If you grew up in the mid-2010s, you definitely remember the Harper quadruplets. Among the chaos of the "get-along" sweater and the constant bickering, Dicky Harper—the cool, laid-back one with the hair—was easily a fan favorite. But then, right in the middle of season four, he just... vanished.
No big farewell. No emotional goodbye episode. Just a vague mention of him being an "exchange student in Australia" and the show carried on as a trio until it was eventually canceled.
So, where is Dicky from Nicky Ricky Dicky and Dawn now? Honestly, the transition from Nickelodeon kid star to serious actor is a path littered with "what-ifs," but Mace Coronel (the guy behind Dicky) didn't just disappear into the abyss of former child stars. He’s actually busy carving out a career that looks nothing like his Nick days.
The Drama That Ended Dicky's Run
Let's get the messy stuff out of the way first. Fans were blindsided when Mace left Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn in 2017. It wasn't a planned exit. Usually, when a lead leaves a show this big, it’s a contract dispute or a huge scandal. In this case, it was a "mutual agreement," but that's often Hollywood-speak for "we can't work together anymore."
Rumors of tension on set had been bubbling for years. People talked about personality conflicts between the young cast members, and while they all seem to have moved on, it’s telling that most of them don’t really follow each other on social media today. Mace was ready to go. He even posted on Instagram at the time, basically saying he was excited to get back to "serious and more diverse projects." He was 13. That's a bold move for a 13-year-old.
Life After Nickelodeon: The Indie Pivot
Mace didn't jump straight into another sitcom. Instead, he went underground for a bit. He started focusing on things that didn't involve a laugh track.
He’s a big fan of independent film. He’s actually said in interviews that his true love is indie cinema—stuff that’s "experimental" and "raw." It’s a far cry from the bright, saturated colors of the Harper household. Between 2019 and 2021, he popped up in projects like Zoe Valentine and Wireless, but he was also busy behind the camera.
In 2022, he released a short film called GIBSON on his YouTube channel. He wrote it, directed it, and filmed it when he was only 16. It’s a weird, vibey look at life in Las Vegas. If you watch it, you’ll see immediately that he’s not trying to be a "Nickelodeon kid" anymore. He’s trying to be an artist.
Where He Is in 2026: The "Kelso" Era
If you’ve been on Netflix lately, you probably recognized him. In a full-circle moment of TV history, Mace Coronel was cast as Jay Kelso in That '90s Show.
He’s playing the son of Michael Kelso and Jackie Burkhart (Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis). It’s a massive role. He’s got the same "pretty boy but a bit dim" energy that Ashton Kutcher brought to the original series, but with a more modern, slightly more grounded twist. As of 2026, he’s become the breakout star of that revival.
It’s interesting because Jay Kelso is basically the "Dicky Harper" of the 90s—the smooth talker, the one who cares about his look—but with better writing and a lot more room to actually act.
Fast Facts About Mace Coronel Now:
- Age: He’s 21 now (born March 10, 2004).
- Dual Citizenship: He actually has a Dutch passport and is fluent in Dutch. He’s shared videos of himself speaking the language, which usually shocks fans who only know him from Nick.
- Social Media: He’s got millions of followers, but he’s pretty low-key. He doesn't post "influencer" content; it’s mostly film photography and updates on his projects.
- The Look: The long hair is usually still there, but he’s definitely grown into his features. He looks like a 70s rock star most of the time.
Why He Left the "Child Star" Label Behind
The biggest takeaway from seeing Dicky from Nicky Ricky Dicky and Dawn now is how much he seems to dislike the "celebrity" part of the job. In a few interviews, he’s mentioned that he prefers "hands-on work" over red carpets. He’s been involved with the Thirst Project and seems more interested in things like jazz piano and skateboarding than being a tabloid fixture.
It’s a rare thing. Most kids who get that famous that young spend the rest of their lives trying to stay in the spotlight. Mace seems like he’d be perfectly happy filming an obscure movie in the desert and never being recognized again.
What’s Next for Mace?
With the success of That '90s Show, his career is on a serious upward trajectory. However, don't expect him to stay in the sitcom world forever. He’s been very vocal about wanting to work with directors like Daniel Scheinert (one half of the duo that did Everything Everywhere All At Once).
He’s also heavily into music. Whether that means he’ll drop an album or just keep playing guitar in his room remains to be seen, but he's clearly more than just a face on a poster.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the transition: If you want to see his growth, watch GIBSON on YouTube then jump into That '90s Show. The contrast is wild.
- Follow the photography: His Instagram (@macecoronel) is a great place to see the "real" him—less Hollywood, more artsy film photography.
- Keep an eye on indie credits: He's likely to show up in a Sundance-style film soon; that's where his heart is.
Mace Coronel managed to survive the "Nickelodeon curse" by simply refusing to play the game. He left a hit show because he was unhappy, took his time to find his voice, and came back on his own terms. Dicky Harper might have been the "cool" quad, but Mace Coronel is actually living that reality.