Gary Cooper was born May 7th, 1901 in Helena, MT. His birth name was Frank James Cooper. He was educated in England for several years, returning to the states shortly before the advent of WWI. After graduating, he journeyed to California with hopes of becoming a Political Cartoonist but life often changes intentions, and it would be so for young Frank Cooper. He began riding horses as an extra in silent films, and the stunt riding turned into bit parts. The bit parts, as we know, produced a major Hollywood star. Cooper's good looks and talent made him the perfect leading man, and a heartthrob to women, the world over.
While researching Cooper for this article I found several sites, one of which had a marvelous collection of photos. I suppose it is due to having watched more of his later films that I didn't realize how extremely attractive the young Mr. Cooper had been.
In 1933 Cooper married New York socialite Veronica (Rocky) Balfe, with whom he would have a daughter, Maria born in 1938. During the filming of Fountain Head, he and Patricia Neal began an affair that didn't last, as they say in Hollywood, "Forever after". Reading this tidbit of gossip, reminded me how often I have wondered at the ease in which a character actor might slip in and out of reality? We are quick to praise their abilities, and just as quick to condem their actions. But how can we watch them portray another man's life--with excellence--and not realize that they may be becoming that person. The reality is that Cooper was a great actor. How he made us believe in his roles is not for us to judge.
His list of films is quite impressive:
The list is incomplete but it gives an idea of the many film types that Gary Cooper made. He died May 13th, 1961 in Los Angeles, CA.
His list of leading ladies is also impressive:
The Pride of the Yankess (RKO 1942) was a favorite of my Cooper movie watching days. I cried as he portrayed Lou Gehrig, a man dying from the afflictions of ALS. The disease would come to be known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
In the Fountain Head (Warner Bros. 1949)with Patricia Neal, Gary Cooper portrayed an architect. His soulful demeanor and correctness in the role made the film an undeniable favorite.
Many more movies and actresses could be added to the lists but the time and space available for such an effort would be tremendous. Due to his popularity and the wonder of the Internet, there are several sites where more information pertaining to Gary Cooper may be found.
Gary Cooper:An American Hero was written by Jeffery Meyers. There is a review of the novel on the Salon site. I found a rather odd quote, which follows--
Unfortunately, the man we meet in Meyers' book doesn't seem to have lived out the truth behind these images all that deeply. SALON | June 3, 1998
