
Jackie Cooper
0 FOLLOWERS • 73 CREDITS • SEP 15, 1922 - MAY 3, 2011 • 88
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).
Known For

Lux Video Theatre

The Merv Griffin Show

Ironside

What's My Line?

Kojak

The Philco Television Playhouse

The Twilight Zone

Hawaii Five-O

McCloud

The F.B.I.

Police Story

The Danny Kaye Show

General Electric Theater

The Colgate Comedy Hour

Murder, She Wrote

Studio One

St. Elsewhere

The Steve Allen Show

The Dinah Shore Chevy Show

The Dick Powell Show

Telephone Time

Columbo

Suspense

The Rockford Files

Ghost Story

Your Show of Shows

The George Gobel Show

Danger

The Gertrude Berg Show

Justice

Hec Ramsey

Pursuit

Producers' Showcase

To Tell the Truth

Texaco Star Theater

The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre

Starlight Theatre

You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

Superman

Superman II

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

This Is Your Life

Superman III

Robert Montgomery Presents

Hennesey

Lone Cowboy

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Glamour Boy

Life with Henry

The Dean Martin Comedy World

Seventeen

Sooky

What a Life

The Astronaut

Skippy

The People's Choice
Production Credits
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