Chris Cooper

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18 Feb 2024

Chris Cooper

Christopher Walton Cooper, born on July 9, 1951, is an esteemed American actor known for his versatile performances across various genres. His impressive filmography includes notable Hollywood productions such as A Time to Kill (1996), October Sky (1999), American Beauty (1999), The Bourne Identity (2002), Seabiscuit (2003), Capote (2005), Syriana (2005), The Kingdom (2007), Where the Wild Things Are (2009), The Town (2010), The Muppets (2011), Live by Night (2016), Cars 3 (2017), A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019), and Little Women (2019).
Cooper's portrayal of Sheriff July Johnson in the acclaimed miniseries Lonesome Dove (1989) solidified his reputation as a talented actor, contributing to the series' status as one of the most successful Westerns in history.
In 2002, Cooper achieved critical acclaim and earned both the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his compelling performance as John Laroche in the film Adaptation. He demonstrated his versatility by taking on a lead role in the historical and political thriller Breach (2007), portraying FBI agent and traitor Robert Hanssen. Cooper further showcased his acting prowess as Daniel Sloan in the 2012 political thriller The Company You Keep and as Norman Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014). Additionally, he portrayed Al Templeton in the 2016 Hulu miniseries 11.22.63.
Cooper has enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with director John Sayles, contributing memorable performances to films such as Matewan (1987), City of Hope (1991), Lone Star (1996), Silver City (2004), and Amigo (2010).

Christopher Walton Cooper was born on July 9, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Charles and Mary Ann Cooper. His father, who served as both a United States Air Force doctor and a cattleman, and his mother, a housewife, hailed from Texas. Cooper grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City, spending his summers at the family's cattle ranch near Leavenworth, Kansas. His older brother, Chuck Cooper, was born in 1948. The family also lived in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Houston during Cooper's upbringing.
While attending Southwest High School in Kansas City, Cooper became involved with a local theater company, initially working backstage due to his background in carpentry. After high school, he considered pursuing a career in cattle farming but ultimately enrolled at the University of Missouri, majoring in set design. However, he switched his major to acting during his sophomore year to overcome his shyness. Cooper immersed himself in acting classes and theater productions at the university and also took dance classes at Stephens College.
Upon graduating from the University of Missouri, Cooper moved to New York City in 1976 to pursue a career in acting. In New York, he lived in a one-bedroom apartment with four other aspiring artists and supported himself by renovating apartments, working in construction, and taking on various odd jobs. He studied acting under renowned teachers such as Stella Adler and Wynn Handman. Prior to making his film debut in Matewan (1987), Cooper spent twelve years honing his craft on stage with the Actors Theater of Louisville and the Seattle Repertory. He also appeared in the London revival of Sweet Bird of Youth in 1985.

Christopher Walton Cooper's career has been marked by a series of notable performances in both film and television.
Early in his career, Cooper appeared in John Sayles' 1987 film "Matewan" and the 1989 CBS-TV miniseries "Lonesome Dove." He continued to impress with roles in independent films like "Thousand Pieces of Gold" (1991) and ABC-TV's "Bed of Lies" (1992).
In later years, Cooper delivered memorable performances in various films, including:

"Money Train" (1995), where he portrayed a psychotic pyromaniac.
"Lone Star" (1996), in which he played a Texas sheriff investigating a cold case.
"A Time to Kill" (1996), directed by Joel Schumacher, where he portrayed Deputy Dwayne Looney.
"American Beauty" (1999), where he depicted a closeted homophobic Marine Corps colonel.
"The Patriot" (2000), where he played Colonel Harry Burwell.
"Adaptation" (2002), earning him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as John Laroche.
"The Bourne Identity" (2002) and its sequel, "The Bourne Supremacy" (2004), as a ruthless CIA special ops director.
"Seabiscuit" (2003), portraying racehorse trainer Tom Smith, earning him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
"Capote" (2005) and "Syriana" (2005), among others.

In addition to his film work, Cooper has also made appearances on stage, including a role in the Broadway play "A Doll's House, Part 2" in 2017, for which he received a Tony Award nomination. He also played Norman Osborn in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" (2014).
Recent highlights of Cooper's career include roles in "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" (2019) alongside Tom Hanks and Greta Gerwig's adaptation of "Little Women" (2019), featuring an ensemble cast.

Christopher Cooper's personal life has been marked by profound experiences, including his relationship with his wife, Marianne Leone, and the loss of their son, Jesse Lanier Cooper.
Cooper and Leone met in 1979 at an acting class in New York City and married in July 1983. Their son, Jesse, was born prematurely in October 1987 and developed cerebral palsy as a result of a cerebral hemorrhage shortly after birth. Despite the challenges, Jesse became an honor student after being mainstreamed into school. His life and his struggle with cerebral palsy deeply impacted Cooper, who has spoken about the profound lessons he learned from his son's strength and resilience.
Tragically, Jesse passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from epilepsy on January 3, 2005. His death profoundly affected Cooper, who has reflected on how it has influenced his understanding of the characters he portrays on screen.
In memory of Jesse, a memorial fund, the Jesse Cooper Foundation, was established. Cooper has spoken about how his son's passing has influenced his portrayal of certain characters, such as Charles Aiken in "August: Osage County" (2013) and Phil Eastwood in "Demolition" (2015).
Cooper and Leone are also known for their love of rescue dogs, and they have opened their home to several adopted pets over the years.
As of 2003, Cooper resides in Kingston, Massachusetts, and he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2016. He maintains a close friendship with frequent collaborator John Sayles since 1985.