Jackie Coogan, a name reverberating through the annals of Hollywood’s golden era, was more than just a star. He was a pioneer. Many may recognize him as the original Uncle Fester from the 1960s sitcom The Adams Family. But his legacy extends far beyond this role. From his modest beginnings, he soared to global fame with his performance in Charlie Chaplin‘s 1921 movie The Kid. He was not just an American actor and comedian but also the first child star in Hollywood’s history.
His impact, however, was not limited to the silver screen. In a groundbreaking move, he became the first child to sue his mother and stepfather, introducing the first known legal protection for the earnings of a child actor, the California Child Actor’s Bill. This article delves into Jackie Coogan’s life, age, early life, career, net worth, death, personal life, and more.
Unknown Facts About Jackie Coogan
- Jackie enlisted in the Army in March 1941.
- He was a friend of kidnapping/murder victim Brooke Hart.
- He is the grandfather of actor Keith Coogan.
- He retired from acting in 1980 with his last film, appearance in “The Escape Artist.”
- He earned $1 million per year, a contract he signed with Metro.
- In March 1944, he served in the China-Burma-India Theater as the pilot of a CG-4A Waco.
Early Life and Education
John Leslie Coogan was born to John Henry Coogan Jr. and Lillian Rita Coogan in Los Angeles, California, United States, on October 26, 1914. According to his birthday, he was born under the Scorpio astrological sign. He is of white ancestry, was raised Catholic, and was an American national. At age 10, Jackie enrolled at Urban Military Academy and later went to other preparatory schools. After graduating high school, Jackie attended several colleges and the University of Southern California. Because of poor grades, Jackie dropped out of Santa Clara University in 1932.
Quick Wikipedia
| Quick Biography | Answers |
| Birthday | October 26, 1914 |
| Full Name | John Leslie Coogan |
| Hometown | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Lived In | N/A |
| Net Worth | N/A |
| Horoscope/Birth Sign | Scorpio |
| Age (death) | 69 years old |
| Stage Name | Jackie Coogan |
| Profession | Actor and Comedian |
| Father’s Name | N/A |
| Mother’s Name | N/A |
| Number of Children | 4 |
| Children’s Name | Christopher Fenton Coogan, Leslie Diane Coogan, John Anthony Coogan, Joann Dolliver Coogan |
| Spouse | N/A |
| Boyfriend | N/A |
| Birth Year | 1914 |
| Trivia | Jackie Coogan was a renowned American actor and comedian who started his film career as a child actor in silent films. He sued his mother for squandering his career earnings. |
| Facebook Handle | N/A |
| YouTube Handle | N/A |
| Twitter/X Handle | N/A |
| Instagram Handle | N/A |
| Snapchat Handle | N/A |
| Height | N/A |
| Body Measurements | N/A |
| Feet/Shoe Size | N/A |
| Color of Eye | Brown |
| Movies Starred | Peter Gunn, College Swing, Skinner’s Baby, A Day’s Pleasure, The Kid (1921) |
| References | Wikipedia and IMBD |
Career
Early Career
Jackie Coogan embarked on his acting journey as an infant, captivating audiences in vaudeville and film. His unique skills, showcased in the 1917 film Skinner’s Baby title role, caught the attention of none other than Charlie Chaplin. It was during a performance of the shimmy at the Orpheum Theatre that Chaplin discovered this young prodigy. In 1919, Jackie played a minor role in A Day’s Pleasure, setting the stage for his future success. The following year, he portrayed the abandoned child raised by Chaplin’s iconic Tramp character in the silent comedy-drama The Kid (1921). His talent continued to shine in 1922 when he played the title role in Oliver Twist, directed by Frank Llyod. Coogan’s early success was further amplified by being one of the first stars to be heavily merchandised.
Later Career
As an adult, in 1938, Jackie Coogan starred with his then-wife Betty Grable in College Swing, a musical comedy that starred George Burns, Gracie Allen, Martha Raye, and Bob Hope. In 1965, he played a police officer in the Elvis Presley comedy Girl Happy. Venturing into radio, Jakie portrayed a playboy Broadway producer” in the Society Girl program on CBS radio.
