Quick Facts About Tony Dakota
- Full Name: Anthony Charlie DePiano
- Stage Name: Tony Dakota
- Date of Birth: August 2, 1981 (Age 44)
- Birthplace: Auburn, Washington
- Occupation: Former Child Actor
- Known For: Georgie Denbrough in It (1990)
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
Tony Dakota is a name that might not ring a bell right away — unless you grew up watching horror in the early ’90s. If you’ve ever seen the 1990 TV mini-series of Stephen King’s It, you’ll remember the little boy in the yellow raincoat chasing a paper boat down the gutter. That was Tony Dakota, playing Georgie Denbrough in one of the most iconic opening scenes in horror TV history.
Born Anthony Charlie DePiano on August 2, 1981, Dakota worked as a child actor through the late 1980s and into the early 1990s. He appeared in a handful of TV shows and a feature film before stepping away from Hollywood almost entirely. Here’s what we know about his career, his real name, and what he’s been up to since.
Early Life
Tony Dakota was born Anthony Charlie DePiano in 1981. There’s some conflicting information about his birthplace — most sources point to Auburn, Washington, while a few others list Los Angeles, California. Given that child actors in that era often relocated to LA for work, it’s possible both have some truth to them: born in Auburn, raised (at least partially) in the LA area for acting opportunities.
Not much is publicly known about his family or upbringing outside of acting. What we do know is that he got into the business young. By the time he was seven or eight years old, he’d already started booking roles on television — an impressive feat for any kid, especially in the competitive landscape of late-’80s Hollywood.
Child Acting Career
Television Roles (Late 1980s–Early 1990s)
Dakota’s career kicked off with small TV appearances. He landed a role as Boy Tommy Giordano on MacGyver, appearing in episodes between 1989 and 1991. He also played Clavo on 21 Jump Street, the undercover cop drama that helped launch Johnny Depp’s career.
On the voice acting side, he contributed to the animated series Captain N: The Game Master, where he voiced several characters including Max, Baby Brown Bear, Aaron, and Freddy. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it showed range for a kid actor — switching between live-action drama and cartoon voice work.
Georgie Denbrough in It (1990)
The role that cemented Tony Dakota’s place in pop culture history came in 1990 when he was cast as Georgie Denbrough in the ABC television adaptation of Stephen King’s It. The mini-series, which starred Tim Curry as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, opened with Georgie’s ill-fated encounter with the sewer-dwelling monster.
That opening scene — little Georgie reaching into the storm drain for his paper boat — became one of the most talked-about moments in ’90s horror television. Dakota was only about nine years old during filming, but he sold the fear and innocence of the character convincingly. For an entire generation of viewers, his face became synonymous with the terror of Pennywise.
Film Work
Outside of television, Dakota appeared in the 1989 comedy-mystery film Who’s Harry Crumb? starring John Candy. He also took a role in the 1993 short film The Lotus Eaters, playing a character named Geoffrey. After that, the roles dried up — or he chose to walk away. Either way, by the mid-1990s, Tony Dakota had essentially disappeared from the acting world.
Where Is Tony Dakota Now?
After leaving acting in the early-to-mid ’90s, Dakota kept an extremely low profile for about 25 years. There were no tabloid stories, no social media presence, and very little public information about what he did after Hollywood.
That changed in 2018 when he appeared in the documentary Pennywise: The Story of It, which explored the making of the 1990 mini-series and its lasting cultural impact. Dakota’s participation gave fans a rare glimpse of the former child star as an adult and showed that he still had a connection to the project that defined his childhood career.
Then in 2019, Dakota surprised everyone by reprising his role as Georgie Denbrough in a fan-made short film simply titled Georgie. The project, directed by John Campopiano and produced by Ryan Grulich, was crowdfunded through Indiegogo. It served as an unofficial sequel exploring what might’ve happened to Georgie beyond his fate in King’s story. It was Dakota’s first acting role in roughly 25 years.
Beyond these two projects, Dakota has reportedly been involved in some behind-the-scenes work, including co-producing a documentary project based in Boston. But details remain scarce. He’s one of those former child actors who genuinely stepped out of the spotlight and stayed out — which, honestly, isn’t the worst outcome for someone who grew up in front of cameras.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tony Dakota’s real name?
His birth name is Anthony Charlie DePiano. “Tony Dakota” is a stage name he used throughout his acting career.
How old is Tony Dakota?
Tony Dakota was born on August 2, 1981, making him 44 years old as of 2025.
What is Tony Dakota best known for?
He’s best known for playing Georgie Denbrough in the 1990 TV mini-series adaptation of Stephen King’s It, opposite Tim Curry as Pennywise.
Did Tony Dakota quit acting?
Yes, he stepped away from acting in the early-to-mid 1990s. He briefly returned in 2018 for a documentary appearance and in 2019 for a fan-made short film reprising his Georgie role.
Where is Tony Dakota from?
Most sources list his birthplace as Auburn, Washington, though some cite Los Angeles. It’s likely he was born in Washington and moved to the LA area for his acting career.
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