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Jackie Cooper
0 FOLLOWERS • 74 CREDITS • SEP 15, 1922 - MAY 3, 2011 • 88
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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).
Overview
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
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Studio One
Lux Video Theatre
The Merv Griffin Show
Ironside
The Rockford Files
Suspense
What's My Line?
Kojak
The Philco Television Playhouse
The Twilight Zone
Hawaii Five-O
McCloud
The F.B.I.
The Danny Kaye Show
Police Story
General Electric Theater
The Colgate Comedy Hour
Murder, She Wrote
St. Elsewhere
The Steve Allen Show
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
The Dick Powell Show
Telephone Time
Columbo
Ghost Story
Your Show of Shows
The George Gobel Show
The Gertrude Berg Show
Danger
Justice
Hec Ramsey
To Tell the Truth
Producers' Showcase
Pursuit
The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre
Starlight Theatre
Texaco Star Theater
You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
Superman II
Superman
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
This Is Your Life
Robert Montgomery Presents
Superman III
Hennesey
The Dean Martin Comedy World
The People's Choice
Glamour Boy
Life with Henry
The Astronaut
Skippy
Seventeen
Sooky
What a Life
Lone Cowboy
Production Credits
Sex and the Single Parent
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Superboy
Magnum, P.I.
Quincy, M.E.
Trapper John, M.D.
Hennesey
Paris
Having Babies III
Ensign O'Toole
McMillan & Wife
Jake and the Fatman
M*A*S*H
The Rockford Files
Cagney & Lacey
The Law & Harry McGraw
Perfect Gentlemen
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