Videos. Young Clay caught the roping fever. John Wayne thought Clay OBrien Cooper was too small to play one of The Cowboysuntil the pint-sized nine-year-old lassoed and dumped him on the set. Trudy Coulter 1 episode, 1975 Clay O'Brien . Team Roping: 1990 (tie), 1992 (tie), West of the Pecos / Pecos, TX Andersen reluctantly tests their ability to stay on a bucking horse, and as they successively take turns, Cimarron, a boy slightly older than the others, rides up. Career Highlights Cooper and Barnes jointly set the team roping aggregate record at the National Finals Rodeo of 59.1 seconds on 10 head, en route to the world title in 1994. Cooper was the Turquoise Circuit all around champion in 1985-87, 1991 and 1993 and the circuits team roping champion in 1983-84. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Georgia star defensive tackle Jalen Carter left the NFL scouting combine after an arrest warrant was issued for him in connection with his role in a deadly car crash. Youd pinch yourself and wonder if its really you and its really happening. All-Round: 1988 The rest comes from the rsum, which is like few others. There were fifteen kids involved, all who knew each other from Junior Rodeo, with several chosen for acting roles. Born Clay O'Brien Cooper on May 6, 1961, and best-known as the pint- sized "Hardy Fimps" in the western coming-of-age film, The Cowboys (1972); Clay O'Brien became a favorite with John Wayne, who appreciated a real cowboy when he met one. It seems like my life has been a fairy tale the whole way along, he said. Team Roping: 1981, 1983, 1988, Cheyenne Frontier Days / Cheyenne, WY Robert Carradine made his feature film debut in the film, as did fellow child actor Stephen Hudis. Andersen sends another boy named Weedy back to tell Nightlinger to rejoin the herd as soon as possible and then gathers the remaining boys together. He might qualify based on his age alone. As a child actor, he made his screen debut alongside John Wayne in the 1972 film The Cowboys, and went on to appear in film and TV roles in Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairie, The Apple Dumpling Gang, and more. He has qualified for the National Circuit Finals Rodeo 10 times and been NCFR team-roping champion four . Horse Supai Drifter (nicknamed Ike) finished second in the PRCA/AQHA Team Roping Heel Horse of the Year voting in 2004 By age 16, however, acting for Cooper was replaced by a new interest roping that would result in his becoming a seven-time world team-roping title winner (1985-1989, 1992, 1994). Going At It with Focus, Fire and Intensity. Making a Play with Clay O'Brien Cooper. One great lesson Clay shares is that you dont have to be perfect to receive God, just be willing to admit your mistakes. The Coopers have two sons, Colton (born 2003) and Caden (born 2005). Pro Rodeo Hall of fame Team Roping Inducted 1997 Team Roping: 1983, 1985, 2000, National Western Stock Show & Rodeo / Denver, CO 24,612 people follow this. 'Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' is at its lowest price yet, W&P Porter bowl review: A container that makes office lunch easy, Get a wireless iWalk portable charger for under $25 on Amazon, 5 of the best umbrellas for gale-force winds, Save on this Mandalorian LEGO set ahead of the season 3 premiere. Clay O'Brien - Biography. That's how young Clay earned a tryout for The Cowboys, a 1972 film about a rancher, played by Wayne, who is forced to train a group of young boys for a 400-mile cattle drive. Team Roping: 2002, Clovis Rodeo / Clovis, CA Long before Clay OBrien Cooper won seven team roping heeler world titles and narrowly missed winning a record-tying eighth last year at age 51 the Gardnerville resident enjoyed a colorful career as a child actor. Cooper is active in youth ministry and spends time with his family in Gardnerville, Nevada. When not roping. Remaining pint-sized for several years, Clay could be found . We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 6 May. Copyright 2019 Las Vegas Review-Journal, Inc. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service, Clay O'Brien Cooper, top, and Justin Van Davis compete in the team roping event on the second night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. Wayne did not hesitate to appear in The Cowboys, despite the fact that "no actor in his right mind, would try to match the antics of eleven kids on screen," but for him it became "the greatest experience of my life."[8]. All Rights Reserved. 23,485 people like this. Clay O'Brien Cooper Team Roping Inducted 1997 Movie star, television actor, accomplished tie-down roper, premier team roping heeler, multiple world champion - Clay O'Brien Cooper has led a charmed life. Though he enjoyed a successful acting career through his early teenage years, Clay ultimately decided to pursue his true passion roping. Hes one of the best heelers theres ever been. Rodeo has its share of colorful characters. Click to reveal Photos by Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News. Jake married his wife Toni in 1989, and they have five children. Only 13 episodes were filmed before the series was cancelled. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 60 years old? Clay, who dropped his last name for film work, was a real cowboy, brought up on a California ranch. Team Roping: 1991, 1994, 2002, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo / Tucson, AZ Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. By continuing to browse or by clicking I Accept Cookies you agree to the storing of first-party and third-party cookies on your device and consent to the disclosure of your personal information to our third party service providers or advertising partners to optimize your experience, analyze traffic and personalize content. Co- champion at the Sheridan (Wyo.) He was the same off camera as he was on it, O'Brien Cooper said. He made his first movie debut with John Wayne in The Cowboys and went on to appear in numerous Western movies and television shows. Colorado Springs, CO. 80919. Theres a pretty good chance of that since he made the NFR 27 times and Im only 31, said Davis, competing in his first NFR. Born Clay O'Brien Cooper on May 6, 1961, and best-known as the pint- sized "Hardy Fimps" in the western coming-of-age film, The Cowboys (1972); Clay O'Brien became a favorite with John Wayne, who appreciated a real cowboy when he met one. After a year on the sports copy desk, became a reporter covering the Iguanas hockey team. WNFR Qualifications: 29 (1981-95, 1997-98, 2000-04, 2006-08, 2012-15) Current Residence: Gardnerville, Nev. He is from USA. O'Brien Cooper said he hasn't acted in more than 30 years, and he has no desire to do so again. Masters said it's an adventure traveling with his famous partner. The boys silently kill three of the outlaws and then use Nightlinger to draw Watts and the rest of his gang into an ambush. Clay O'Brien Cooper (1961) Team Roping (Heeling) Clay O'Brien Cooper was born May 6, 1961, in Ray, Arizona. