Ben Cooper's Early Life and Career:
Ben Cooper, a handsome and boyish-looking individual, began his acting career by playing child roles in second features, often for Poverty Row studio Republic. At the tender age of nine, he made his stage debut in Bretaigne Windust's Broadway production of "Life With Father," remaining with the cast for the entire run of the play. This marked the beginning of his lengthy spell on the airwaves, where he lent his voice to numerous famous radio soap operas, acting in over 3000 radio shows by some accounts.
Education and Early Screen Work:
A graduate of Columbia University in New York, Ben Cooper made his screen debut in a bit part in 1950. Three years later, he played Jesse James in a cameo appearance in "Woman They Almost Lynched" (1953). However, his career stalled until he was cast as Turkey Ralston, a brash would-be gunslinger, in the noirish cult western "Johnny Guitar" (1954).
Westerns and Stunt Work:
Ben Cooper's forte was the western, and he had his own horse by the age of twelve. He became an adept rider and diligently rehearsed the stunts he saw on screen. He also perfected a fast draw, practicing for 90 minutes each day over four years. During the early 1950s, he played various characters on both sides of the law in B-westerns.
Career Highlights and Challenges:
While Ben Cooper never quite managed to set the prairie on fire, he did have a few standout performances. One of his most effective roles was in "The Rose Tattoo" (1955),where he played a good-natured sailor in love with Marisa Pavan. However, he was unable to find the one role that would have made him a household name. Instead, he pursued a solid, if unremarkable, career as a television guest star, appearing in westerns such as "Laramie" (1959),"Bonanza" (1959),and "Gunsmoke" (1955),as well as crime dramas like "Perry Mason" (1957) and "Mannix" (1967).
Awards and Legacy:
Ben Cooper's work in westerns earned him a Golden Boot Award in 2005. Despite not achieving superstardom, he maintained a steady career as a television guest star, leaving a lasting impression on the world of entertainment.
