Former child actor Jackie Cooper dies at 88

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Jackie Cooper, whose tousled blond hair, pouty lower lip and ability to cry on camera helped make him one of the top child stars of the 1930s in films including ‘Skippy’ and ‘The Champ,’ died Tuesday, his agent Ron Leif confirmed.

Cooper grew up to become a successful TV star in the 1950s, a top television studio executive in the ‘60s and an Emmy Award-winning director in the ‘70s. He was 88.

A former ‘Our Gang’ cast member who began his Hollywood career as an extra in silent movies at age 3, Cooper shot to stardom at 8 playing the title role in ‘Skippy,’ the 1931 film based on a popular comic strip about a health inspector’s son and his ragamuffin pal, Sooky.

The film, in which Cooper had three signature crying scenes, earned him an Academy Award nomination for best actor in a leading role. Lionel Barrymore won the Oscar that year.

Read the complete Jackie Cooper obituary here.

-- Dennis McLellan

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