Whatever Happened to Rodney Allen Rippy?

[@kirkhonore]

To hear a child star doing well without having to go through a lot of tragic circumstances is a treasure. Rodney is definitely one of the hallmarks of the 70's and again, good to know he's doing well.

[@GerarddeSouza-yt3fc]

Always nice to hear when a former child star is doing well.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing, Kirk!

[@RomulanWarbirdDecloaking-sd2ir]

​​@@GerarddeSouza-yt3fcAbsolutely 💯 .... this KZbin video,of Rodney Allen Rippy, bring back childhood memories, little child back in Detroit, and would enjoy the Jack in the Box, commercials, with Rodney Allen Riplpy...🥲. Happy that he's doing well in Life 👍.......

[@the9-2-5outlawgamer]

He made a cameo as himself in the David Spade comedy Dickie Roberts Former child Star.

[@sassysue6472]

Glad to hear he did well. He seems like a very nice guy. He was an adorable child!!

[@jdsundstrom]

Yep. Very adorable. Sadly...that phase doesn't last all that long.

[@sassysue6472]

@@jdsundstrom that’s the tragedy of so many child stars. They can’t or don’t transition into a different career once their childhood is over. Not a good life for children.

[@juanpardell3068]

We graduated from the same college.

[@Christopher-jk9bj]

I remember Rodney as a little kid, when I was a little kid. Glad to hear he is doing well 😊👍

[@sophiemorrison9820]

I'm glad to hear of a positive story about a former child star for a change.😊

[@jdsundstrom]

I love sharing stories with happy endings.

[@RomulanWarbirdDecloaking-sd2ir]

@@sophiemorrison9820 Exactly 💯 and remember the kid from the LIFE breakfast cereal 🥣 commercial, Mikey, he hates everything..... They did an article about him years ago... He's doing well in his life, I think 🤔 he's working and living in New York City. another fun commercial from back in day ‼️😊

[@seaninness334]

Glad to hear he is doing well. Thanks Dave. Definitely a face seen a lot in the 70's.

[@jdsundstrom]

You're most welcome, Sean. And...thank you for all your support.

[@teresacarosella7624]

He was so cute in the jack in the box commercial. Good for him for making good in a positive way

[@42042O]

Glad Rodney didn’t turn out like some of them. I didn’t know much about him so thank you for the update.

[@jdsundstrom]

You're most welcome. Thanks for the comment!

[@JP5466]

That Jack In The Box burger is now 3x smaller and almost 10x more money.

[@jdsundstrom]

Not sure about the 3x smaller part...but 10x more money sounds about right.

[@henryscafe8364]

seems all the Big burgers downsized

[@RomulanWarbirdDecloaking-sd2ir]

Yeah !! It's called Shrink Flation 💲💲💲😆😆😆😆

[@danielroque8504]

"Wheres the beef" ....

[@mewregaurdhissyfit7733]

I started eating fast food when I got my first car back in the late 70s. I LOVED Jack in the Box. And yeah, those burgers were pretty big.....bigger than Burger Kings Whoppers. And like everything over the years.........its shrunk and gotten more expensive.

[@TheJd195555]

I remember Rodney Allen Rippy very well. We loved him, and his song "TAKE LIFE A LITTLE EASIER." God bless you Rodney Allen Rippy. ❤️

[@CraigFThompson]

"Pack up the kids, crank up the car, to Jack in the Box/come as you like, come as you are, to Jack in the Box!"

[@RomulanWarbirdDecloaking-sd2ir]

Remember those commercials 👍, 🥲

[@michellemoore4585]

@@CraigFThompson This just transported me waaay back! That song is now going to be in my head for a while.

[@spr_records]

Before Gary Coleman, there was Rodney.

[@jdsundstrom]

Exactly.

[@SynthMusicWorld]

Thanks for the update on Mr. Rippy! It's great to see that he didn't succumb to a life of addiction like many child stars do once their careers in acting start to reach an end, but rather he was able to get himself an education in a field that is always in demand. Hopefully he was able to fund his college education from the earnings he made as an actor.

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Scott. Thanks for the comment...and all your support!

[@rodneyrippy7099]

It's Good people like you and my parents who stayed in my corner and cheered for me. Thanks for all the years of support. Rodney Allen Rippy

[@JP5466]

The best part of that SMDM episode is Rodney's reaction when Steve Austin bent his broken bicycle back into shape.

