theOscarSite Facts:
Birth Date:
  • 9 July 1951
Birthplace:
  • Kansas City, MO
Quote:
  • "I wanted to be an actor, not a star." -- People, August 5, 1996
Claim to Fame:
  • Played July Johnson in the popular CBS miniseries "Lonesome Dove" (1989)
Education:
  • Southwest High School (Kansas City, MO)
  • University of Missouri (Columbia); majored in agriculture and acting
  • Stephens College (Columbia, MO); studied ballet
Significant Other:
  • Wife: Marianne Leone, screenwriter, actor, comedian; met in acting class 1979; married July 1983
Family:
  • Father: Charles Cooper, internist; served as a doctor in the US Air Force; also operated a cattle ranch
  • Mother: Mary Ann Cooper
  • Brother: Chuck Cooper, contractor; born 1948
  • Son: Jesse Cooper; born 1987, prematurely with cerebral palsy; died 2005
Feature Film
Credits:
  • Hurricane Mary (2008)
    Married Life, The Kingdom, Breach (2007)
    Syriana, Jarhead, Capote (2005)
    The Bourne Supremacy (uncredited), Silver City (2004)
    Seabiscuit (2003)
    The Bourne Identity, Adaptation (2002)
    Me, Myself & Irene, The Patriot (2000)
    October Sky, American Beauty (1999)
    Great Expectations, The Horse Whisperer (1998)
    Breast Men (1997)
    Lone Star, The Deliverance of Elaine (1996)
    Money Train, Pharaoh's Army (1995)
    One More Mountain (1994)
    This Boy's Life (1993)
    Lone Justice (1993)
    Bed of Lies, Ned Blessing (1992)
    Thousand Pieces of Gold, In Broad Daylight, 1,000 Pieces of Gold (1991)
    A Little Piece of Sunshine (1990)
    Matewan (1987)
Academy Awards®:
  •  Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role 2002: ADAPTATION

  • 1 nomination, 1 Award