “supportive”. Some recent biographies use frivolous language—“inspiring legacy,” “unseen partner”—that reads like love stories. The couple’s desire to keep their child private has caused reported gaps and factual contradictions.
Otelia’s image—what little there is—functions as a counterpoint to celebrity spectacle: quiet, steadfast, and intentionally unflashy. She offers an alternative model of public life: one that prioritizes family privacy over personal brand.
FAQ
Who is Otelia Cox?
Otelia Cox is a private American woman best known as the longtime wife and partner of actor Tony Cox, and she has intentionally maintained a low public profile.
When was she born?
She was born in the early 1960s; exact date and birthplace are not publicly disclosed.
How long have Otelia and Tony been married?
The couple has been married for over four decades; their marriage is commonly dated to around 1981, though some accounts list 1989.
Do they have children?
Yes, they have one child whose name and personal details have been kept private.
Does Otelia have a career in the public eye?
No; Otelia does not have a publicly documented career and is described primarily as a homemaker and family supporter.
What is her estimated net worth?
Public speculation ties her finances to Tony Cox’s estimated $2–4 million in career earnings, while personal net worth estimates vary and lack verification.
Is Otelia active on social media?
No; there is no known active public social media presence for Otelia, and most mentions are indirect through posts about Tony.
Has she given interviews or public statements?
No public interviews or first-person statements by Otelia are known; her voice remains private in public records.