Born: September 15, 1922 – Died: May 3, 2011
Jackie Cooper graced the silver screen with his talents, making a remarkable journey from child star to a respected figure in Hollywood. Born in the bustling city of Los Angeles, California, to Mabel Leonard, a gifted Italian-American stage pianist, and John Cooper, his early life was steeped in the arts. His mother’s lineage introduced him to the limelight, counting actress Julie Leonard and director Norman Taurog among his relatives. Cooper's entry into the acting world left an indelible mark, his achievements weaving through the fabric of entertainment history.
Early Life and Career
Raised in the glow of Los Angeles, Jackie was enveloped in performance culture from a young age. Education details may be sparse, but his career speaks volumes of his learning curve in the film industry. Cooper’s acting roots took hold in 1929, debuting in the film realm as a child actor. He quickly found his footing, and by the 1931 hit "Skippy," he not only starred in a major successful role but also earned an Academy Award nomination, a rarity for such a young talent. This role catapulted him into the spotlight.
Jackie's career was decorated with accolades. Notable among these was his direction on television, which won him Emmy Awards, cementing his versatility beyond acting. His personal life was as full-fledged as his career, serving in the Navy during World War II and maintaining a steady presence in the military reserves thereafter. Jackie balanced his life on the screen with his service off-screen and personal endeavors, including his family life.
The arc of Jackie Cooper's career is a testament to his enduring influence in Hollywood. From the bright-eyed child actor of the 1930s to the seasoned director and Navy officer, his life was a tapestry of public service and entertainment milestones. His role as Perry White in the "Superman" film series stands out as a recognizable character to multiple generations. Cooper’s legacy in the entertainment industry is multi-faceted, marked by a transition from child star to a respected industry professional. His life was one of performance, service, and dedication, making him a true Hollywood icon.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Capital News (TV Series) | John C. Dodd |
| 1989 | For Jenny with Love (TV Series) | J. Nash Hawkins |
| 1987 | Surrender | Ace Morgan |
| 1987 | Superman IV: The Quest for Peace | Perry White |
| 1986 | Sledge Hammer! (TV Series) | Audience Member (uncredited) |
| 1986 | Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) | Carl Schulman | Neil Fletcher |
| 1986 | St. Elsewhere (TV Series) | Dr. David Domedion |
| 1984 | No Earthly Reason (TV Movie) | J. Nash Hawkins |
| 1983 | Superman III | Perry White |
| 1980 | Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut | Perry White |
| 1980 | Superman II | Perry White |
| 1978 | *Superman* | Perry White |
| 1975–1978 | The Rockford Files (TV Series) | Garth McGregor | Capt. Highland |
| 1977 | Operation Petticoat (TV Series) | Admiral (uncredited) |
| 1974–1977 | Police Story (TV Series) | Jack McGraw | Eamon Kinsella Royce | Lt. Bruckner ... |
| 1975–1976 | Mobile One (TV Series) | Peter Campbell |
| 1975 | Mobile Two (TV Movie) | Peter Campbell |
| 1975 | Journey Into Fear | Eric Hurst |
| 1975 | The Invisible Man (TV Series) | Walter Carlson |
| 1974 | The Day the Earth Moved (TV Movie) | Steve Barker |
| 1974 | Chosen Survivors | Raymond Couzins |
| 1974 | Doctor Dan (TV Movie) | Dr. Dan Morgan |
| 1974 | Hec Ramsey (TV Series) | Barney Tolliver |
| 1974 | Kojak (TV Series) | Frank Mulvaney |
| 1973 | Columbo (TV Series) | Nelson Hayward |
| 1973 | The F.B.I. (TV Series) | Harlan Slade |
| 1973 | Keep an Eye on Denise (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1973 | Of Men and Women (TV Movie) | Ted (segment "Hot Machine, Cold Machine") |
| 1972 | Circle of Fear (TV Series) | Dumpy Doyle |
| 1972 | Ironside (TV Series) | Dr. Norman |
| 1972 | McCloud (TV Series) | Winn Hollis |
| 1972 | Stand Up and Be Counted | Doctor (uncredited) |
| 1972 | The Astronaut (TV Movie) | Kurt Anderson |
| 1971 | Hawaii Five-O (TV Series) | Dr. Alexander Southmore |
| 1971 | The Love Machine | Danton Miller |
| 1971 | Maybe I'll Come Home in the Spring (TV Movie) | Ed Miller |
| 1968 | Shadow on the Land (TV Movie) | Lt. Col. Andy Davis |
| 1964 | Calhoun: County Agent (TV Movie) | Everett Calhoun |
| 1964 | The Twilight Zone (TV Series) | Jonathan West | Caesar (voice) |
| 1963 | The Great Adventure (TV Series) | Lt. Dickson |
| 1956–1963 | The United States Steel Hour (TV Series) | Val Barton |
| 1962–1963 | The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series) | John Reardon | Judd Rogers |
| 1959–1962 | Hennesey (TV Series) | Lt. Charles 'Chick' Hennesey, MD |
| 1961 | Everything's Ducky | Lt. J.S. Parmell - Psychiatrist |
| 1961 | The Gertrude Berg Show (TV Series) | Lt. Charles 'Chick' Hennesey, USN |
| 1958 | Goodyear Theatre (TV Series) | Chris Shade |
