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).
Acted in 123
2020s
- 2021
The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 1
Movie
1990s
- 1995
Inside the Dream Factory
Movie
- 1994
The Our Gang Story
Jackie (archive footage)
- 1990
1980s
- 1987
- 1986
Classic Comedy Teams
Our Gang(archive footage)
- 1984
- 1983
- 1982
- 1981
Rascal Dazzle
Jackie (archive footage)
- 1980
1970s
- 1978
- 1975
Mobile One
Peter Campbell · 13 episodes
Mobile Two
Peter Campbell
Journey into Fear
Eric Hurst
The Invisible Man
Walter Carlson
- 1974
The Day the Earth Moved
Steve Barker
Chosen Survivors
Raymond Couzins
- 1973
Big John Morrison
John Morrison
- 1972
Of Men and Women
Movie
Hec Ramsey
TV
Stand Up and Be Counted
Doctor
The Astronaut
Kurt Anderson
- 1971
The Love Machine
Danton Miller
- 1970
1960s
- 1969
- 1968
Shadow on the Land
Lt. Col. Andy Davis
- 1967
- 1965
- 1964
Calhoun
Everett Calhoun
- 1963
- 1961
Everything's Ducky
Lt. J.S. Parmell - Psychiatrist
The Gertrude Berg Show
TV
1950s
- 1959
- 1956
To Tell the Truth
TV
- 1955
- 1953
Revlon Mirror Theatre
TV
General Electric Theater
Jeremy Bates · 1 episode
- 1952
Cowboy G-Men
TV
- 1951
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Bob Heywood, Bill Harlow / Joe Toyah · 1 episode
- 1950
1940s
- 1949
- 1948
French Leave
Skitch Kilroy
- 1947
Kilroy Was Here
John J. Kilroy
Stork Bites Man
Ernest (Ernie) C. Brown
- 1943
Where Are Your Children?
Danny Cheston
- 1942
The Navy Comes Through
Joe 'Babe' Duttson
Men of Texas
Robert Houston Scott
Syncopation
Johnny Schumacher
- 1941
Glamour Boy
Tiny Barlow
Her First Beau
Chuck Harris
Life with Henry
Henry Aldrich
- 1940
Gallant Sons
Byron Newbold
Rodeo Dough
Jackie Cooper
Seventeen
William Sylvanus Baxter
1930s
- 1939
The Big Guy
Jimmy Hutchins
Hollywood Cavalcade
Burglar
What a Life
Henry Aldrich
Two Bright Boys
Rory O'Donnell
Streets of New York
James Michael 'Jimmy' Keenan
The Spirit of Culver
Tom Allen
Scouts to the Rescue
Bruce Scott
- 1938
Newsboys' Home
Rifle Edwards
Gangster's Boy
Larry Kelly
That Certain Age
Kenneth Warren
White Banners
Peter Trimble
Bear Facts
Bear
Boy of the Streets
Chuck Brennan
- 1936
Tough Guy
Frederick Martindale Vincent III
- 1935
O'Shaughnessy's Boy
Joseph "Stubby" O'Shaughnessy
Dinky
Dinky Daniels
- 1934
Hollywood on Parade No. B-1
Movie
- 1933
Lone Cowboy
Scooter O'Neal
The Bowery
Swipes McGurk
Broadway to Hollywood
Ted Hackett Jr. as Child
- 1932
Divorce In The Family
Terry Parker
When a Feller Needs a Friend
Edward Haverford 'Eddie' Randall
- 1931
Sooky
Skippy
The Champ
Dink Purcell
Young Donovan's Kid
Midge Murray
Bargain Day
Jackie
Skippy
Skippy Skinner
Little Daddy
Jackie
Love Business
Jackie Cooper
Helping Grandma
Jackie
- 1930
School's Out
Jackie Cooper
Teacher's Pet
Jackie
Pups Is Pups
Jackie
A Tough Winter
Jackie
Bear Shooters
Jackie
When the Wind Blows
Jackie
The First Seven Years
Jackie
Shivering Shakespeare
Jackie
1920s
- 1929
Sunny Side Up
Jerry McGinnis (uncredited)
Moan & Groan, Inc.
Jackie
Bouncing Babies
Kid listening to Farina (uncredited)
Boxing Gloves
Jackie
Fox Movietone Follies of 1929
Little Boy in 'That's You, Baby' Number (uncredited)
Directed 36
1980s
- 1988
Supercarrier
Director
- 1987
The Law & Harry McGraw
Director
The Ladies
Director
Spies
Director
Ohara
Director
- 1986
The Deacon Street Deer
Director
- 1985
Izzy & Moe
Director
- 1984
Glitter
Director
- 1982
Rosie: The Rosemary Clooney Story
Director
Moonlight
Director
- 1981
Leave 'Em Laughing
Director
- 1980
Rodeo Girl
Director
White Mama
Director
Marathon
Director
1970s
- 1979
Paris
Director
Sex and the Single Parent
Director
- 1978
Rainbow
Director
Perfect Gentlemen
Director
Having Babies III
Director
- 1977
The Feather And Father Gang
Director
- 1976
- 1974
- 1972
Stand Up and Be Counted
Director
- 1971
- 1970
1960s
- 1962
Ensign O'Toole
Director
1950s
- 1959
Produced 1
1980s
- 1987
The Ladies
Producer
Created 1
1970s
- 1976
Holmes & Yo-Yo
Creator
Appearances28
2000s
- 2006
You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman
Self
Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman
Self
- 2004
Judy Garland: By Myself
Self - Actor (voice)
- 2001
Lana Turner... a Daughter's Memoir
Self
- 2000
Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Power of Women in Hollywood
Self
1990s
- 1997
Sports on the Silver Screen
Self (archive footage)
- 1995
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
Self
- 1993
1980s
- 1989
When We Were Young: Growing Up on the Silver Screen
Self
- 1985
The Making of 'Superman III'
Self
- 1983
The Making of 'Superman II'
Self
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1982
Hollywood’s Children
Self (archive footage)
1970s
- 1976
Hooray for Hollywood
Self (archive footage)
- 1975
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Self (archive footage)
1960s
- 1963
- 1962
The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers
Self
- 1961
1950s
- 1956
- 1950
1940s
- 1941
Screen Snapshots Series 21 No. 1
Self
1930s
- 1932
Hollywood on Parade No. A-3
Self
- 1931
The Christmas Party
Himself