Gary Cooper

Born: May 7, 1901, Helena, Montana
Died: May 13, 1961 (age 60), Los Angeles

Gary Cooper (Frank James “Gary” Cooper) was an American film actor and iconic star. He was renowned for his quiet, understated acting style and his stoic, individualistic, emotionally restrained, but at times intense screen persona, which was particularly well suited to the many Westerns he made. His career spanned from 1925 until shortly before his death, and comprised more than one hundred films.

What do you know about Gary Cooper.  See you at High Noon with this quick quiz.

1. Gary Cooper won 2 Academy Award for Best Actor. The first was for Sergeant York. What was the second movie?

2. Cooper found he could earn money as an "extra" in the motion picture industry, usually cast as a cowboy.

• Fact or Myth?

3. Cooper gets his first starring role in what 1929 film?

4. Cooper play Wild Bill Hickok in what film?

5. Cooper turned down the lead role and claimed the movie would be a Hollywood flop. What was the movie?

6. In 1933 Cooper married his only wife. Who was his wife?

• Clara Bow
• Grace Kelly
• Veronica Balfe

7. “Puttin' on the Ritz” with the line, “Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper, (super duper)”.

• Fact or Myth?

8. What was Gary’s mother’s name?

• Betty
• Mabel
• Alice

9. Cooper appeared in 107 movies, 82 of which he starred in. Only 16 of those were filmed in color. And he starred in 14 silent movies. How many Westerns did he star in?

• 10
• 15
• 20

10. What was the cause of death?

• Prostate cancer
• Lung cancer
• Cardiac Arrest

Where is Gary Cooper Buried?

Gary Cooper Answers

1. High Noon
2. Fact
3. The Virginian
4. The Plainsman
5. Gone with the Wind
6. Veronica Balfe
7. Fact
8. Alice
9. 20 with 3 being silent films
10. Prostate cancer