Actor-Director Jackie Cooper Dies at 88

Jackie Cooper, most known for his role as The Daily Planet editor in the Christopher Reeves' 'Superman' movies, died Tuesday at a nursing facility in Santa Monica, the Associated Press reports. The cause of death was old age. He was 88.

Cooper made history in 1931 when was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film 'Skippy' at age 9. He still is the youngest person to be nominated for Best Actor.

"He was a fascinating guy who really did everything, from all different aspects of the business," his other son, Russell Cooper, said. "You can't really say that about many people."

"He was a lovely man and I will miss him," his agent Ronnie Lief told PEOPLE.

Cooper also found success in Hollywood as an adult--starring in several films and making guest appearances on many TV series including 'Murder, She Wrote' and 'St. Elsewhere.' But he really found was happiest as a director. Over the course of his career, Cooper directed more than 250 half-hour and hour-long series episodes, 16 two-hour movies and several pilots and commercials.

"I think it's tough to direct and star in a feature," Cooper commented in a 1971 interview. "Either the direction or the performance will suffer. But an actor can direct himself in television. I found it essential to relieve the crushing boredom of starring in a series."

Cooper is survived by his two sons.

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