Godspeeed Ben Cooper

Ben Cooper, who had recurring roles in the TV shows The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo and The Fall Guy, as well as appeared in numerous Western TV shows and movies, died on February 24 2020 at the age of 86.

Ben Cooper was born on September 30 1933 in Hartford, Connecticut. His acting career began when he was only 9 years old when he appeared on Broadway in the play Life with Father. He made his television debut in 1950 in an episode of Inside Detective. That same year he appeared in an episode of Suspense. In the Fifties he guest starred on such shows as Fireside Theatre, Armstrong Circle Theatre, Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, Matinee Theatre, The Millionaire, Playhouse 90, One Step Beyond, Tales of Wells Fargo, Wichita Town, Johnny Ringo, Wagon Train, Zane Grey Theatre, Stagecoach West, and The Westerner. He made his movie debut in an uncredited bit part in the movie Side Street in 1952.In the Fifties he appeared in such movies as Thunderbirds (1952), Woman They Almost Lynched (1953), A Perilous Journey (1953), Flight Nurse (1953), Johnny Guitar (1954), Hell's Outpost (1954), The Last Command (1955), The Rose Tattoo (1955), Rebel in Town (1956), Duel at Apache Wells (1957), and Outlaw's Son (1957).  Ben Cooper also had a career in Old Time Radio, appearing in over 3000 radio shows. He had a regular role on the radio show Mark Trail and also appeared on such radio shows as The Eternal Light, Horizons West, and American Gallery.

In the Sixties Ben Cooper appeared frequently on the Western TV shows of the era, making guest appearances on the shows The Rifleman, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Laramie, Rawhide, Death Valley Days, and The Virginian. He also appeared on other sorts of shows during the decade, including Perry Mason (on which he appeared four times), The Twilight Zone, Adventures in Paradise, Window on Main Street, The Littlest Hobo, Kraft Suspense Theatre, Combat!, The Time Tunnel, Premiere, The Outside, It Takes a Thief, Marcus Welby M.D., Adam-12, and Mannix. He appeared in the movies Gunfight at Comanche Creek (1963), The Raiders (1963), Arizona Raiders (1965), Waco (1966), Red Tomahawk (1967), and The Fastest Guitar Alive (1967).

In the Seventies Mr. Cooper had a regular role on the TV series The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo. He guest starred on the shows Funny Face, Room 222, Kung Fu, Lucas Tanner, The Wonderful World of Disney, and B.J. and the Bear. He appeared in the movies Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971), One More Train to Rob (1971), and The Sky's the Limit (1975).

In the Eighties Ben Cooper had a recurring role on The Fall Guy. He guest starred on Who's the Boss, Dallas, 1st & Ten, Knot's Landing, and L.A. Law. In the Nineties he guest starred on the TV show Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. He appeared in the movie Lightning Jack (1994).

Ben Cooper seemed as if he was born to play a cowboy. He had ridden horses as a child and was certainly comfortable on a horse. It is little wonder that he appeared on so many Western TV shows and in so many Western movies. Of course, he could play other roles and, although he was best known for his appearances in Westerns, he appeared in a variety of TV shows. He played murderers on Perry Mason, an Army corporal on Combat!, and a police officer on Adam-12. Ben Cooper was equally adept at playing heroes and villains, and he always gave a good performance.