William Cooper was an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1953. He grew up in the nearby city of Pasadena, where he attended school and studied film at California State University, Northridge.
Cooper's career began in the early 1970s, when he worked as an assistant director for television shows such as "Room 222" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show". In the mid-1970s he moved into the feature film world, directing the comedy "The Last Remake of Beau Geste" (1977). The film was a commercial and critical success, and it established Cooper as a serious director.
In the 1980s, Cooper directed the romantic comedy "A Little Romance" (1982), the science fiction film "Brainstorm" (1983), the Western "Silverado" (1985), and the drama "The Color Purple" (1985). He also wrote the screenplay for "Silverado."
In the 1990s, Cooper directed "The War of the Roses" (1989), "Dave" (1993), and "American History X" (1998). He also wrote the screenplay for the latter two films. His last feature film was "Tuck Everlasting" (2002).
Throughout his career, Cooper was known for his visual style and his ability to bring out the best in his actors. He was especially adept at creating strong female characters and exploring complex relationships. He also worked with a variety of genres, from Westerns to romantic comedies to science fiction.
William Cooper passed away in 2020, but his legacy will live on in the films he directed. His work will continue to entertain and inspire audiences for generations to come.