Nikki Cox is an American former actress who rose to fame in the 1990s and 2000s with her roles in sitcoms like Unhappily Ever After, The Norm Show, and Nikki. She also starred in the drama series Las Vegas as Mary Connell, a casino event planner. However, after leaving the show in 2007, she has been largely absent from the public eye. What happened to Nikki Cox and where is she now?
Who is Nikki Cox?
Early life
Nikki Cox was born on June 2, 1978, in Los Angeles, California. She began her career at the age of four, when she appeared as a dancer in several ballet productions and TV specials. She was discovered by a Hollywood agent while taking dance classes and landed her first acting role at the age of 10.
Acting career
Cox made her debut in the sitcom Mama’s Family in 1988 and then appeared in movies like Moonwalker and Mac and Me. She also guest-starred on shows like Baywatch, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Eerie, Indiana, and Blossom. She gained recognition for her role as Tiffany Malloy, the smart and sexy daughter of a dysfunctional family, in the comedy series Unhappily Ever After, which ran from 1995 to 1999.
Cox continued to work in television after Unhappily Ever After ended. She played a former call girl turned social worker in The Norm Show from 1999 to 2001 and then starred in her own sitcom Nikki, where she played a Las Vegas showgirl married to a wrestler. The show lasted for two seasons from 2000 to 2002.
Cox’s most successful role was as Mary Connell in the NBC drama Las Vegas, which followed the lives of the staff and guests of a fictional casino. Cox played a loyal and compassionate event planner who had a troubled past and a complicated love life. She was a regular cast member for four seasons from 2003 to 2007 and appeared in 88 episodes.
What Happened to Nikki Cox?
Relationship with Jay Mohr
Cox met comedian and actor Jay Mohr on the set of Las Vegas in 2004 and they got engaged in February 2006. They married on December 29, 2006, in Los Angeles. Mohr even legally changed his name to Jon Ferguson Cox Mohr to honor his wife. The couple had a son named Meredith Daniel in 2011.
However, their marriage was not smooth sailing. Mohr filed for divorce from Cox twice, first in July 2016 and then again in December 2016. He cited irreconcilable differences and requested sole physical custody of their son. He also accused Cox of having mental health issues, drug abuse problems, and poor parenting skills. He claimed that she threatened to commit suicide several times and that she neglected their son’s well-being.
The divorce was finalized in August 2018 after a bitter legal battle. Mohr got sole physical custody of their son while Cox got visitation rights. The terms of their settlement were kept confidential.
Role in “Las Vegas”
Cox’s departure from Las Vegas was also controversial. She did not return for the fifth and final season of the show, which aired from 2007 to 2008. Her character was written out by implying that she killed her abusive father and went on the run from the law.
Some fans speculated that Cox left the show because of her plastic surgery procedures, which altered her appearance drastically. Others suggested that she wanted to focus on her family life with Mohr. However, the real reason behind her exit was never confirmed by Cox or the show’s producers.
Recent projects
Cox has not been active in the entertainment industry since leaving Las Vegas. Her last acting credit was as the voice of Jenna in the video game Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust in 2009. She also appeared in a comedy film called Lonely Street that same year.
In 2016, Cox was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album as the sole writer of Mohr’s album Happy. And A Lot. This was her only involvement in show business in recent years.
Where is Nikki Cox Now?
Her current whereabouts
Cox has been living a low-profile life since her divorce from Mohr and her retirement from acting. She does not have any social media accounts or public appearances. Her current location is unknown, but she may still be residing in Los Angeles.
According to some sources, Cox has been struggling with drug addiction and depression for a long time. She has also been rumored to have undergone multiple cosmetic surgeries that have changed her facial features significantly.
Future projects
Cox has not announced any plans to return to acting or pursue any other career path. She may be focusing on her personal life and her son’s welfare. She may also be dealing with her health issues and trying to overcome her challenges.
It is unclear if Cox will ever make a comeback to the spotlight or if she prefers to stay away from it. Fans can only hope that she is happy and healthy wherever she is.
Conclusion
Nikki Cox is a former actress who was famous for her roles in sitcoms like Unhappily Ever After and Las Vegas. She married comedian Jay Mohr in 2006 and had a son with him in 2011. However, their marriage ended in a messy divorce in 2018. Cox has not acted since 2009 and has been living a private life away from the public eye. She has also faced rumors of drug abuse, mental illness, and plastic surgery. Her current whereabouts and future projects are unknown.