Jackie Cooper

Born Sept. 15, 1922, in Los Angeles, Jackie Cooper rose to fame as one of the most popular young talents of early Hollywood, making history as the first child star to be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar, for his tearful performance in Skippy (1931).

High-profile parts followed in The Champ (1931), The Bowery (1933) and Treasure Island (1934), but the adolescent actor eventually grew too old to be considered "cute." Finding film roles scarce after World War II, Cooper turned to stage and television and eventually worked as an executive for Columbia Pictures, where he was responsible for packaging the series "Bewitched," among other projects.

Cooper also found success as a director, earning an Emmy in 1974 for his work on "M*A*S*H." But he continued to act well into his 50s and 60s, most notably as Daily Planet editor Perry White in four Superman films (1978-87). Cooper passed away May 3, 2011.

Superman: The Movie

1978 PG

Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane, who's in love with Superman. Clark must summon his superhero alter ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over the world.