Known for Acting
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).
Born
September 15, 1922
Died
May 3, 2011 (age 88)
Birthplace
Los Angeles, California, USA
Filmography
128 films, 81 shows


The Ladies
1987 · 1h 40m
country: United States
Sentimental drama in which, following her divorce, a middle-aged woman (Patricia Elliott) moves in with her daughter (Talia Balsam). But things do not run smoothly...


The Deacon Street Deer
1986 · 47m
country: United States
Neighborhood children protect a deer that has escaped from cruel carnival owners.


Izzy & Moe
1985 · 1h 32m
country: United States
The adventures of two retired vaudeville performers who become two of the best prohibition agents in the 1920's.


The Night They Saved Christmas
1984 · 1h 32m
country: United States
An oil company is exploring two Arctic sites for oil. The needed blasting at the first site rocks Santa Claus' North Pole village. He realizes that any blasting at the second site will destroy his home. He enlists the aid of a woman and her children to convince her husband (who works for the company) that the first site is where the oil they want is. Along the way, Santa explains all his secrets in delivering presents all around the world.


Rosie: The Rosemary Clooney Story
1982 · 1h 40m
country: United States
The story of singer Rosemary Clooney's rise to fame, her marriage to Jose Ferrer, and her nervous breakdown.


Moonlight
1982 · 1h 36m
country: United States
A fast-food delivery man for a New York Chinese restaurant gets involved with international terrorists and is recruited by undercover agents to help track down the leader in this prospective pilot.


Leave 'Em Laughing
1981 · 1h 38m
country: United States
Real-life clown Jack Thum, along with his devoted wife, Shirlee, cared for dozens of homeless children — 37 of them over the years — in the Chicago area, all of whom come back to visit when they discover he's terminally ill.


Rodeo Girl
1980 · 1h 36m
country: United States
Sammy Garrett, the wife of a champion rodeo performer, is tired of her subsidiary role at home as a housewife. So she becomes an aspiring rodeo rider herself, encouraged by her one-time performer mother, and eventually confronts her new lifestyle, despite her husband's disapproval. Based on the true story of rodeo champion Sue Pirtle.


White Mama
1980 · 1h 45m
country: United States
A poor, elderly white woman living in a tenement in a black ghetto is befriended by a neighborhood boy, and the two of them form a mutually beneficial relationship: he provides her companionship and protection, and she becomes the mother he never had.


Marathon
1980 · 1h 40m
country: United States
A bemused, mild-mannered accountant takes up jogging and a lithesome, young woman sprints into his life, inspiring him to enter a marathon, to the annoyance of his non-running wife.


Sex and the Single Parent
1979 · 1h 36m
country: United States
Two attractive divorcees find that their newly realized independence continues to be guided by their respective parental obligations.


Rainbow
1978 · 1h 37m
country: United States
The early life and struggles of Judy Garland (portrayed by Andrea McArdle), and of the film star's trials as a youngster in dealing with the movie studio system that held her back while her mother was forever pushing her to excel.


Perfect Gentlemen
1978 · 1h 40m
country: United States
Women whose husbands are incarcerated decide to band together to rob a hotel safe.


Having Babies III
1978 · 1h 40m
country: United States
Dr. Julie Farr presides over three impending births and cannot help but get involved in the lives of her troubled patients.


Stand Up and Be Counted
1972 · 1h 39m
country: United States
Sheila is a newspaper reporter who returns to her home town in order to write an article about the progress of the liberation of the women. Arriving at the town she is very surprised to see that her sister and also her mother agree very much with the feministic arguments.