Born: May 7, 1901 – Died: May 13, 1961
With a rugged charm and an everyman's grace, Gary Cooper became an emblem of American cinema. Born to Alice and Charles Cooper, his early years spanned from England to Montana. His father worked as a farmer and later, a lawyer, which provided a diverse backdrop for young Gary's upbringing. Without a silver spoon, he carved a path that would lead him to be a Hollywood legend.
Early Life and Career
Gary Cooper's early life was one of movement and change. He attended school in England and Montana before studying at Grinnell College in Iowa. His academic pursuits were broad, laying a foundation for his adaptable acting style. Cooper's first taste of performance came in school productions, setting the stage for his future.
His first foray into professional acting was modest, working as an extra. In the year 1925, his dedication paid off when he landed a role in a short film by Hans Tiesler. Eileen Sedgwick was his first co-star, marking the beginning of his journey in the film industry. It was his portrayal of Will Kane in the film High Noon (1952) that affirmed his stardom, etching his name in cinematic history.
Cooper's career was studded with accolades, including two Academy Awards. He was recognized for his roles in another classic, Sergeant York, which showcased his talent for bringing complex, gritty characters to life.
His personal life was as eventful as his screen presence. Cooper was married, had a family, and pursued various interests outside acting. While his career was not without its controversies, he also engaged in philanthropy.
Gary Cooper's enduring impact on Hollywood is undisputed. His ability to capture the American spirit made him not just a star, but a cultural icon. His work resonates, a testament to his unique blend of subtlety, strength, and sincerity that continues to influence actors and filmmakers alike.
Related
- Watch Gary Cooper - The Face Of A Hero Documentary
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | The Naked Edge | George Radcliffe |
| 1959 | The Wreck of the Mary Deare | Gideon Patch |
| 1959 | They Came to Cordura | Major Thomas Thorn |
| 1959 | Alias Jesse James | Cowboy (uncredited) |
| 1959 | The Hanging Tree | Dr. Joseph 'Doc' Frail |
| 1958 | Man of the West | Link Jones |
| 1958 | Ten North Frederick | Joseph B. 'Joe' Chapin |
| 1957 | Love in the Afternoon | Frank Flannagan |
| 1956 | Friendly Persuasion | Jess Birdwell |
| 1955 | The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell | Col. Billy Mitchell |
| 1954 | Vera Cruz | Benjamin Trane |
| 1954 | Garden of Evil | Hooker |
| 1953 | Blowing Wild | Jeff Dawson |
| 1953 | Return to Paradise | Mr. Morgan |
| 1952 | Springfield Rifle | Maj. Alex 'Lex' Kearney |
| 1952 | *High Noon* | Marshal Will Kane |
| 1951 | Distant Drums | Capt. Quincy Wyatt |
| 1951 | Starlift | Gary Cooper |
| 1951 | It's a Big Country: An American Anthology | Texas |
| 1951 | You're in the Navy Now | Lt. John W. Harkness |
| 1950 | Dallas | Blayde 'Reb' Hollister |
| 1950 | Bright Leaf | Brant Royle |
| 1949 | Breakdowns of 1949 (Short) | Unknown |
| 1949 | Task Force | Jonathan L. Scott |
| 1949 | It's a Great Feeling | Gary Cooper (uncredited) |
| 1949 | The Fountainhead | Howard Roark |
| 1948 | Good Sam | Sam Clayton |
| 1947 | *Unconquered* | Capt. Christopher Holden |
| 1947 | Variety Girl | Gary Cooper |
| 1946 | Cloak and Dagger | Prof. Alvah Jesper |
| 1945 | Saratoga Trunk | Colonel Clint Maroon |
| 1945 | Along Came Jones | Melody Jones |
| 1944 | Casanova Brown | Casanova Brown |
| 1944 | The Story of Dr. Wassell | Dr. Corydon M. Wassell |
| 1943 | For Whom the Bell Tolls | Robert Jordan |
| 1942 | *The Pride of the Yankees* | Lou Gehrig |
| 1941 | Ball of Fire | Prof. Bertram Potts |
| 1941 | *Sergeant York* | Alvin C. York |
| 1941 | Meet John Doe | 'Long John' Willoughby |
