Chris Cooper

Photo of Chris Cooper

Biography

An intense character actor with a knack for playing taciturn authority figures, Chris Cooper came to prominence following his third collaboration with director John Sayles, "Lone Star" (1996), which put him on Hollywood's radar and opened the doors to a wider range of projects. His first film with Sayles, "Matewan" (1987), was also his feature debut. Though critically acclaimed and recognized in the indie world, Cooper waited almost another …
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Job Title

Actor, Music

Born

Christopher W Cooper on July 9, 1951 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Career Milestones

2011

Co-starred with Jason Segel and Amy Adams in the family comedy "The Muppets"

2010

Cast as Antonio in Julie Taymor's "The Tempest"

2010

Played Emilie de Ravin's father in "Remember Me"

2010

Again starred opposite Ben Affleck in the recession drama "The Company Men"; directed by John Wells

2010

Cast in the ensemble crime drama "The Town," directed by Ben Affleck

2009

Voiced Douglas in Spike Jonze's live-action adaptation of Maurice Sendak's children's book, "Where the Wild Things Are"

2008

Co-starred in the 1950's drama, "Married Life"

2007

Portrayed a government agent investigating the bombing of an American facility in Saudi Arabia in Peter Berg's "The Kingdom"

2007

Portrayed American traitor Robert Hanssen in the drama, "Breach"

2005

Co-starred with George Clooney and Matt Damon in the geopolitical thriller "Syriana"

2005

Re-teamed with director Sam Mendes for "Jarhead"

2005

Joined the cast of John Patrick Shanley's play, "Chain of Command"

2004

Starred in John Sayles' political satire "Silver City"

2003

Cast in the Gary Ross directed "Seabiscuit"; received a SAG nomination for best supporting actor

2003

Co-strarred in the war mini-series "My House in Umbria"; received an Emmy nomination for Supporting Actor

2002

Delivered a compelling performance as orchid thief John Larouche in the offbeat film "Adaptation"; earned BAFTA and SAG nominations for Best Supporting Actor

2002

Seen as shadowy espionage orchestrator Konklin in the remake of "The Bourne Identity"

2000

Cast as Lt. Gerke in the Farrelly Brothers comedy "Me, Myself and Irene"

2000

Portrayed a former comrade of Mel Gibson's in the Revolutionary War drama "The Patriot"

1999

Offered a fine turn as a martinet military man in Sam Mendes' "American Beauty"

1999

Delivered a strong turn as the coal miner father of a boy with aspirations to work for NASA in "October Sky"

1998

Played Robert Redford's brother in "The Horse Whisperer"

1997

Co-starred with David Schwimmer in the HBO movie "Breast Men"

1996

Played Sheriff Sam Deeds in Sayles' "Lone Star"

1993

Reprised role of July Johnson in sequel "Return to Lonsome Dove"

1991

Co-starred in Sayles' "City of Hope"

1989

Appeared as July Johnson in "Lonesome Dove" (CBS)

1988

TV-movie debut in "Eugene O'Neill: Journey into Genius" (PBS)

1987

Primetime TV series debut, "The Equalizer" (CBS)

1987

Major film debut, John Sayles' "Matewan"

1985

London stage debut, "Sweet Bird of Youth"

1980

Film debut, "Bad Timing"

1980

Stage debut, "Of the Fields, Lately"

1968

Started in theater as set designer and builder when a teenager

Grew up in Houston, TX and Kansas City, MO

Awards

2006

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in Capote

2004

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in Seabiscuit

2004

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Seabiscuit

2003

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in Adaptation

2003

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Adaptation

2003

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie in My House in Umbria

2002

Academy Award for Actor In a Supporting Role in Adaptation

2002

BAFTA Award for Actor In a Supporting Role in Adaptation

2002

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in Adaptation

2002

Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor in Adaptation

2002

Critics' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in Adaptation

2002

National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor in Adaptation

2002

San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor      in Adaptation

2002

Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Performance, Male in Adaptation

2000

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in American Beauty

2000

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in American Beauty

1997

Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead in Lone Star