[@jdsundstrom]

I haven't seen that episode in years...but I vaguely remember that!

[@sekenamcmurren2217]

I remember seeing him in the Jack In The Box commercials 🍔and the show's of that era in the early 70's, he was so cute and adorable Dave.😂

[@suryadas6987]

Great upload, Dave. This positive story was very touching. I definitely remember that commercial! 😎🤙 Way to go, Mr. Rippy!!! 🫡 🇺🇸 ❤

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@derricklowe2823]

😊 I hadn't seen that commercial in at least 47 years and it just looked so different, even though I remember the verbal interaction word for word. Rodney Allen Rippy 🎶 Take life a little easier, make life a little easier 🎶. Glad he's doing well as an adult. He brought smiles to a lot of kids and some adults when those commercials came on ☺.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing, Derrick!

[@eggsngritstn]

The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine!! I loved that show.

[@mikekannely2286]

I love to hear about child actors who made it in real life. RAR seems like he's doing well, and I am very happy for him. Thanks!

[@jons.6216]

He was such a cute kid in the midst of a really magical time of TV and advertisements!

[@jdsundstrom]

TV commercials really were better back then, weren't they? 🙂

[@cadeevans4623]

Awesome information Dave thanks for sharing great video

[@jdsundstrom]

Glad you enjoyed it, Cade!

[@cadeevans4623]

Sure did enjoyed it Dave

[@lisafields3403]

I loved him as a kid great ti see he's doing well

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing, Lisa!

[@merkury06]

Thank you for the good news about Rodney Allen Rippy!

[@jdsundstrom]

You are very welcome

[@sniperjay0916]

Wow! Flavor Flav did a celebrity interview with Ice Cube a while ago on Rock the Bells radio. He told Cube he had a surprise guest on the phone, and it was Rodney Allen Ripley! Cube was happy and told him when seeing him on t.v, he knew it was possible that all of us could do it! That was a good day! Flavor Flav!

[@jdsundstrom]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@TiffaniHall-g7l]

I Will Forever Love Rodney Allen Rippy, Loved The Regal Sound Of His Name More. Thank You For The Update!

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for watching!

[@GeorgeMaster-xg7lg]

I so remember Rodney! The Jack In The Box commercial with the jumbo jack he has difficulty eating sticks in my head.

[@wandahall4435]

Thanks for posting Dave❤❤❤

[@jdsundstrom]

You bet

[@marlenepearson3936]

How great 👍 I haven't thought of him in years. I'm happy he did so well. Thanks Dave 😊

[@jdsundstrom]

Very welcome

[@thrashpondopons8348]

Loved the Pop-Corn Machine when I was a kid!

[@SteveCarras]

Me, too

[@jdsundstrom]

That was a fun show. Thanks for all your support, Bob!

[@BrooklynGirl1723]

Still has that wonderful smile and yes, he still is adorable! 😊

[@jdsundstrom]

Agreed!

[@calvinmarshall1610]

Thank you for the update great story I really liked him also glad he has a good story. Thanks for sharing

[@jdsundstrom]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@epicsseven7686]

This brings back memories. We're the same age. Time flies by. We're getting old.

[@rachel-in-the-208]

This was very good!! I am one of those people who always wonder “whatever happened to …”

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Rachel!

[@rodneyrippy7099]

I'm Still Hanging In There ...Enjoying Life! Rodney Allen Rippy

[@daledeimel1833]

I grew up in So Cal and I remember Rodney so well. We all loved him. So happy that he has done amazing for he and his family. Go Rodney.

[@CatriniaSmith-li7de]

He had great parents that's why he survived Hollywood. He will always be loved and remembered❤❤❤❤❤

[@thestevedoughtyshow27]

In the Jackbox days, I was in high school. My last year of high school I when to see Blazing saddles. He was a cool little boy, I'm glad he did well in life.

[@illuminadi5848]

Great video! Brings back a lot of memories.

[@jdsundstrom]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@YUHJKT]

Great story. I'm happy he did so well.

[@Redlined997_C2S]

Great to hear. Positive waves.

[@Willa4420]

You are AMAZING !!! I remember this kid !!! Thanks for doing a video on him !!!

