Jackie Cooper

Jackie Cooper, born John Cooper Jr, was born in Los Angeles to John Cooper and Mabel Leonard (Polito) Bigelow, a stage pianist. Jackie's father left the family when he was just 2 years old but the rest of his family was immersed in show business: His Uncle Jack was a screenwriter, his Aunt Julie was an actress married to a director, and his stepfather (C.J. Bigelow) was a studio production manager. With all of these show business connections on his mother's side, it isn't surprising that he became a child actor at the age of 3 (using the name "Leonard") but it may be surprising that he was so talented and well known. After playing many bit parts, he became one of the major actors in the "Our Gang" series. He was also loaned out to Paramount for the movie "Skippy" (for which he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor, the youngest actor ever to be nominated.) After Hal Roach sold Jackie's contract to MGM, he appeared in many films from 1931 - 1941, such as "The Champ" "The Bowery" Treasure Island" and the title role in the Henry Aldrich films "What a Life " and "Life with Henry" to name a few. After WW2 (in which he served in the Navy), Jackie returned to acting, starring in 2 television shows: "The People's Choice" and "Hennesey". Unusually for a child star, he was an active and popular actor throughout his life and he was also a television director, producer, and executive. He was married 3 times: first to June Horne (1944 - 1949), next to Hildy Parks (1950 - 1951), and last to Barbara Rae Kraus (1954- 2009). He had 2 sons and 2 daughters but he was only survived by his sons - his last wife, Barbara, and his 2 daughters predeceased him. He has a Hollywood Walk of Fame star at 1507 Vine St .