A self-described “lyrical baritone with a great range and ability for a lot of different styles,” Cooper, BFA ’76, seized the Tony for his role of a pimp named Memphis in “The Life.” The Broadway musical about the sordid 1980s on Times Square was nominated for 12 Tony awards. Cooper’s co-star, Lillias White, who played a prostitute named Sonja, won the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
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| Felicia Finley and Tony Award-winner Chuck Cooper, BFA '76, in "The Life." Photo: Carol Rosegg |
“I tell my children, ‘I’m almost famous,’” Cooper says, chuckling. “Their presence in my life has broadened me as a person and as an actor. I learn so much watching them discover the world anew.”
With his oldest son studying at LaGuardia Performing Arts High School and approaching college age, Cooper is reminded of himself 25 years ago. That’s when he arrived on the Athens campus with the ambition of becoming a disc jockey. Although his only stage experience consisted of time in a youth choir, Cooper, now 44, was encouraged to join the School of Theater by a faculty member he met at registration.
One of five or six students accepted e ach year into Ohio University’s professional actor training program, Cooper is remembered as a talented, genuine and warm individual by his college instructors. Theater Professor Denny Dalen, his former acting coach, watched on television as Cooper accepted the Tony Award.
“His reaction was typical Chuck Cooper — very grateful and enthusiastic,” Dalen says. “I was pleased he still has that childlike spark, which is very important for an actor to retain.”
Once an unemployed actor struggling to survive, Cooper says it’s nice to finally know the sacrifices he, his former wife Tisa Baehner, BFA ’75, and his children made were worth it.
Beyond influencing his own children’s dramatic inclinations, Cooper has reached guru status among other aspiring performers. “Young actors are asking me how to succeed in the business and, it’s funny, I have nothing to tell them except, ‘Work hard, don’t give up,’” he says.
Despite all the transforming roles in Cooper’s life, he knows one thing for cert ain.
“I’m in the club now. I’m a player now,” he says with a soft laugh. “I have a little statue that tells me so.”
Clare Warmke, BSJ ’98, is a student writer in the University News Services and Periodicals.
