Chris Cooper Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Parents, Height, Movies & Awards

Christopher Walton Cooper also known as Chris Cooper is a prominent American character actor known for his rugged, understated performances in supporting and leading roles across film and television.

He won an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor as orchid enthusiast John Laroche in Adaptation. (2002), and has delivered memorable turns in films like American Beauty, Seabiscuit, Capote, Breach, and August: Osage County, often portraying complex authority figures, military men, or moral anchors.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Christopher Walton Cooper
• Stage Name: Chris Cooper
• Born: July 9, 1951
• Age: 74 years old
• Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri, United States
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Occupation: Actor
• Height: 178 cm
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Charles Sherwood Cooper and Mary Ann Walton Cooper
• Siblings: Chuck Cooper
• Spouse: Marianne Leone
• Children: One
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $6 million USD

Early Life and Education

Chris Cooper was born on July 9, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. He was brought up by his parents, Charles Sherwood Cooper, a United States Air Force doctor and cattleman, and Mary Ann Walton Cooper, a homemaker, in the suburbs of Kansas City. Both parents were originally from Texas.

He grew up with one older brother, Chuck Cooper. Summers were spent at the family’s cattle ranch near Leavenworth, Kansas.

He attended high school where he initially helped with theater set construction rather than acting due to shyness. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve during the Vietnam War era. He attended the University of Missouri, initially majoring in set design before shifting to theater and agriculture, graduating with a Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) in 1976. His ethnicity is Caucasian, and his religion is unknown.

Career

Chris Cooper began his career in theater, appearing on Broadway in Of the Fields, Lately (1980) and off-Broadway productions. He made his film debut in John Sayles‘ Matewan (1987) as a union organizer. He gained notice in miniseries Lonesome Dove (1989) as Sheriff July Johnson.

Breakthrough roles included American Beauty (1999) as a repressed Marine, Lone Star (1996), and October Sky (1999). His Oscar-winning performance came in Adaptation. (2002).

Other notable films include The Bourne Identity (2002) as a CIA handler, Seabiscuit (2003), Capote (2005), Breach (2007) as Robert Hanssen, The Town (2010), August: Osage County (2013), A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019), Little Women (2019), and Cars 3 (voice, 2017). He has appeared in television like The Company You Keep and various guest roles. Known for collaborations with directors like John Sayles and Spike Jonze, he continues acting in independent and major projects.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Adaptation., 2003)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (Adaptation., 2003)
• Screen Actors Guild Award
• BAFTA Award nomination
• Primetime Emmy Award nomination
• Independent Spirit Award nomination
• Satellite Award nominations (multiple)

Social Media

• Chris Cooper does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Chris Cooper is 74 years old and his height is 178 cm. He is married to actress, screenwriter, and producer Marianne Leone since July 8, 1983, after meeting in an acting class in New York City in 1979.

They have one child, son Jesse Lanier Cooper (born 1987 prematurely), who had cerebral palsy and died suddenly on January 3, 2005, at age 17 from epilepsy-related causes.

The couple established the Jesse Cooper Foundation in his memory to support children with special needs. No past relationships are publicly known. They reside in Massachusetts and maintain a private life focused on advocacy for disability programs and family.

Net Worth

Chris Cooper‘s net worth is estimated at $6 million USD. His income primarily comes from acting roles in major films such as Adaptation., American Beauty, The Bourne Identity, Seabiscuit, Capote, Breach, The Town, August: Osage County, and Little Women; television appearances and miniseries like Lonesome Dove; residuals and royalties from streaming platforms and classic films; voice work in projects like Cars 3; and occasional producing or directing contributions across his long career.

Filmography

• Matewan (Film, 1987)
• Lonesome Dove (TV Miniseries, July Johnson, 1989)
• American Beauty (Film, 1999)
• October Sky (Film, 1999)
• Adaptation. (Film, John Laroche, 2002)
• The Bourne Identity (Film, 2002)
• Seabiscuit (Film, 2003)
• Capote (Film, 2005)
• Breach (Film, Robert Hanssen, 2007)
• The Town (Film, 2010)
• August: Osage County (Film, 2013)
• A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (Film, 2019)
• Little Women (Film, 2019)
• Cars 3 (Film, Voice, 2017)