[@jdsundstrom]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tonyt8805]

"It's too big-a-eat" I always love that as a kid! 😊 🤗 😊

[@thankthelord4536]

I remember him. He was all over the place like Gary Coleman.

[@kimmoore7799]

Wow ! Talk about blast from the past. TFS

[@LovingShadow-e3k]

WOW, that's a name I've hadn't heard for like forever. It's great to hear he's doing great. And he still has the same smile.

[@pinedelgado4743]

I've always admired RAR (Rodney Allen Rippy)! He's about the same age as I am. BTW, JACK-IN-THE-BOX is headquartered right here in my birthplace and hometown of San Diego, California I'm proud and happy to report!! :) :)

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing, PD!

[@rodneyrippy7099]

San Diego...is a Beautiful Place To Live..... Thanks for the support! Rodney Allen Rippy

[@peachesj4748]

San Diego, California, America's Finest City. I miss it, I'm no longer there. 😭

[@rawhidewolf]

Thanks. I hadn't thought about him in over 45 years. Back then, as today's kids say, he went viral.

[@ralphbenites1312]

I remember that commercial in the 70’s

[@allthingsnu4673]

Thanks for doing such a positive update on Rodney Allen Rippy! I am about 3 years older than him and remember seeing him on TV when I was a kid. God bless him!

[@jdsundstrom]

You're most welcome. Thanks for the comment!

[@JAnotherday]

I was older than Rodney, though still a child myself I just enjoyed this cute face and laugh. "Take life a little easier"

[@nick_vee]

Wow, what a coincidence. I’ve been listening all week to an 8-track of his “Take Life a Little Easier” album that I bought from a seller on a Facebook group. Then you posted this video. Good to hear he’s doing well and “taking life a little easier.”

[@jdsundstrom]

I wish I'd said that in the video!

[@t.nelson9345]

Thanks for the smile today Dave😊

[@jdsundstrom]

You're most welcome!

[@KingD-light]

I remember when I was a kid everybody used to say that me and him look a lot alike. We don't now but back then we did😂

[@Beautifulmusiclistnr]

I loved Rodney Allen Rippy! He was the coolest! I'm glad he is well!

[@maximusprime3459]

I remember last I saw him on anything, he did quick bit parts in the early 90s on Parker Lewis Can't Lose.

[@jdsundstrom]

Yep. Just a one-shot...but, it was still fun to see him on the screen again.

[@frschoonover1]

I remember when Mad Magazine parodied him, in name only, in their parody of the TV series Diff'rent Strokes, which they called Diff'rent Jokes. Mad really parodied Gary Coleman's character on the series by making him a really spoiled rotten child star type named Arnut (parody name for Arnold). As a result of this, Mr. Dumbon (parody name for Mr. Drummond) brings him to the "former child star closet" and shows him two pictures, which were of both Rodney Allen Rippy and Mason Reese, with Mr. Dumbon saying "Here they are; Rodney Allen Whoopee (parody name) and Mason Wheeze (also parody name). Two kids who were once as hot as you. Today, they're listed under 'Where are they now?' " , with Arnut answering; "I'll be good, Mr. Dumbon. I'll be good." This only shows that when it came to parodies, there was nothing sacred to Mad Magazine. Not only that, in the same parody, Mr. Dumbon made a reference to being on the TV series "Maude", which was canceled the same year by CBS that Diff'rent Strokes premeired on NBC. Not only that, Mad also parodied Maude by calling it Bawde, and Arthur's parody name was "Artery". Thanks for uploading. Looking forward to more.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jamiecrawford8133]

Mad Magazine was hilarious loved it as a kid.

[@chevycamaro78]

The June 1980 issue of Mad….remember it well!

[@rodneyrippy7099]

Nope....That was Gary Coleman

[@frschoonover1]

@@rodneyrippy7099 In the Mad parody of the Diff'rent Strokes series, they did parody Rodney Allen Rippy as "Rodney Allen Whoopee". I know so because I remember reading the parody a long time ago. They also did the same for Mason Reese as "Mason Wheeze" when Mr. Dumbon showed him two pictures of two particular child stars. Trust me on this, please. Thanks.

[@pamelamays4186]

That was one of my favorite commercials.

[@danielroque8504]

Rodney~~We grew up together on TV~~I remember that TV Guide cover as well.....the good old days...

