Actor-Director Jackie Cooper Dies at 88

By Tracey Harrington McCoy Posted May 4th 2011 10:00PM

Jackie Cooper, most known for his role as The Daily Planet editor in the Christopher Reeves' 'Superman' movies, died Tuesday at a nursing facility in Santa Monica, the Associated Press reports. The cause of death was old age. He was 88.

Cooper made history in 1931 when was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film 'Skippy' at age 9. He still is the youngest person to be nominated for Best Actor.

"He was a fascinating guy who really did everything, from all different aspects of the business," his other son, Russell Cooper, said. "You can't really say that about many people."

"He was a lovely man and I will miss him," his agent Ronnie Lief told PEOPLE.

Cooper also found success in Hollywood as an adult--starring in several films and making guest appearances on many TV series including 'Murder, She Wrote' and 'St. Elsewhere.' But he really found was happiest as a director. Over the course of his career, Cooper directed more than 250 half-hour and hour-long series episodes, 16 two-hour movies and several pilots and commercials.

"I think it's tough to direct and star in a feature," Cooper commented in a 1971 interview. "Either the direction or the performance will suffer. But an actor can direct himself in television. I found it essential to relieve the crushing boredom of starring in a series."

Cooper is survived by his two sons.

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Comments

(31)

Wednesday 04 May

By jag803

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R.I.P. Jackie. Watched you since I was a kid on the Little Rascals/Our Gang Shorts. Thanks for the Entertainment!

By june

The man worked for 80 years! That is saying something.

By TurnOffTheBoobTube

RIP Jackie. Another ageless Hollywood great has left the building.

By Lissy

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R.I.P. Jackie.

By L. Wade

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R.I.P. Jackie. I remember him in the "Wizard of Oz", as one of the Munchkins. I'm surprised that wasn't mentioned. Another great taken away. Be with God.

Thursday 05 May

By joan

Sorry buy Jackie Cooper was not a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz. He was 17 when it was made and he was already too tall by then.
Anyway Rest In Peace Jackie, you will be missed.

By KellyB

What a great, hardworking actor from his early starring movie roles in The Champ and Treasure Island to his countless appearances on top TV shows of the 70s and 80s. And then of course, there is Perry White. I have enjoyed his work for years. Rest in peace and condolences to the Cooper family.

By doneldathomas

DITTO!!!

By Susan

The dumb person who did the article didn't even mention he was in the Little Rascals!

Friday 06 May

By Paul

It was only called "The Little Rascals" after it hit TV. It was originally called "Our Gang".

I have a DVD that came as an extra with Alistair Sim's "Christmas Carol" where Jackie wants to have a Christmas party for his friends at his home, but his mother tells him no. So he has it at the studio instead and the great movie stars, Clark Gable, et al., of the day serve the children their holiday dinner. Quite a time capsule!

Whomever did this article, I see, didn't add a lot of the things he did. I forgot about the things you mentioned. Good for you to remember that!

By Lisa

He played the son in the original "The Champ" and he was "Peck's Bad boy". RIP Mr. Cooper

By Kathy

One of the more important things left out by the author of this article is how hard he worked for child actor's rights. Jackie Cooper was very vocal about the long hours and physical and emotional stresses of working in the Little Rascal films. Because of his efforts, and others, today's child actors have many more rights and their well being is taken more seriously.

He entertained us for many decades and he will be missed.

By alistair11

R.I.P. Mr. Cooper. Very sad to lose someone who was from an era when movies were actually good.

By rascalfan60

He was much better known as a child actor than as Perry White in Superman movies. A very talented child actor. RIP Jackie Cooper. One more time the lack of knowledge or research that goes into a story here.

By RICARDO

Wow lost in the shuffle of the Bin laden story , Jackie was one those actors that I grew up with and one great actor he was . Those old films one with Wallace Barry that were just great movies . And of course the first Little Rascals , Man what great movies ! He will be missed for sure .

By Chab

So long, little tough guy!

By jckfmsincty

I think he often directed some of the "MASH' tv shows during the 70's, and I remember that he won several Emmy awards for these efforts. His performance in "The Champ" might be the best movie, kid performance ever.

By Elliott J.Schertzer

tv shows The People's Choice and Hennessey to Perry White and the little boy that had a crush on Miss Crabtree wonderful career and a guy that was well adjusted. I will miss you Jackie

Another of my generation has gone.....RIP Jackie Cooper, you were a great star in movies and tv.

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