Jackie Cooper
Actor
Birthday: (88) 1922-09-15 - Deathday: 2011-05-03
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USAAlso known as: John Cooper Jr.,
Served with the Navy in the South Pacific toward the end of World War II. Then, quietly and without publicity or fanfare, compiled one of the most distinguished peacetime military careers of anyone in his profession. In 1961, as his weekly TV series Hennesey (1959) was enhancing naval recruiting efforts, accepted a commission as a line officer in the Naval Reserve with duties in recruitment, training films, and public relations. Holder of a multi-engine pilot license, he later co-piloted jet planes for the Navy, which made him an Honorary Aviator authorized to wear wings of gold-at the time only the third so honored in naval aviation history. By 1976 he had attained the rank of captain, and was in uniform aboard the carrier USS Constellation for the Bicentennial celebration on July 4. In 1980, the Navy proposed a period of active duty at the Pentagon that would have resulted in a promotion to rear admiral, bringing him even with Air Force Reserve Brigadier General James Stewart. Fresh on the heels of a second directing Emmy, he felt his absence would impact achieving a long-held goal of directing motion pictures, and reluctantly declined. (The opportunity in films never materialized.) Holds Letters of Commendation from six secretaries of the Navy. Was honorary chairman of the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation and a charter member of VIVA, the effort to return POW-MIAs from Vietnam. Upon retirement in 1982, he was decorated with the Legion of Merit by Navy Secretary John F. Lehman Jr.. Other than Stewart, no performer in his industry has achieved a higher uniformed rank in the U.S. military. (Glenn Ford was also a Naval Reserve captain, and director and Captain John Ford was awarded honorary flag rank upon his 1951 retirement from the Naval Reserve).
Movies:
Series:
Other:
Rodeo Girl
10
Director
White Mama
8
Director
Leave 'Em Laug...
8
Director
M*A*S*H
7.925
Director
Sledge Hammer!
7.885
Director
The Mary Tyler...
7.539
Director
The Rockford F...
7.522
Director
Quincy, M.E.
7.509
Director
Magnum, P.I.
7.29
Director
The White Shad...
7.094
Director
Stand Up and B...
7
Director
Cagney & Lacey
6.984
Director
McMillan & Wife
6.875
Director
Trapper John, ...
6.5
Director
The Law & Harr...
6.5
Director
Ensign O'Toole
6.5
Director
Superboy
6.4
Director
Ohara
6.2
Director
Jake and the F...
6.12
Director
Moonlight
6
Director
Hennesey
6
Director
The Night They...
5.63
Director
Supercarrier
5.5
Director
Paris
5
Director
Holmes & Yo-Yo
5
Creator
Glitter
4.5
Director
Izzy & Moe
4
Director
Perfect Gentle...
4
Director
Marathon
4
Director
Having Babies ...
4
Director
Rainbow
0
Director
The Ladies
0
Director
The Ladies
0
Producer
Rosie: The Ros...
0
Director
The Deacon Str...
0
Director
Sex and the Si...
0
Director
Spies
0
Director
The Feather An...
0
Director
Images
