Jackie Cooper
Acting
Born 1922-09-15
Died 2011-05-03
Los Angeles, California, USA
203 credits
Read biography
Jackie Cooper (September 15, 1922 –May 3, 2011) was an American actor. He is best known for his role of Perry White in the Christopher Reeves Superman films (1978–1987).
He with the Navy in the South Pacific toward the end of World War II and then, quietly and without publicity or fanfare, compiled one of the most distinguished peacetime military careers of anyone in his profession. In 1961, as his weekly TV series Hennesey (1959) was enhancing naval recruiting efforts, accepted a commission as a line officer in the Naval Reserve with duties in recruitment, training films, and public relations. Holder of a multi-engine pilot license, he later co-piloted jet planes for the Navy, which made him an Honorary Aviator authorized to wear wings of gold-at the time only the third so honored in naval aviation history. By 1976 he had attained the rank of captain, and was in uniform aboard the carrier USS Constellation for the Bicentennial celebration on July 4. In 1980, the Navy proposed a period of active duty at the Pentagon that would have resulted in a promotion to rear admiral, bringing him even with Air Force Reserve Brigadier General James Stewart. Fresh on the heels of a second directing Emmy, he felt his absence would impact achieving a long-held goal of directing motion pictures, and reluctantly declined. (The opportunity in films never materialized.) Holds Letters of Commendation from six secretaries of the Navy. Was honorary chairman of the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation and a charter member of VIVA, the effort to return POW-MIAs from Vietnam. Upon retirement in 1982, he was decorated with the Legion of Merit by Navy Secretary John F. Lehman Jr.. Other than Stewart, no performer in his industry has achieved a higher uniformed rank in the U.S. military. (Glenn Ford was also a Naval Reserve captain, and director and Captain John Ford was awarded honorary flag rank upon his 1951 retirement from the Naval Reserve).
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Filmography
— top 60 of 203
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Mike Douglas Show
Columbo
Murder, She Wrote
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Ironside
Hawaii Five-O
M*A*S*H
Magnum, P.I.
The Twilight Zone
The Rockford Files
St. Elsewhere
What's My Line?
Robert Montgomery Presents
Quincy, M.E.
The Merv Griffin Show
Cagney & Lacey
Jake and the Fatman
The F.B.I.
Studio One
The Philco Television Playhouse
The Steve Allen Show
The Colgate Comedy Hour
Superman
Trapper John, M.D.
Telephone Time
Kojak
Suspense
Superman II
Police Story
McCloud
McMillan & Wife
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
Sledge Hammer!
The Danny Kaye Show
The United States Steel Hour
Tales of Tomorrow
MGM Parade
Ghost Story
Danger
The White Shadow
The Great Adventure
Superman III
The Dick Powell Show
Lux Video Theatre
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Your Show of Shows
Superboy
Ensign O'Toole
Hennesey
Paris
Justice
Ohara
The George Gobel Show
Producers' Showcase
The People's Choice
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
Capital News
Glitter
The Motorola Television Hour
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