Jackie Cooper Biography

The first ever child actor to receive an Academy Award nomination, American John “Jackie” Cooper, Jr. was among the rare breed of child actors who were able to build for themselves an equally successful career as an adult. Even as a small child of nine he was exceptionally talented and became a super star when he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie ‘Skippy’. Raised by a single mother, he grew up witnessing his mother’s siblings who were into show business. His grandmother who worked as an extra introduced young Jackie to filmdom. He made his first film appearance at the age of three. Growing up being surrounded by actors and screenwriters did the boy a lot of good—he became a natural at acting and was confident and poised for his young age. Initially he was given supporting roles because of his age but his acting skills prompted his uncle Norman Taurog, a director, to cast him in a leading role in the film ‘Skippy’. The boy won much critical acclaim and several accolades for this role. With his dedication and perseverance Cooper was able to recreate the success of his childhood as an adult actor as well.