From April 29 to July 22, 1946, he starred in his program, Forever Ernest, on CBS. From 1952 to 1953, Jackie portrays Stoney Crockett on the syndicated series Cowboy G-Men. In 1959, he guest-starred in a first-season episode of Peter Gunn, appeared on NBC’s The Martha Raye Show, and played Corbett in two episodes of NBC’s 1960 series The Outlaws.
Jackie also made several guest star appearances in films like The Red Skelton Show, The Brady Bunch, The Brothers Brannagan, Family Affair, Here’s Lucy, I Dream of Jeannie, The Americans, The Brian Keith Show, and “Barney on the Rebound” of The Andy Griffith Show. Climbing to fame, Jackie became famous for his role in ABC’s TV series The Addams Family (1964–1966), where he played Uncle Fester.
World War II
In March 1941, Jackie enlisted in the U.S. Army. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he requested a transfer to the Army Air Forces as a glider pilot because of his civilian flying experience. In December 1943, the regiment was deployed to India. On March 5, 1944, he flew British troops, the Chindits, under General Orde Wingate, landing them at night in a jungle clearing 100 miles (160 km) behind Japanese lines during the Burma Campaign.
Net Worth
How rich was Jackie Coogan? Jackie Coogan earned massive wealth from his successful acting career, but unfortunately, his mother and stepfather squandered all his career earnings. According to sources and information gathered, Jackie was worth $70 million as a child actor. As an actor, he secured several high-paying contracts, like a d $500,000 ($7 million today) contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer at 15. Shockingly, Jackie’s whole career earning was squandered by his parents before he turned 21 to take over his wealth; as then child law states, “A child can only take ctrol of his fortuen when he 21.”
He was surprised to see his mother and stepfather spend his entire career earnings on purchasing extravagant clothing, jewelry, expensive cars, diamonds, mansions, and more. His mother told the press, “Jackie never received any assurances that she would receive anything. Every dollar a child makes before to turning 21 belongs to his parents. Jackie won’t receive a single penny of his earnings because the law is on our side.” After agonizing over what to do, Jackie made the bold and heartbreaking move to sue his mother, which changed the child actors’ laws forever. Though the lawsuit was successful, Jackie was ultimately left with a meager $35,000.
Personal Life
Jackie Coogan was four times married and had four children. He was first married on November 20, 1937, to Betty Grable. Unfortunately for them, they divorced on October 11, 1939. He became married to Flower Parry on August 10, 1939, and together, they welcomed a son, John Anthony Coogan, a writer/producer of 3D digital and film. The couple split up on June 29, 1943. He remarried Ann McCormack on December 26, 1946, and they welcomed a daughter, Joann Dolliver Coogan. Again, the two lovebirds split up on September 20, 1951.
Jackie’s final and last wife was Dorothea Odetta Hanson, aka Dorothea Lamphere, a dancer. They tied the knot in April 1952 and lived until Jackie died in 1984. The couple had two children: daughter Leslie Diane Coogan and son Christopher Fenton Coogan. Their son Christopher died in a motorcycle accident in Palm Springs, California, in 1990. Jackie Coogan is the grandfather of actor Keith Coogan.
Illness and Death
Jackie Coogan has a history of heart problems, hypertension, and many strokes. His blood pressure dropped while undergoing kidney dialysis. He died of heart arrest after being brought to Santa Monica Hospital. After years of battling heart and kidney ailments, Jackie died of heart failure on March 1, 1984, in Santa Monica, California. He died at the age of 69.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How old is Jackie Coogan at the time of his death?
Ans: He died at the age of 69.
Q. Why was Jackie not allowed to have access to his career earnings?
Ans: He has been restricted from his career since then, and the law of child actors allows children to access their wealth when they are 21.
Q. Did Jackie Coogan sue his mother?
Ans: Jackie boldly sued his mother, which changed the child actor law forever.
Q. How long was Jackie married to Betty Grable?
Ans: The couple had only been together for three years.
Q. Is Jackie the grandfather of actor Keith Coogan?
Ans: He is Keith Coogan’s grandfather since he is Leslie Coogan’s father.
