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Is Gary Cooper Catholic?
Gary Cooper, the iconic American actor of the early to mid 20th century, was widely known for his roles in such classic films as Sergeant York, High Noon, and The Pride of the Yankees. But what about his religious beliefs? Did Gary Cooper subscribe to the Catholic faith?
From what historians have been able to ascertain, although his parents were raised Presbyterian, Cooper was baptized as an Episcopalian, and maintained that faith for most of his life. He was baptized at St. William Catholic Church in Hollywood, California, in 1929, but this seems to have been done merely to make his parents happy.
Much of Cooper’s background and upbringing was heavily influenced by his father, who had him enroll in Los Angeles’ Annapolis Military Academy in 1921. The academy had a strong lean towards Protestantism, and the school’s spiritual leader, Reverend George Calvert Campbell, served as a major influence in Cooper’s spiritual upbringing. However, while most biographers and sources agree that Cooper was a Protestant, there is still some debate as to whether he was an Episcopalian or Presbyterian.
In terms of Cooper’s public persona, his religious views were rarely featured in interviews, and he was rarely seen at events having to do with religion. Nevertheless, he did have some association with the Catholic Church, at least professionally. In 1938, he was invited to join the National Catholic Welfare Conference’s Motion Picture division, which sought to promote a more wholesome view of the Catholic faith in Hollywood films.
Cooper also went on to work with some of Hollywood’s most prominent Catholic directors, including Frank Capra, Leo McCarey, and William Wyler. However, while his collaborations with these filmmakers may have been inspired by business interests, they may have also had more to do with Cooper’s religious upbringing.
In the end, Gary Cooper was never formally affiliated with any particular religion. He was baptized Episcopalian, but also had close ties to the Presbyterian faith. He was also associated with the Catholic Church in a professional capacity, and his early life was influenced by the Protestantism of his father. While it is possible that he was personally sympathetic to the Catholic faith, there is no clear evidence that Gary Cooper was ever a practicing Catholic.
