In over 89 movies he portrayed pioneer, pilot, cowboy and soldier with charm and a succinct stateliness. Gary Cooper was best known as the tall, Western American hero of 20th century film. In a 35-year movie career, Gary Cooper became one of Hollywood's leading men, commanding both the screen and public appeal for decades. Cooper was suited to his screen image of the strong silent type- for his roots were firmly grounded in the state that epitomizes the steadfast, self-reliant Westerner.

Gary Cooper was born in Helena Montana on May 7, 1901 as Frank James Cooper -one of two sons of British-born parents. His father, Charles H. Cooper was a lawyer and Montana Supreme Court justice from 1919-1924. Over the years the Coopers lived in three locations in Helena - all close to Charles' work in the area of Montana's Capitol. During the school year young "Frank" received his public education in Helena, but he spent much time at the Cooper's ranch north of town. The Seven-Bar-Nine Ranch near Craig, Montana was his haven - where he learned to ride, do ranch work, and form a natural bond with the Western landscape. In addition he gained experience with another part of the Western landscape - as a gear jammer (tour driver) for four summers in Yellowstone National Park.

Cooper's early career goal was to be an artist - particularly an illustrator. Though in 1924 he published political cartoons in Helena's daily newspaper, The Independent Record, this line of work didn't work out for him. Looking for work in Los Angeles the following year, Cooper began playing cowboy extras in Westerns after friends introduced him to some casting directors. He played bit parts in twelve films during his first two years in California - nearly all in the Western genre. Frank changed his first name to Gary during this time as a result of a suggestion by his agent who hailed from Gary, Indiana.

His big break came in 1926 when Gary Cooper landed a significant part in "The Winning of Barbara Worth" starring Ronald Coleman. Cooper's on-film presence - tall, handsome and shy - had an immediate appeal to the movie-going public. This was the beginning of his long and award-winning career. Another early hit was his 1929 appearance in "The Virginian," the screen adaptation of Owen Wister's classic Western written in 1901 - the year of Cooper's birth. By the 1930s Cooper was Hollywood's top box office star - earning him both wealth and fame during the dark years of the Great Depression. His roles as a solid, common man who persevered sat well with the movie-going public at this time. Cooper was matched with popular leading ladies throughout his career- stars such as Helen Hayes, Marlene Dietrich, Patricia Neal, and Grace Kelly shared the screen with him. Cooper won two Academy Awards as best actor for "Sergeant York" (1941) and "High Noon" (1952). He also starred in the film version of Montanan Dorothy Johnson's novel, "The Hanging Tree" in 1959. From stunt man to leading man - Cooper portrayed the quintessential American hero. His image as an honest, courageous man survives in his films; many of Cooper's most memorable movie roles epitomize his own Western heritage.

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