| 1958 | The DuPont Show of the Month (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1958 | Pursuit (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1955–1958 | The People's Choice (TV Series) | Socrates 'Sock' Miller | Socretes 'Sock' Miller | The King ... |
| 1953–1958 | Studio One (TV Series) | Dave Tuttle | Blackie Scantling |
| 1952–1956 | Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series) | Willy Benton | Maurice Gaines | Milton 'Mezz' Mezzrow ... |
| 1955 | The Philco Television Playhouse (TV Series) | Bubbo |
| 1953–1955 | Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) | Bill Harlow | Joe Toyah | Bob Heywood |
| 1953–1955 | Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV Series) | Charles Steen | Larry |
| 1955 | Justice (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1955 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | Jeremy Bates |
| 1955 | Producers' Showcase (TV Series) | O'Hara |
| 1954 | The Elgin Hour (TV Series) | Joe Morton |
| 1953 | Medallion Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953 | Danger (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953 | The Motorola Television Hour (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953 | The Revlon Mirror Theater (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1948–1953 | Kraft Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951–1952 | Suspense (TV Series) | Dan Crowley | Murderer | Williams |
| 1952 | The Ford Television Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | Dave Carter | Orrin Dudley |
| 1952 | Tales of Tomorrow (TV Series) | Tom |
| 1951 | The Clock (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | Starlight Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1949 | The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1948 | French Leave | Skitch Kilroy |
| 1947 | Kilroy Was Here | John J. Kilroy |
| 1947 | Stork Bites Man | Ernest (Ernie) C. Brown |
| 1943 | Where Are Your Children? | Danny Cheston |
| 1942 | The Navy Comes Through | Joe 'Babe' Duttson |
| 1942 | Men of Texas | Robert Houston Scott |
| 1942 | Syncopation | Johnny |
| 1941 | Glamour Boy | Tiny Barlow |
| 1941 | Her First Beau | Chuck Harris |
| 1941 | Ziegfeld Girl | Jerry Regan |
| 1940 | Gallant Sons | Byron 'By' Newbold |
| 1940 | Rodeo Dough (Short) | Jackie Cooper |
| 1940 | Life with Henry | Henry Aldrich |
| 1940 | The Return of Frank James | Clem |
| 1940 | Seventeen | William Sylvanus Baxter |
| 1939 | The Big Guy | Jimmy Hutchins |
| 1939 | What a Life | Henry Aldrich |
| 1939 | Two Bright Boys | Rory O'Donnell |
| 1939 | Streets of New York | James Michael 'Jimmy' Keenan |
| 1939 | The Spirit of Culver | Tom Allen |
| 1939 | Scouts to the Rescue | Bruce Scott |
| 1938 | Newsboys' Home | Rifle Edwards |
| 1938 | Gangster's Boy | Larry Kelly |
| 1938 | That Certain Age | Kenneth 'Ken' Warren |
| 1938 | White Banners | Peter Trimble |
| 1937 | Boy of the Streets | Chuck Brennan |
| 1936 | The Devil Is a Sissy | 'Buck' Murphy |
| 1936 | Tough Guy | Freddie |
| 1935 | O'Shaughnessy's Boy | 'Stubby' |
| 1935 | Dinky | Dinky Daniels |
| 1934 | Hollywood on Parade (Short) | Unknown |
| 1934 | Peck's Bad Boy | Bill Peck |
| 1934 | Treasure Island | Jim Hawkins |
| 1933 | Lone Cowboy | Scooter O'Neal |
| 1933 | The Bowery | Swipes McGurk |
| 1933 | Broadway to Hollywood | Ted Hackett Jr. as a Child |
| 1933 | Hollywood on Parade No. A-6 (Short) | Unknown |
| 1932 | Divorce in the Family | Terry Parker |
| 1932 | When a Feller Needs a Friend | Eddie Randall |
| 1931 | Sooky | Skippy Skinner |
| 1931 | The Christmas Party (Short) | Jackie (uncredited) |
| 1931 | The Champ | Dink |
| 1931 | Young Donovan's Kid | Midge Murray |
| 1931 | Bargain Day (Short) | Jackie (as Hal Roach's Rascals) |
| 1931 | Skippy | Skippy |
| 1931 | Little Daddy (Short) | Jackie (as Hal Roach's Rascals) |
| 1931 | Love Business (Short) | Jackie Cooper (as Hal Roach's Rascals) |
| 1931 | Helping Grandma (Short) | Jackie (as Hal Roach's Rascals) |
| 1930 | School's Out (Short) | Jackie Cooper (as Hal Roach's Rascals) |
| 1930 | Teacher's Pet (Short) | Jackie (as Hal Roach's Rascals) |
| 1930 | Pups Is Pups (Short) | Jackie (as Hal Roach's Rascals) |
| 1930 | A Tough Winter (Short) | Jackie |
| 1930 | Los cazadores de osos (Short) | Juanito |
| 1930 | Bear Shooters (Short) | Jackie (as Hal Roach's Rascals) |
| 1930 | Las fantasmas (Short) | Juanito |
| 1930 | When the Wind Blows (Short) | Jackie (as Hal Roach's Rascals) |
| 1930 | Los pequeños papas (Short) | Juanito |
| 1930 | The First Seven Years (Short) | Jackie (as Hal Roach's Rascals) |
| 1930 | Shivering Shakespeare (Short) | Jackie (as Hal Roach's Rascals) |
| 1929 | Moan & Groan, Inc. (Short) | Jackie (as Hal Roach's Rascals) |
| 1929 | Bouncing Babies (Short) | Kid Listening to Farina (uncredited) |
| 1929 | Sunny Side Up | Jerry McGinnis (uncredited) |
| 1929 | Boxing Gloves (Short) | Jackie |
| 1929 | Fox Movietone Follies of 1929 | Little Boy in 'That's You, Baby' Number (uncredited) |
General:
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