‘Family Affair’ Star Johnny Whitaker Opens Up About Anissa Jones’ Tragic Death

Johnny Whitaker — the red-haired, freckle-faced boy who gained fame as Jody Davis on Family Affair — began his screen career at age 3, so he was already a pro when, at 6 years old, he starred on the show opposite his onscreen sister Anissa Jones.

At the MidSouth Nostalgia Festival in June, Whitaker reflected on his memories of Jones, who passed tragically in 1976, as well as how he ended up on the show in the first place — a story that involves his role in the 1966 film, The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming, which also featured one of his Family Affair costars, Brian Keith.