Gary Cooper

GARY COOPER d1961. American actor renowned for his quiet understated acting style. His stoic, but at times intense screen persona was particularly well suited to the many Western films he made during the 1940-50s. His extensive career comprised of over 100 films including ; "For Whom The Bell Tolls" (1943) / "Garden Of Evil" (1954) / "Vera Cruz" (1954) / "Friendly Persuasion" (1956) / "Man Of The West" (1958) and spanned between 1925 and shortly before his death. He received five Academy Award nominations for best actor ; winning twice for "Sergeant York" (1941) and the classic "High Noon" (1952).  Gary Cooper was producer David O Selznicks first choice for the role of Rhett Butler in his 1939 film Gone With The Wind ; he turned down the role as he was passionately against it. He is quoted as saying, "Gone With The Wind is going to be the biggest flop in Hollywood history. I’m glad it’ll be Clark Gable who’s falling flat on his nose, not me ....". He died of cancer aged 60 in 1961.