Chris Cooper was born 9 July 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri. He made his film debut in John Sayle's "Matewan" (1987), and went on to star in the director's "City of Hope" (1991) and "Lone Star" (1996). He has also starred in "October Sky" (1999) and "American Beauty" (1999). He is married to screenwriter Marianne Leone.