Ralph Cooper

For other people named Ralph Cooper, see Ralph Cooper (disambiguation).
Ralph Cooper
Cooper in The Duke Is Tops, 1938
Born(1908-01-16)January 16, 1908
Harlem, New York City, U.S.
DiedAugust 4, 1992(1992-08-04) (aged 84)
New York City, U.S.
Resting placeWoodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York
NationalityAmerican
Other names
  • The Dark Gable
  • Bronze Bogart
EducationNew York University (attended)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • dancer
  • screenwriter
  • emcee
  • choreographer
Years active1927–1992
Known forFounder of the Apollo Theater's Amateur Night (1935)
Spouse
Elizabeth (Betti Mays) Cooper
​
​
(m. 1945)​
Children2

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.[1][2]

  1. ^ Strange, Mike (6 September 2016). "Exclusive Interview with Producer and Apollo Theatre Icon Ralph Cooper". The Elegant Classy Gentlemen.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference obit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).