Let me tell you about a man who wasn’t just a star on the silver screen but a devoted father and a gentle soul in real life. Gary Cooper, a two-time Oscar winner, was one of the most celebrated actors of his time. He shared the spotlight with luminaries like Audrey Hepburn and counted icons such as Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway among his friends. But beneath all the glitz and glamour, Gary was a protective dad who cared deeply for his daughter, Maria Cooper Janis. In an exclusive chat with Closer at a screening of her father's iconic film, High Noon, Maria revealed that her dad taught her boxing. "He said, ‘Look, not every man is going to be a gentleman, and you’re going to be an attractive woman. Let me give you a few pointers.’ He taught me the graceful art of self-defense!" she shared with a smile.
The Reluctant Hero: Gary Cooper’s On-Screen Persona
Now, when you think about Gary Cooper, you think about those reluctant heroes who carried the weight of the world on their shoulders with quiet dignity. That was Gary’s signature. Whether it was his first talking role as a good-natured cowboy in The Virginian or his unforgettable portrayal of the dying ballplayer Lou Gehrig in The Pride of the Yankees, Gary brought a depth to his characters that resonated with audiences. His ability to convey emotions subtly came from his keen observation of the natural world and human nature. As Maria puts it, "He was very nonjudgmental, and he would try to understand where a person was coming from." That’s what made him such a compelling actor. He wasn’t just playing roles; he was living them.
A Family Man at Heart
As the only child of Gary and his wife Veronica “Rocky” Balfe, Maria was the apple of her father’s eye. She spent countless hours on movie sets, witnessing a side of her dad that few others ever saw. "We had a hell of a lot of fun as a family," Maria fondly recalls. Growing up in Helena, Montana, Gary wasn’t just a movie star; he was a real cowboy. His father was a rancher and a state supreme court judge, so Gary’s early life was steeped in the rugged, outdoor lifestyle of the American West. But there was more to him than just cowboy boots and ten-gallon hats. Gary was an artist at heart, and he passed on his love for art to his daughter. "He loved nature, and he was observant," Maria explains. "He observed animals, how they moved, and then he would translate that into sketches. He showed me how a bird’s wing worked." It’s these little moments that paint a picture of a man who was not only a great actor but also a great teacher.
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Lessons Learned: A Father’s Wisdom
While Gary wasn’t one for doling out advice, Maria learned some valuable life lessons from him. One of the toughest times in her life was when her parents went through a three-year separation due to her father’s wandering eye. He’d had affairs with costars like Ingrid Bergman and Patricia Neal, which caused a rift in their otherwise peaceful home life. Despite this, Maria says, "I never heard them fight." When her parents reconciled, Gary gave her some advice that stuck with her. "He would say, ‘Don’t do as I do, do as I say.’" It’s a simple yet profound lesson about integrity and doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.
The family remained close, sharing hobbies like scuba diving. Maria recalls a time when her dad got frustrated with himself while filming The Wreck of the Mary Deare in 1959. "He was furious with himself because he was breathing a one-hour tank of air in 30 minutes—really hyperventilating," she says. "It annoyed him that he was nervous!" But despite his occasional frustrations, Gary was always mindful of his family’s feelings. "He preferred to keep the acting part of his life separate," Maria explains. "He would never drag the mood home and go stomping around the house." Instead, he focused on teaching his daughter how to respect her work and the people around her.
Portraying the Best a Man Can Be
Gary Cooper’s films continue to resonate with audiences today because his characters often mirrored who he was in real life—strong, upstanding, and respectful of others' strengths and weaknesses. As Maria tells Closer, when he was once asked how he chose his roles, he simply said, "I want to try to portray the best a man can be." That statement sums up Gary’s approach to life and art. For more insights into this legendary actor, visit garycooper.com.