| 1940 | North West Mounted Police | Dusty Rivers |
| 1940 | The Westerner | Cole Harden |
| 1939 | The Real Glory | Dr. Bill Canavan |
| 1939 | Beau Geste | Beau Geste |
| 1938 | The Cowboy and the Lady | Stretch Willoughby |
| 1938 | The Adventures of Marco Polo | Marco Polo |
| 1938 | Bluebeard's Eighth Wife | Michael Brandon |
| 1937 | Souls at Sea | Michael 'Nuggin' Taylor |
| 1936 | The Plainsman | Wild Bill Hickok |
| 1936 | The General Died at Dawn | O'Hara |
| 1936 | Hollywood Boulevard | Gary Cooper- Actor at Trocadero Bar (uncredited) |
| 1936 | *Mr. Deeds Goes To Town* | Longfellow Deeds |
| 1936 | Desire | Tom Bradley |
| 1935 | Peter Ibbetson | Peter Ibbetson |
| 1935 | The Wedding Night | Tony Barrett |
| 1935 | The Lives of a Bengal Lancer | Lt. Alan McGregor |
| 1934 | Now and Forever | Jerry Day |
| 1934 | Operator 13 | Capt. Jack Gailliard |
| 1933 | Alice in Wonderland | White Knight |
| 1933 | Design for Living | George Curtis |
| 1933 | One Sunday Afternoon | Biff Grimes |
| 1933 | Today We Live | Bogard |
| 1932 | A Farewell to Arms | Frederic |
| 1932 | If I Had a Million | Steve Gallagher |
| 1932 | Devil and the Deep | Lt. Sempter |
| 1932 | Make Me a Star | Gary Cooper (uncredited) |
| 1931 | His Woman | Captain Sam Whalan |
| 1931 | I Take This Woman | Tom McNair |
| 1931 | City Streets | The Kid |
| 1931 | The Stolen Jools (Short) | Newspaper Editor |
| 1931 | Fighting Caravans | Clint Belmet |
| 1930 | Morocco | Légionnaire Tom Brown |
| 1930 | The Spoilers | Roy Glenister |
| 1930 | A Man from Wyoming | Jim Baker |
| 1930 | The Texan | Enrique, aka 'Quico,' The Llano Kid |
| 1930 | Paramount on Parade | Hunter - Episode 'Dream Girl' |
| 1930 | Only the Brave | Capt. James Braydon |
| 1930 | Seven Days Leave | Kenneth Downey |
| 1929 | The Virginian | The Virginian |
| 1929 | Betrayal | Andre Frey |
| 1929 | Wolf Song | Sam Lash |
| 1928 | The Shopworn Angel | William Tyler |
| 1928 | The First Kiss | Mulligan Talbot |
| 1928 | Lilac Time | Capt. Philip Blythe |
| 1928 | Half a Bride | Capt. Edmunds |
| 1928 | The Legion of the Condemned | Gale Price |
| 1928 | Doomsday | Arnold Furze |
| 1928 | Beau Sabreur | Maj. Henri de Beaujolais |
| 1927 | Nevada | Nevada |
| 1927 | The Last Outlaw | Sheriff Buddy Hale (as Garry Cooper) |
| 1927 | Wings | Cadet White |
| 1927 | Arizona Bound | Dave Saulter |
| 1927 | Children of Divorce | Edward D. 'Ted' Larrabee |
| 1927 | It | Newspaper Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1926 | Bad Man's Bluff | Cowboy (uncredited) |
| 1926 | Old Ironsides | Seaman (uncredited) |
| 1926 | Lightnin' Flashes (Short) | Undetermined Secondary Role (unconfirmed, uncredited) |
| 1926 | The Winning of Barbara Worth | Abe Lee |
| 1926 | Lightnin' Wins (Short) | Tom Harding |
| 1926 | Thundering Speed | Bit part (uncredited) |
| 1926 | Watch Your Wife | Bit part (uncredited) |
| 1926 | A Six Shootin' Romance | (uncredited) |
| 1926 | The Johnstown Flood | Flood Survivor (uncredited) |
| 1926 | The Enchanted Hill | Bit Part (uncredited) |
| 1926 | Three Pals | Car Driver Flirting with Betty (uncredited) |
| 1925 | Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ | Roman Guard (uncredited) |
| 1925 | North Star | Townsman (uncredited) |
| 1925 | Warrior Gap | Bit part (uncredited) |
| 1925 | Tricks | Rider (uncredited) |
| 1925 | The Eagle | Masked Cossack (uncredited) |
| 1925 | The Vanishing American | Extra (uncredited) |
| 1925 | The Lucky Horseshoe | Unknown-Doubtful (uncredited) |
| 1925 | Wild Horse Mesa | Cowboy (uncredited) |
| 1925 | The Drug Store Cowboy | Cowboy Whose Horse is Being Shod (uncredited) |
| 1925 | Riders of the Purple Sage | Rider (uncredited) |
| 1925 | The Thundering Herd | Buffalo Hunter (uncredited) |
| 1925 | The Trail Rider | Rider (uncredited) |
| 1925 | Dick Turpin | Crowd Extra (uncredited) |
| 1923 | The Last Hour | Extra (unconfirmed, uncredited) |