Jackie Cooper

Jackie Cooper

1922-09-15

Biography

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).

Also appears in

Superman

Superman

7.1

Superman III

Superman III

5.5

Superman II

Superman II

6.7

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

4.6

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

7.4

The Return of Frank James

The Return of Frank James

6.3

Treasure Island

Treasure Island

6.5

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

8.5

Scouts to the Rescue

Scouts to the Rescue

Not yet rated

Ziegfeld Girl

Ziegfeld Girl

6.5

The Navy Comes Through

The Navy Comes Through

5.6

The Big Guy

The Big Guy

Not yet rated

The Champ

The Champ

7.0

Shadow on the Land

Shadow on the Land

8.0

Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman

Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman

7.4

The Making of ’Superman II’

The Making of ’Superman II’

7.0

The Invisible Man

The Invisible Man

10.0

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

5.7

The Making of ’Superman: The Movie’

The Making of ’Superman: The Movie’

5.6

Inside the Dream Factory

Inside the Dream Factory

6.0