If you spent any part of the mid-2010s parked in front of Nickelodeon, you know the hair. You know the "cool guy" vibe. You definitely know the easygoing, slightly-too-relaxed attitude of the Harper quadruplet who was always more focused on his style than his homework. But the question of who plays Dicky Harper usually leads people down a rabbit hole they didn't expect.
His name is Mace Coronel.
Honestly, if you haven't kept up with him since Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn wrapped in 2018, you’re in for a massive shock. The kid who played the charming, goofy Dicky isn't that kid anymore. He's transformed into a serious indie-leaning actor, a photographer, and a musician who seems more comfortable in a vintage film shop than a bright-orange Nick studio.
The Face Behind the Quadruplet
Mace Coronel was born on March 10, 2004. By the time he landed the role of Dicky Harper, he was already a bit of a veteran in the industry for a ten-year-old. He didn't just stumble into the audition; he had been working since he was seven.
📖 Related: Hannah Jiles From Love Is Blind Season 7: What Most People Get Wrong
He actually started out wanting to do stand-up comedy. Imagine a seven-year-old trying to get onto stages in New York. Obviously, that's a tough sell for clubs, so he pivoted to acting. Before he was ever a Harper, he was R.J. Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful. It’s a weird mental image, right? A future Nickelodeon star cutting his teeth on a legendary soap opera.
When Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn premiered in 2014, Mace’s character, Dicky, quickly became the fan favorite for anyone who liked the "too cool for school" archetype. He was the one with the long hair and the shrug-it-off personality.
Why He Left the Show Early
One of the biggest mysteries for casual viewers is why Mace Coronel suddenly vanished from the show. If you go back and watch the final season, Dicky just... stops appearing.
It wasn't some huge, dramatic scandal. Basically, Mace and Nickelodeon reached a mutual agreement to part ways. He wanted to pursue more "serious" or diverse roles, and the schedule of a multi-cam sitcom is notoriously grueling. He left about five episodes before the series officially ended.
At the time, fans were confused. The quads were suddenly down to three. But for Mace, it was a necessary pivot. He has since spoken about wanting to distance himself from that "child star" image and find his own voice as an artist.
The Massive Career Pivot: From Nick to Netflix
If you’re wondering where you’ve seen him lately, the answer is probably Netflix.
👉 See also: Who is John Frost on Chicago Med? The Truth About Darren Barnet's New Role
Mace Coronel landed the role of Jay Kelso in That '90s Show.
Yes, that Kelso.
He plays the son of Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) and Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis). It’s perfect casting when you think about it. He has that same "pretty boy" charm his "father" had in the original series, but with a more modern, slightly edgy twist.
Other Key Roles You Might Have Missed:
- Wireless (2020): A survival thriller where he played Lionel Kohls.
- Colin in Black & White (2021): The Ava DuVernay-directed limited series about Colin Kaepernick.
- Pocket (2019): A gritty, experimental short film that really showed off his shift toward indie cinema.
The Artist Nobody Talks About
Beyond the screen, Mace is kind of an old soul. He doesn't post on social media like a typical Gen Z influencer. He's into 35mm film photography and jazz piano. He’s even mentioned in interviews that he loves the work of the Safdie Brothers and David Lynch.
That is a long way from the "get-stuck-in-a-vat-of-slime" humor of 2014.
He also trains in MMA. His brother is a professional fighter, so Mace spends a lot of his downtime grappling and staying active. It’s this weird mix of "introspective artist" and "athlete" that makes him one of the more interesting actors of his generation.
Common Misconceptions About Mace Coronel
People often assume he's exactly like the characters he plays. They think he's the "cool kid" or the "jock."
In reality, he’s pretty private. He’s been quoted saying that people only see what he chooses to share, which isn't much. He doesn't seem interested in the "fame" aspect of being a celebrity. He’s more interested in the being part of acting—the psychology of the character.
📖 Related: Why the Regis and Kelly Show Still Defines Daytime TV Decades Later
He's also taller than you might remember. He’s grown into a 5'9" (roughly 1.75m) adult who looks significantly different from the kid with the side-swept bangs.
What’s Next for the Actor Formerly Known as Dicky?
As of 2026, Mace is leaning harder into his own creative projects. He’s been working on his own music and continues to explore the world of independent film. While That '90s Show brought him back into the mainstream spotlight, he seems most at home when he's doing something a little "bizarre" or experimental.
If you’re looking to follow his career, don’t just look for him on sitcoms. Keep an eye out for film festival credits and indie drama casting calls. He's clearly playing the long game.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch That '90s Show on Netflix: If you want to see how he’s evolved from the Dicky Harper days, this is the best place to start. His chemistry with the new cast is the highlight of the series.
- Check out his photography: While he isn't super active on every platform, searching for his film photography work gives you a much better sense of who he is as a person.
- Revisit the early seasons of NRDD: If you’re feeling nostalgic, watch the first two seasons of Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn to see the comedic timing that actually made him a star in the first place.
Mace Coronel is one of the few child actors who managed to leave a hit show, disappear for a bit, and come back as someone completely refreshed and respected. Whether he's Dicky Harper or Jay Kelso, he’s definitely more than just a face on a poster.