Anissa Jones facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anissa Jones
Jones in 1970
Born	Mary Anissa Jones (1958-03-11)March 11, 1958 Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.
Died	August 28, 1976(1976-08-28) (aged 18) Oceanside, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, student
Years active	1966–1971

Mary Anissa Jones (born March 11, 1958 – died August 28, 1976) was an American child actress. She was best known for playing Buffy Davis on the CBS sitcom Family Affair. This popular TV show ran from 1966 to 1971. Anissa was only 18 years old when she passed away.

Early Life

Anissa Jones was born in West Lafayette, Indiana, in 1958. She lived in Charleston, West Virginia, until she was five years old. Her family had roots in Lebanon. Her middle name, Anissa, comes from a Persian name meaning "immaculate."

When Anissa was born, her father, John Paul Jones, was an engineering graduate. He also taught at Purdue University. Her mother, Mary Paula Jones, was studying zoology there. After Anissa's brother, John Paul Jones Jr. (called Paul), was born, the family moved. They went to Playa Del Rey, California. Her father worked in aerospace engineering. Anissa went to Paseo del Rey Elementary School and then Orville Wright Junior High School.

Acting Career

Anissa Jones started acting very young. In 1964, when she was six, she appeared in a TV commercial. Two years later, at age eight, she got a big role. She was cast as six-year-old Buffy Patterson-Davis in the CBS sitcom Family Affair.

In Family Affair, Buffy and her twin brother Jody (Johnny Whitaker) and older sister Cissy (Kathy Garver) go to live with their Uncle Bill (Brian Keith). Their butler, Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot), also lives with them. This happens after the children's parents die.

In 1969, Anissa was very famous. Family Affair was a top-rated show. She made her only movie appearance that year. She had a small part in The Trouble with Girls. This movie starred Elvis Presley. Anissa was 12 years old when Family Affair ended in 1971.

Family Life

Anissa's father, John Paul Jones, passed away on March 7, 1974. Her brother, Paul, passed away on March 15, 1984. Anissa's mother, Mary Paula Jones, passed away on January 14, 2012.

Filmography