Gary Cooper was a big star of the silver screen. It was, however, his down-to-earth genuine persona that connected with audiences. While his name may bring about thoughts and images of the great American Western, his roles were quite diverse.
Gary Cooper’s Most Important Roles
Gary Cooper became known to audiences through varied roles starting prior to the 1930s. He is often remembered for his roles in films like High Noon and The Westerner. However, his career crossed many genres. Taking the lead in Frank Capra’s Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Cooper garnered praise from the critics. The 1941 film Sergeant York further established him as a reliable box office winner.
Missed Opportunity for an Iconic Role
Over the course of his career, Cooper played many iconic characters in a variety of genres. It is interesting to note, however, that he turned down one huge role. He was offered the role of Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind but did not feel he was right for the part. The actor later admitted that it was a great opportunity but praised Clark Gable’s performance and maintained that he had made the right call by turning it down. It’s this humble nature that, in part, made Gary Cooper a Hollywood treasure.
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