Picture this: just ten minutes before the final bell rang at Marymount High School, Maria Cooper Janis would stealthily navigate through the bushes separating her school from the Bel-Air Golf Club. It was her secret shortcut to join her legendary father, Gary Cooper, and her mother, Veronica "Rocky" Balfe, for some quality family time.
“We were always in sync,” Maria reminisces with Closer, her voice warm with fondness. “I’d meet my parents on the fourth or fifth hole, and we’d stroll together, sharing laughter and hitting a few golf balls. Those moments were pure magic.”
In the glitzy world of Hollywood, where the personal lives of actors often fall short of their on-screen personas, Gary Cooper stood out as an authentic individual. A true gentleman, he was the star of timeless classics like Sergeant York, The Pride of the Yankees, and High Noon. “He was a decent, kind, honest, and loyal man who treated women with the utmost respect,” Maria shares, her eyes sparkling with admiration. “I have nothing but the most beautiful memories of growing up with him.”
Read also:Willie Nelson At 92 Still Touring Making Music And Inspiring Fans
A Family That Stuck Together
Maria, the cherished only child of Gary and Rocky’s 28-year marriage, was never far from her parents. “It was always the three Coopers,” she recalls with a gentle smile. “Even when it came to tennis lessons, we were all in it together. My parents took lessons alongside me, and we’d all play as a family. Those were the days!”
Weekends Full of Adventure
Weekends were a whirlwind of excitement, thanks to Rocky’s adventurous spirit. “She was the mastermind behind all our escapades,” Maria chuckles. “Whether it was a refreshing swim at the beach or a thrilling fishing expedition, she always had something fun planned.” Gary, who spent part of his childhood in Montana, had a deep love for nature, which he passed on to his daughter.
Evenings Filled with Laughter and Friendship
As the sun set, Gary and Rocky transformed their home into a haven of entertainment. “Jimmy Stewart was one of Dad’s closest friends. Bing Crosby was also a great buddy, and Ingrid Bergman and Audrey Hepburn became family,” Maria recalls. But don’t think just anyone could crash their parties. “Dad didn’t care for ego-driven people. He found self-absorbed individuals utterly boring,” she adds with a knowing smile.
Of course, Gary wasn’t without his flaws. This blue-eyed charmer had numerous affairs during his marriage, even leaving home for a five-year affair with Patricia Neal, his co-star in The Fountainhead. But when he walked out, Rocky didn’t throw a tantrum. “She didn’t become one of those outraged, screaming wives,” Maria notes. Instead, she built her own life. Eventually, they reconciled, and the trio sailed off to Europe in 1953 to promote High Noon. “They never stopped loving each other,” Maria insists.
A Legacy of Faith and Humor
In his later years, Gary embraced Catholicism, Rocky’s faith, finding solace in his home. He even lived long enough to receive a third Oscar for lifetime achievement, which Jimmy Stewart accepted on his behalf before Gary’s passing in 1961. “I miss having him around,” Maria admits. “He had an incredible sense of humor and loved having a good time. But I can still feel his spirit guiding me.”
— Reporting by Katie Bruno
Read also:Rachel Bay Jones Opens Up About Playing Audrey In Georgie Amp Mandyrsquos First Marriage
For more on this touching story, grab the latest issue of Closer magazine, available now at newsstands.
