Ben Cooper (September 30, 1933 – February 24, 2020) was an American

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), lit ...

film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmospher ...

and

television Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, ...

, who won a

Golden Boot Award Golden means made of, or relating to gold. Golden may also refer to: Places United Kingdom *Golden, in the parish of Probus, Cornwall *Golden Cap, Dorset *Golden Square, Soho, London *Golden Valley, a valley on the River Frome in Gloucestershir ...

in 2005 for his work in westerns.

Stage

Cooper appeared on Broadway in '' Life With Father'' (1939). He debuted in the role of Harlan at age 9; before the play performances ended in 1943, Cooper had grown enough to play Whitney.

Radio

Cooper acted in thirty-four

radio Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a tr ...

serials, many of them

soap opera A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television Serial (radio and television), serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio drama ...

s, in the era of

old-time radio The Golden Age of Radio, also known as the old-time radio (OTR) era, was an era of radio in the United States where it was the dominant electronic home entertainment medium. It began with the birth of commercial radio broadcasting in the earl ...

Film and television career

Cooper's earliest credited screen appearance was as an eighteen-year-old in 1952–1953 on the '' Armstrong Circle Theatre'', then on NBC, in the two episodes "The Commandant's Clock" and "Changing Dream". Thereafter, he appeared in numerous films with

Republic Pictures Republic Pictures Corporation (currently held under Melange Pictures, LLC) was an American motion picture production-distribution corporation in operation from 1935 to 1967, that was based in Los Angeles. It had studio facilities in Studio City a ...

such as '' Thunderbirds'', ''

Johnny Guitar ''Johnny Guitar'' is a 1954 American Western film directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge, Ernest Borgnine and Scott Brady. It was produced and distributed by Republic Pictures. The screen ...

'', '' The Last Command'', ''

Duel at Apache Wells ''Duel at Apache Wells'' (also known as ''Durango Kid der Rächer'' in Austrian and West German territories) is a 1957 American Western film in Naturama directed by Joseph Kane (credited as Joe Kane) for Republic Pictures. It was written by Ro ...

'' (1956), and other films such as '' The Rose Tattoo''. Cooper began appearing on dozens of television westerns. He was cast as Clint Harding, a young man intent on murdering his father, in the 1956 episode, "Vengeance Canyon" on '' Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre''.

Walter Brennan Walter Andrew Brennan (July 25, 1894 – September 21, 1974) was an American actor and singer. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in '' Come and Get It'' (1936), ''Kentucky'' (1938), and '' The Westerner ...

and Sheb Wooley played outlaws, Joe and Brock, respectively, whom Clint encountered on the trail. Joe tries to convince Clint that vengeance is unproductive. He appeared in ''

Tales of Wells Fargo ''Tales of Wells Fargo'' is an American Western television series starring Dale Robertson that ran from 1957 to 1962 on NBC. Produced by Revue Productions, the series aired in a half-hour format until its final season, when it expanded t ...

'', ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings ...

'', ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central chara ...

'' (as “Pitt”, a semi-outlaw trying to go straight and become a Doctor with “Doc Adam’s” help in S7E11’s “Apprentice Doc”), ''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 13, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 432 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running western, the second-longest-running western series on ...

'', and '' Rawhide''. He unsuccessfully tested in 1962 for the role of Steve Hill on NBC's 90-minute western television series, '' The Virginian''. He played murderer Frank Wells in the 1961 '' Perry Mason'' episode "The Case of the Impatient Partner," Davis Crane in the 1962 episode "The Case of the Promoter's Pillbox," and James Grove in the 1962 episode "The Case of the Polka Dot Pony." He also played murderer Clyde Jasper in the 1965 ''Perry Mason'' episode "The Case of the Mischievous Doll".

Personal life

Cooper was a native of

Hartford, Connecticut Hartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was the seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960. It is the core city in the Greater Hartford metropolitan area. Census estimates since t ...

, then resided in the

Greater Los Angeles Area Greater Los Angeles is the second-largest metropolitan region in the United States with a population of 18.5 million in 2021, encompassing five counties in Southern California extending from Ventura County in the west to San Bernardino ...

. He served in the US Army. After he was diagnosed with

dementia Dementia is a disorder which manifests as a set of related symptoms, which usually surfaces when the brain is damaged by injury or disease. The symptoms involve progressive impairments in memory, thinking, and behavior, which negatively affe ...

