Ralph Cooper
Ralph Cooper | |
|---|---|
Cooper in The Duke Is Tops, 1938 | |
| Born | January 16, 1908 Harlem, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | August 4, 1992 (aged 84) New York City, U.S. |
| Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names |
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| Education | New York University (attended) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1927–1992 |
| Known for | Founder of the Apollo Theater's Amateur Night (1935) |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth (Betti Mays) Cooper
(m. 1945) |
| Children | 2 |
Ralph Cooper (January 16, 1908 – August 4, 1992), was an American actor, screenwriter, dancer and choreographer. Cooper is best known as the original master of ceremonies and founder of amateur night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City, in 1935. He wrote, produced, directed and acted in ten motion pictures. Titles include The Duke Is Tops, Dark Manhattan, Gangsters on the Loose and Gang War. Because of his debonair good looks, he was known as "dark Gable" in the 1930s.