Jeff Cooper (actor) explained

Birth Date:c. 1936
Birth Place:Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Death Place:Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Alma Mater:Central Collegiate

George Frederick "Jeff" Cooper (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, c.1936 – March 24, 2018) was a Canadian actor who participated in projects of diverse genres in both film and television.[1]

Early life

George Frederick Cooper was born in Hamilton, Ontario.[2] He first auditioned for film roles but as he was not having any success he decided to go for the realtor business. Coincidentally, the day he received his license was the same day he was cast as Dr. Simon Ellby in the hit T.V. soap opera show Dallas. Cooper played the role from 1979 to 1981.

Career

Besides his famous role as Dr. Ellby he was also cast in various iconic roles. In Mexico, he was perhaps best known as the superhero Kalimán[3] in the famous international production of Kalimán, el hombre increíble (Kalimán, the incredible man) and its sequel Kalimán en el siniestro mundo de Humanón (Kalimán in the sinister world of Humanón.)

Another iconic role of his is the character of Cord in the Bruce Lee written film Circle of Iron, where he co-starred with David Carradine and Christopher Lee.[4]

Cooper left Hollywood in 1995 and moved back to his hometown of Hamilton. He spent his days playing guitar, working out at the local YMCA, and reading books he checked out from the public library.

Filmography

Film performances
YearTitleRoleNotes
1966Duel at DiabloTrooper CaseyUncredited
1967The Born LosersGangrene
1968The Impossible YearsBartholmew Smuts
19681001 NightsOmar
1968Mir hat es immer Spaß gemachtBob Greene
1973Kalimán, el hombre increíbleKalimán
1974A Knife for the LadiesBurns
1975Viaje fantástico en globoKennedy
1976Kalimán en el siniestro mundo de HumanónKalimán
1978Circle of ironCord
1986Oceans of fireHandsome ManTV movie
2002BleedPool Party PersonAlso costume designer
2006The Abberdine County ConjurerSean SteelAlso director
Television performances
YearTitleRoleNotes
1961Hawaiian EyeOrville GrangerThe Final Score
1963The Great AdventureMicajah ClarkEpisode: "The Treasure Train of Jefferson Clark"
1963The Alfred Hitchcock HourPete PhillipsSeason 2 Episode 8: "The Cadaver"
1964Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler TheatreThe MCEpisode: "Runaway"
1964ChanningProfessor GrayEpisode: "Freedom Is a Lovesome Thing God Wot"
1964BroadsideLieutenant DavisonEpisode: "The Great Lipstick War"
1964The Virginian Matt PotterEpisode: "All Nice and Legal"
1964Profiles in CourageKillroyEpisode: "John Adams"
1965Kraft Suspense TheatreDanielEpisode: "In Darkness Waiting", Parts 1 & 2
1965Perry MasonHenning DolwigEpisode: "The Case of the Impetuous Imp"
1965Vacation PlayhouseFrank MerriwellEpisode: "Frank Merriwell"
1976Wonder WomanMajor Charlie ScottTV role
1977Barnaby JonesBilly CranstonTV role
1979DallasDr. Simon Ellby19 episodes
1980Beyond WestworldDean Stoner
1981The Love BoatHumphrey Clark
1981Vega$Mike Kier
1982The Greatest American HeroReo Crocker
1982The Powers of Matthew StarVate
1983Knight RiderRicky

Death

Cooper died on March 24, 2018, in his hometown of Hamilton, at the age of 82. He was survived by his wife Colette, a well-known realtor in Hamilton.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Obituary: Hamilton-born actor Jeff Cooper best known for role as psychiatrist in TV's Dallas. Muskoka Region. Daniel. Nolan. July 15, 2018. May 15, 2022.
  2. Book: Lentz, Harris. Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2018. 83. McFarland. June 3, 2019. 9781476670331. Google Books.
  3. News: Marketing The Well-Furred Chest. The Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. November 18, 1972. May 15, 2022. 102. Newspapers.com.
  4. Book: Freese, Gene. Classic Movie Fight Scenes: 75 Years of Bare Knuckle Brawls, 1914-1989. 261. McFarland. October 5, 2017. 9781476669434. Google Books.