, he moved to a memory care facility in

Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-mo ...

in 2017 to be near his family; he died there on February 24, 2020 at the age of 86. He had two daughters by his late wife Pamela R. Cooper. Cooper supported

Barry Goldwater Barry Morris Goldwater (January 2, 1909 – May 29, 1998) was an American politician and United States Air Force officer who was a five-term U.S. Senator from Arizona (1953–1965, 1969–1987) and the Republican Party nominee for president ...

in the

1964 United States presidential election The 1964 United States presidential election was the 45th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 3, 1964. Incumbent Democratic United States President Lyndon B. Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater, the Republican nomi ...

Quotes

Filmography

Film appearances

*''

Side Street A side road is a minor highway typically leading off a main road.Main road — definition

'' (1950) - Young Man at Cleaners (uncredited) *'' Thunderbirds'' (1952) - Calvin Jones *''

Woman They Almost Lynched ''Woman They Almost Lynched'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by Allan Dwan and written by Steve Fisher. The film stars John Lund, Brian Donlevy, Audrey Totter, Joan Leslie, Ben Cooper, James Brown and Nina Varela. The film was rele ...

'' (1953) -

Jesse James Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised in the " Little Dixie" area of Western Missouri, James and his family maintained st ...

*'' A Perilous Journey'' (1953) - Sam *''

Sea of Lost Ships ''Sea of Lost Ships'' is a 1953 American adventure film directed by Joseph Kane and starring John Derek, Wanda Hendrix and Walter Brennan. It is a tribute to the US Coast Guard. Plot The son of a deceased Coast Guard hero is raised by a Coast Gua ...

'' (1953) - 3rd Plane Crewman *'' Flight Nurse'' (1953) - Pfc. Marvin Judd *'' Outlaw's Son'' (1953) - Jeff Blaine *''

'' (1954) - Turkey Ralston *'' The Outcast'' (1954) - The Kid *''

Hell's Outpost ''Hell's Outpost'' is a 1954 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Rod Cameron, Joan Leslie, Chill Wills, John Russell. Plot Tully Gibbs arrives in a California mining town looking for Kevin Russel, whose late son Al he h ...

'' (1954) - Alec Bacchione *''

The Eternal Sea ''The Eternal Sea'' (aka ''The Admiral Hoskins Story'') is a 1955 American war film directed by John H. Auer and starring Sterling Hayden, Alexis Smith and Ben Cooper. After an American naval officer loses his leg at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, he ...

'' (1955) - Seaman P.J. 'Zuggy' Zugbaum *'' The Last Command'' (1955) - Jeb Lacey *'' Headline Hunters'' (1955) - David Flynn *'' The Rose Tattoo'' (1955) - Seaman Jack Hunter *'' The Fighting Chance'' (1955) - Mike Gargan *''

A Strange Adventure ''A Strange Adventure'' is a 1956 American crime film directed by William Witney, written by Houston Branch and starring Joan Evans, Ben Cooper, Marla English, Jan Merlin, Nick Adams and Peter Miller. It was released on August 24, 1956 by ...

'' (1956) - Harold Norton *'' Rebel in Town'' (1956) - Gray Mason *''

'' (1957) - Johnny Shattuck *'' Outlaw's Son'' (1957) - Jeff Blaine *'' Chartroose Caboose'' (1960) - Dub Dawson *'' Gunfight at Comanche Creek'' (1963) - Carter *'' The Raiders'' (1963) - Tom King *'' Arizona Raiders'' (1965) - Willie Martin *''

Waco Waco ( ) is the county seat of McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is situated along the Brazos River and I-35, halfway between Dallas and Austin. The city had a 2020 population of 138,486, making it the 22nd-most populous city in the s ...

'' (1966) - Scotty Moore *''

Red Tomahawk ''Red Tomahawk'' is a 1967 American Western film directed by R. G. Springsteen and written by Steve Fisher. The film stars Howard Keel, Joan Caulfield, Broderick Crawford, Scott Brady, Wendell Corey, Richard Arlen and Tom Drake. The film was r ...

'' (1967) - Lt. Drake *''

The Fastest Guitar Alive ''The Fastest Guitar Alive'' is a 1967 American musical comedy Western film, directed by Michael D. Moore with singer Roy Orbison in his only starring role as an actor. The film features Orbison performing seven original songs, which appeared o ...