[@williamwelch7]

Thanks Dave

[@jdsundstrom]

You're most welcome, William!

[@brendabunch2590]

❤❤❤Thanks for sharing Mr. Dave❤️❤️❤️

[@jdsundstrom]

You are so welcome, Brenda!

[@sassymessmess9110]

One of my first crushes!

[@nealsandidge3951]

Great to hear he's still doing well!

[@rollerholy100]

Thanks for sharing this..I actually had a Rodney Allen Rippy doll growing up.

[@jdsundstrom]

Very cool!

[@JohnBarrow1961]

He was a cute kid. Glad to hear he's doing well.

[@jehobden]

I'll have to read that TVG article sometime. I don't recall his JitB commercials, so I first remember him in HGPM also. I do remember a circa-1979 interview on perhaps 20/20 where he appeared to be a sad 11-year-old out of the spotlight, so I'm glad he's gone on to a productive adult life.

[@dannystaton5386]

I remember himmmmmmm

[@rodneyrippy7099]

Hey.....Its Only been 53 years hahahah Best Wishes....Thank God We Are Still Hanging In There! Rodney Allen Rippy

[@obbor4]

As another child of the times, of course, I was providing a stereo dialog along with little Rodney as I watched the clip of the Jack-in-the-Box commercial. 😊😊

[@jdsundstrom]

Love it!

[@CraigFThompson]

One set of images is missing from this video; there was a commercial where we see Mr. Rippy as a child, and after a few seconds, the camera backs out and we see him as a young adult, announcing what he did in the commercial.

[@frodofraggins]

Hmm. I don't remember him at all. but then again we never had Jack in the Box in my area

[@emanuellawton7942]

Rodney was a neighbor of mine who lived across the street from me Delta Ave. In Long Beach,Ca. in 1970s.

[@rodneyrippy7099]

2941 Delta!!!!!! LONG BEACH Is in my heart forever! Rodney Allen Rippy

[@stonefree1911]

Great bring back Dave!

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks!

[@RonaldWilliams-lp3bg]

I grew up on his burger commercials when I was a kid in the seventies I'm glad to see he's doing good 👍

[@dashriprock9014]

"Come as you like, come as you are, to the Jack in the Box..."

[@fvrrljr]

*i looked for this comment* *singing-a-long Come as you like, come as you are, to the Jack in the Box...*

[@desertwind306]

Total respect...

[@WreckingKrew00]

I remember him well I'm glad he's doing fine. He was a very intelligent kid back then . There weren't many INTELLIGENT Black kids doing television commercials back then he was one of the first and he did it well.

[@rodneyrippy7099]

Thanks for all the years of support and I was blessed to have had that opportunity and I never took it granted! Thanks for the positive vibes! Rodney Allen Rippy

[@jerrygillespie1214]

I miss Jack in the Box. They had it in New York

[@therosarylady]

Awesome video!! So happy for the update on this guy...😊

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[@leesashriber5097]

I wish we had a Jack n the box in Ohio!! So glad to hear he's doing well. He seems like a wonderful man. Thank you Dave!!😊

[@jdsundstrom]

We're finally getting a Jack in the Box in my town. Not sure how to feel about it. More temptation, gosh darn it!

[@leesashriber5097]

@@jdsundstrom , can't wait for your review!!!😊

[@rodneyrippy7099]

All the Rippy's are from Dayton, OH!!! Just FYI

[@RomulanWarbirdDecloaking-sd2ir]

@@leesashriber5097 You still have a wonderful restaurant from that era ! Author Treacher's Fish and Chips !! I also remember the commercial from back in the 60's and 70's ....

[@LaserRanger15]

Success story. Good to hear.

[@jdsundstrom]

I love sharing them. 🙂

[@mushluvdbyjah9202]

One of my best friends and did a lot of radio work in Compton with him. A gem of a guy!

[@jdsundstrom]

I've heard nothing but good things about Rodney. Thanks for sharing!

[@kimr5479]

WOW, I remember him, glad to know he's doing well!👍😊

[@waitforit5146]

He was such an adorable little guy. So glad he's doing well.

[@stantheman9072]

Well, if you've ever been to Compton, you'd know that Rodney's vibe doesn't play there. His celebrity and public memory of it would have worked against him. Also, The Odd Couple cameo he did was a hoot in that he turned out to be the owner of Felix and Oscar's apartment building and fired their landlord (played by the great Victor Buono) over their dispute with him.

