Known For
Acting
Born
Sep 15, 1922
Died
May 03, 2011
Place of Birth
Los Angeles, California, USA
Credits
203 titles
Jackie Cooper
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).
Known For
Filmography
The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 1
You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman
Self
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
Perry White
Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman
Self
Judy Garland: By Myself
Self - Actor (voice)
Lana Turner... a Daughter's Memoir
Self
Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Power of Women in Hollywood
Self
Sports on the Silver Screen
Self (archive footage)
Inside the Dream Factory
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
Self
The Our Gang Story
Jackie (archive footage)
Capital News
John C. Dodd
When We Were Young: Growing Up on the Silver Screen
Self
Superboy
Director
Supercarrier
Director
Surrender
Ace Morgan
The Law & Harry McGraw
Director
Jake and the Fatman
Director
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Perry White
The Ladies
Producer
Spies
Director
Ohara
Director
Sledge Hammer!
Director
The Deacon Street Deer
Director
Classic Comedy Teams
Our Gang(archive footage)
Izzy & Moe
Director
The Making of 'Superman III'
Self
The Night They Saved Christmas
Director
Murder, She Wrote
Carl Schulman / Neil Fletcher
Glitter
Director
Ticket to Hollywood
Narrator
No Earthly Reason
J. Nash Hawkins
The Making of 'Superman II'
Self
Superman III
Perry White
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Rosie: The Rosemary Clooney Story
Director
St. Elsewhere
David Domedion
Moonlight
Director
Cagney & Lacey
Director
Hollywood’s Children
Self (archive footage)
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
Self
Leave 'Em Laughing
Director
Rascal Dazzle
Jackie (archive footage)
Magnum, P.I.
Director
Superman II
Perry White
Rodeo Girl
Director
White Mama
Director
Marathon
Director
Paris
Director
Trapper John, M.D.
Director