Jackie Coogan
(1914–84)
Other names: John Leslie Coogan
Biographical
Jackie Coogan gained international recognition during the silent-film
era as the first prominent child star in Hollywood, remembered especially
for his portrayal of a melancholy child in early 1920s cinema. Born
to parents active in vaudeville and theatre, Coogan’s introduction
to the screen came at just 18 months old in Skinner’s Baby
(1916). He was later discovered
by Charlie Chaplin, who cast him at age six in The Kid that
brought him immediate fame and led to a string of roles throughout
the 1920s and early 1930s. By 1923–24, Coogan was earning $22,000
a week and receiving 60 percent of the profits from his work. Tragedy
struck in 1935 when he survived a car accident that killed his father
and three others. A legal battle followed in 1938, when Coogan sued
his mother and stepfather—his former manager—after discovering
that his substantial earnings had been depleted. The case led to the
passing of the Child Actors Bill, commonly known as the 'Coogan Law',
which granted young performers legal protection over their earnings
and required court oversight of their contracts. During the Second
World War, Coogan served in the U.S. Army Air Force. In the later
stages of his career, he transitioned into character roles in both
film and television, including his celebrated role as Uncle Fester
in the 1964–66 television comedy, The Addams Family.
Place of birth: Los Angeles, California
Place of third marriage: North Hollywood
Place of fourth marriage: Mexico City
Place of death: Santa Monica, California
Son of John Henry Coogan and Lillian Dolliver, he was married firstly
to Betty Grable in 1937 (divorced 1939), secondly to Flower Parry
in 1941 (with issue; divorced 1943), thirdly to Ann McCormack in 1945
(with issue;
divorced 1951
),
and fourthly to Dorothea Lamphere in 1952 (with issue).
