William C. Cooper
Actor
About William C. Cooper
William C. Cooper was an American actor who worked primarily during the silent film era of the 1910s and 1920s. His most notable appearance was in the 1917 adaptation of H. Rider Haggard's classic adventure novel 'She,' directed by Kenean Buel for Fox Film Corporation. Cooper played a supporting role in this early fantasy adventure film, which was one of several cinematic adaptations of the popular Victorian novel. Like many actors of his era, Cooper's career spanned the transitional period when cinema was evolving from short subjects to feature-length productions. His filmography appears to be limited, with most of his work concentrated in the mid-1910s, a time when the American film industry was rapidly expanding and establishing itself in Hollywood. Details about his later career and life after the silent era remain scarce, which was common for many supporting actors of that period who did not successfully transition to sound films.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in the 1917 film adaptation of 'She'
- Worked during the golden age of silent cinema
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
As a supporting actor during the silent era, William C. Cooper contributed to the early development of American cinema during its formative years. His participation in adaptations of classic literary works like 'She' helped establish the tradition of bringing popular novels to the silver screen, a practice that would become fundamental to Hollywood's success. While his individual impact may have been modest, actors like Cooper formed the backbone of the film industry, providing the necessary talent to populate the growing number of feature productions that defined the 1910s and 1920s.
Lasting Legacy
William C. Cooper represents the countless actors who worked during the silent era but whose names have faded from popular memory. His legacy is tied to the preservation of early cinema history and the recognition that film production was a collaborative effort involving many talented individuals beyond the stars who became household names. The 1917 version of 'She' in which he appeared stands as an important artifact of early fantasy filmmaking and adaptation literature.
Who They Inspired
As a supporting actor from the silent era, specific information about William C. Cooper's influence on other performers is not documented. However, actors of his generation collectively influenced the development of film acting techniques that would evolve and be refined by subsequent generations of performers.
Off Screen
Very limited information is available about William C. Cooper's personal life, which was typical for many supporting actors from the silent era whose lives were not extensively documented in film publications of the time.
Did You Know?
- Appeared in the 1917 adaptation of 'She', one of the earliest film versions of H. Rider Haggard's famous novel
- Worked for Fox Film Corporation during the studio's early years
- His career coincided with the transition from short films to feature-length productions
- Like many silent era actors, his career appears to have ended with the advent of sound
- The 1917 'She' was directed by Kenean Buel, a prolific director of the period
- His character name in 'She' is not widely documented in surviving film records
- The film he appeared in was part of a series of adaptations of 'She' that would span decades of cinema history
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was William C. Cooper?
William C. Cooper was an American actor who worked during the silent film era, best known for his appearance in the 1917 film adaptation of 'She.' He was a supporting actor during a pivotal time in American cinema history.
What films is William C. Cooper best known for?
William C. Cooper is primarily known for his role in the 1917 silent film 'She,' an adaptation of H. Rider Haggard's adventure novel. This appears to be his most documented and notable film appearance.
When was William C. Cooper active in films?
William C. Cooper was active during the 1910s and possibly into the 1920s, working primarily during the silent era of American cinema. His exact birth and death dates are not well documented.
What studio did William C. Cooper work for?
William C. Cooper worked for Fox Film Corporation, appearing in their 1917 production of 'She.' Fox was one of the major studios during the early days of Hollywood.
Why is so little known about William C. Cooper?
Limited information about William C. Cooper is typical for many supporting actors from the silent era, as film publications and documentation at the time focused primarily on stars and directors. Many records from this period have been lost or were never comprehensively maintained.
Films
1 film