[@jdsundstrom]

He fired King Tut?!!?

[@kalmac6255]

I remember him. Glad he's okay and not suffering what so many of his peers did.

[@gabrielladelacroix2179]

A very nice video! So nice to hear that a former child star grew up to work work hard and is successful! What a nice man!!!

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@CrazyHank36]

I don't think those Jumbo Jacks are that big anymore, lol. I remember when he was on Tom Sender's late night show and he was talking about his JITB Commercial and Synder didn't know what Jack in The Box was. I could be wrong about some of it, it had to be at least 50 years ago. Great video Dave.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing, Jack!

[@kennethwilkinson8244]

i havent seen a jack in the box, in a long time.

[@jdsundstrom]

They're building one just up the street from me. So many fast food choices these days!

[@Cap-ku6ok]

Thank you for this, I have not heard that name in decades.

[@jdsundstrom]

You're most welcome. 🙂

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

♥🍔Never realized how much he resembles Gary Coleman when he was a kid. 🤗📺👼🙏

[@richdouglas2311]

I'm from San Diego, the home of Jack in the Box. His commercials were all over the TV back then. (I was in my early teens.) Good stuff and cute kid. Ironically, the things that make kids like that so adorable don't often translate to adulthood. It's because their looks exaggerate features that, as kids, are cute. But when they grow up, not so much. Think Mason Reese, Robbie Rist, and more recently Robert Iler (AJ Soprano) and David Faustino (Bud Bundy). One of the things that makes kids adorable is their outsized heads. They look like caricatures. (Reach over your head and touch your opposite ear. Then ask a kid to do it--he/she can't--their head is too big). The facial features that make them cute at 6 are sometimes not very cute at 26. Then have them say dialog that's often beyond their actual years and voila! You have a cute superstar. For a little while. The kids who seem to do best at transitioning to adult acting take some time away from it all. Jodie Foster, Brooke Shields, and Mayim Bialik to name a few. They go elsewhere, get grounded, then return to success. (Some go and never come back. I still miss you and Lumpy, Frank Bank.) And it's nice to be reminded that not all "Where are they now?" questions get a sad answer.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing, Rich! I truly appreciate all your support.

[@rodneyrippy7099]

I'm glad I grew hahaha the best is yet to come! Rodney Allen Rippy

[@LymanPhillips]

Dude. I akways live your positive comments - even when qctors oe former qctirs have a tough time. Thanks for choosing someone doing well.

[@jdsundstrom]

You're most welcome, Lyman...and thanks for the kind words!

[@bobthebear1246]

I'm so glad to hear he turned-out great. I still need to see _Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star._ I know a lot of former child stars were in that film in various cameos.

[@thomasritz4863]

Put a smile on my face to hear he is doing well!

[@MelvinBowden-cx6tq]

He is an iconic young man who needs his accomplishments acknowledged

[@Rendezman562]

he was pre Gary Coleman and Webster.

[@chickypooh73]

I never went to jack in the box around here either

[@WilliamChappell-f5w]

I remember Rodney Allen Rippy mostly for the Jacks commercials in the early 70s

[@WilliamChappell-f5w]

His commercials we're all over the place especially in 1972

[@katejohnson2611]

Right now, Rodney Allen Rippy, take a bow!

[@jancw]

That kid was the bane of our parents' existence because he kept us begging for fast-food burgers! I'm just kidding, but he did have those hamburgers looking mighty good! I'm so glad he's doing well. It's nice to see a "child star" success story for a change.

[@demetriharlan5887]

I remember him.

[@monicad351]

Rodney was on Oprah talking about his life with other child actors. Hey Rodney! 👋🏾

[@rodneyrippy7099]

Yes Oprah flew us all 1st Class to Baltimore for the very special taping! We stayed at the Inner Harbor Hotel...... Rodney Allen Rippy

[@DavidSmith-xs3or]

I used to love those Jack-in-the-box tv ads. That burger was as big as his face. I used to wish I was as cute as he was back then. The thing is, I never ate at Jack-in-the-box. I guess with me, it was either McDonald's or Burger King. Sometime later, I developed a liking fir Wendy's.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing!