Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Another Familiar Face, Gone Away

I was sorry to hear about the death yesterday of onetime child actor-turned-director Jackie Cooper.

Although many obituaries (including this one) herald Cooper’s appearance as newspaper editor Perry White in the Superman films of the 1970s and ’80s, and as the star before that of a sitcom called Hennesey, I remember him best as a fixture of some very classic TV crime dramas. His résumé included appearances in Hawaii Five-O, McCloud, Ironside, Columbo, Kojak, Hec Ramsey, Police Story, and The Rockford Files. Cooper was featured as well in the 1975 ABC series Mobile One, playing a resolute TV reporter. He won Emmy Awards for his work as a director on M*A*S*H and The White Shadow.

Cooper passed away in Beverly Hills, California. He was 88 years old.

(Hat tip to Bill Crider’s Pop Culture Magazine.)

READ MORE:Skippy Is Dead, R.I.P.,” by Steve Heller (Imprint); “Jackie Cooper Passes On,” by Mercurie (A Shroud of Thoughts).

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Cooper was always great in Rockford as the combative Capt. Highland. The episode called 'Claire' has Cooper AND another Perry White, Lane Smith, as guest stars. Sadly, I don't think they share any scenes.

Cooper also directed installments of Rockford, McMillan & Wife, Quincy, Magnum PI and Cagney & Lacey.