'' (1967) - Rink *''

Support Your Local Gunfighter ''Support Your Local Gunfighter'' is a 1971 American comic Western film directed by Burt Kennedy and starring James Garner and Suzanne Pleshette. The screenplay was written by James Edward Grant. The picture shares many cast and crew members ...

'' (1971) - Colorado *''

One More Train to Rob ''One More Train to Rob'' is a 1971 American comedy western film directed by Andrew McLaglen, starring George Peppard, and featuring Diana Muldaur, John Vernon and France Nuyen. The shooting title for the film was ''Hark''. Plot Set in the O ...

'' (1971) - First Deputy *'' The Sky's the Limit'' (1975) - Hank *'' Lightning Jack'' (1994) - Shopkeeper in Bank

Television appearances

Cooper was a notable performer in many television westerns. Cooper also appeared in

television pilot A television pilot (also known as a pilot or a pilot episode and sometimes marketed as a tele-movie), in United States television, is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell a show to a television network or other dis ...

s for ''Command'' (1958), ''The Reno Brothers'' (1960), and ''The Freebooters'' (1967).Terrace, Vincent (2018). ''Encyclopedia of Unaired Television Pilots, 1945–2018'', p. 31. McFarland. Retrieved 9 Oct 2018 These performances include appearances in the following television westerns: *''

One Step Beyond One Step Beyond may refer to: Music * ''One Step Beyond'' (Dungeon album) or the title song, 2004 * ''One Step Beyond'' (Jackie McLean album), 1963 * '' One Step Beyond...'', an album by Madness, or the title song (see below), 1979 * ''One Step ...

'' (1959) - Ronnie Watson *''

'' (1959) - Matthew Land *'' Wichita Town'' (1959) - Tom Warren *''

Johnny Ringo John Peters Ringo (May 3, 1850 – July 13, 1882), known as Johnny Ringo, was an American Old West outlaw loosely associated with the Cochise County Cowboys in frontier boomtown Tombstone, Arizona Territory. He took part in the Mason County ...

'' (1960) - Mike Reno *''

'' (1959-1960) - Tom Tuckett/Steve Campden II *''

Zane Grey Theater ''Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre'' is an American Western anthology television series that was broadcast on CBS from October 5, 1956, until September 20, 1962. Format Many episodes were based on novels by Zane Grey, to all of which Four Star F ...

'' (1956-1960) - Sandy/Darryl Thompson/Sam Duskin Jr./Clint Harding *'' Stagecoach West'' (1960) - Jeremy Boone *'' The Westerner'' (1960) - Cal Davis *''

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, dystopian fiction, suspense, horror, sup ...

'' (1961) - Dauger *''

The Rifleman ''The Rifleman'' is an American Western television program starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark McCain. It was set in the 1880s in the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. The sho ...

'' (1961) - Simon Lee *''

'' (1960-1961) - Johnny Lightly/Sam Kirby *''

'' (1961-1965) - Pitt Campbell/Breck Taylor *'' Perry Mason'' (1961-1965) - Various Roles *'' Laramie'' (1962) - Johnny Hartley/Sandy Catlin *'' Combat!'' (1963-1965) - Corporal Cross/Willy Kleve *'' Rawhide'' (1964) - Clell Miller *''

The Time Tunnel ''The Time Tunnel'' is an American color science fiction TV series written around a theme of time travel adventure starring James Darren and Robert Colbert. The show was creator-producer Irwin Allen's third science-fiction television series an ...

'' (1966) - Nazarro *''

Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American old-time radio and television anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program ...

'' (1969) - Jason Tugwell *'' The Virginian'' (1970) - Jason *'' Kung Fu'' (1974) - Goodnight *''

The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo ''The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo'' is an American action comedy television series that ran on NBC from September 18, 1979, to May 5, 1981. For its second season the show was renamed ''Lobo''. The program aired Tuesday nights, at 8:00p.m. East ...

'' (1979-1980) - Waverly *'' Who's The Boss'' (1984) - Truth In Dating *''

Dallas Dallas () is the third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County ...

'' (1985) - Mr. Parrish *'' Kung Fu: The Legend Continues'' (1995) - Sheriff Dowd

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Cooper, Ben 1933 births 2020 deaths American male film actors American male television actors American male radio actors Columbia University alumni Male actors from Hartford, Connecticut People from Greater Los Angeles Western (genre) television actors 20th-century American male actors