(May 07, 1901 - May 13, 1961) Gary Cooper was an American film actor, whose career spanned from the 1920s up until the year of his death. He was renowned for his quiet, understated acting style and his stoic, individualistic, emotionally restrained, but at times intense screen persona, which was particularly well suited for the many Westerns he made. During career, Cooper received five Academy Award nominations for Best Actor, winning twice.