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Team Roping: 1999, Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo / Ogden, UT The next morning, the boys show up at Andersen's ranch to volunteer for the drive. Movie star, television actor, accomplished tie-down roper, premier team roping heeler, multiple world champion Clay OBrien Cooper has led a charmed life. Cooper, born May 6, 1961, in Ray, Ariz., started roping at age 6. Team Roping: 1985, 1986, 1992, Worlds Oldest Rodeo Prescott Frontier Days / Prescott, AZ The elder O'Brien wrangled horses for such TV shows as Bonanza and Gunsmoke.. World Championships: 7 (1985-89, 1992, 1994) Born May 6, 1961 in Ray, Arizona Based on the 1971 novel of the same name by William Dale Jennings,[3][4][5] the screenplay was written by Irving Ravetch, Harriet Frank, Jr., and Jennings, and the film was directed by Mark Rydell.[6]. When I started back last year on the road to try and qualify for the NFR, I didnt really know where I stacked up competition-wise, because I havent traveled very hard for several years. Clay O'Brien Cooper. At 61 years old, Clay O'Brien height is 6' (1.83 m) . Movie star, television actor, accomplished tie-down roper, premier team roping heeler, multiple world champion Clay OBrien Cooper has led a charmed life. Team Roping: 1983, 1991 The answer was evident last year, when he won his fourth NFR average title (73.4 seconds on 10 head) and placed second in the world standings with $189,666 just $1,131 behind Fallons Jade Corkill 18 years after his last world title. World Titles Won: 7 (1985-89,1992, 1994) The pair won the NFR average title in 2012, the same year O'Brien Cooper helped Masters win the header world title. Team Roping: 1991 - present) ( 2 children) Clay O'Brien Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. As a child actor, he made his screen debut alongside John Wayne in the 1972 film The Cowboys, and went on to appear in film and TV roles in Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairie, The Apple Dumpling Gang, and more.By age 16, however, acting for Cooper had been replaced by a new . Clay's rodeo achievements are impressive by any standard and this mini-bio can not even begin to cover them. PRCA Career Earnings: $2,912,435.00 He subdues the test horse but then gets into a fight with Slim, the next-oldest boy. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Clay O'Brien's net worth All-Around: 1991 Team Roping: 1986, Rowell Ranch Rodeo / Hayward, CA It was a great blessing to have an opportunity as a little kid to play in a movie with an icon of American history.. We get along really good. Your IP: Top titles Latest Filmography 1987 1975 1974 1973 1972 1969 1954 Connections Waylon Jennings Joan Hackett Billy Green Bush Genres New Releases He has qualified for his 29th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) in second place behind Jade Corkill. As a nine year-old Clay landed the role of the youngest and smallest cowboy. But no one on the pro tour does colorful quite like team roper Clay O'Brien Cooper. Team Roping: 1989, 1999, 2003, Dodge City Roundup / Dodge City, KS Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Growing up in the arena and listening to stories about the pros and who roped the best made a lasting impression on the youngster. By the age of seven, Clay started Junior Rodeo and has been competing and winning ever since. For the 2015 film, see, "William Dale Jennings; Pioneering Gay Activist", "William Dale Jennings, 82, Writer and Gay Rights Pioneer (Published 2000)", http://www.emanuellevy.com/comment/the-cowboys-the-making-of-john-waynes-western-1/#sthash.bIL1BRPV.dpuf, "AFI's 100 Years of Film Scores Nominees", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Cowboys&oldid=1134248446, Alfred Barker, Jr. as Clyde "Fats" Potter, Glenn Randall, Jr. (credited as J.R. Randall), This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 18:55. I was blessed to have the opportunity to work with some really cool people, (including) John Wayne and James Garner. Much like Cooper looked up to Wayne, Justin Van Davis has the utmost respect and admiration for Cooper, his team roping partner at the National Finals Rodeo. We all look up to him.. On the trail, Andersen notices Cimarron following the herd, which slightly nettles him. Dan drops his glasses off a cliff overlooking the cattle, and Charlie, another one of the boys, falls off his horse and is trampled to death when he goes to get them. Clay O'Brien news, gossip, photos of Clay O'Brien, biography, Clay O'Brien girlfriend list 2023. . Events: Team Roping (Heeling), Steer Roping Born: 5/6/1961 Ray, Ariz. 2014: Won Round 6 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in a time of 4.0 seconds with Aaron Tsinigine and then placed in rounds 7-10 to finish third in the average standings and jump from 14th place to fifth in the final world standings with $145,766. He turned to roping calves. It was a good experience.. Won the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), with Aaron Tsinigine. UNLV stormed back in the fourth quarter to beat UNR in Reno and finish off an 18-0 season in the Mountain West. Home. Clay is a seasoned PRCA competitor, having won titles at the NFR 4 times, it's no surprise this Clay is in the number 2 spot. The Golden Knights have been without rookie goaltender Logan Thompson for three weeks, and coach Bruce Cassidy doesnt expect him back anytime soon. Team Ropers. More. Clay Cooper grew up being a little cowboy on the family ranch in the San Fernando Valley close to Los Angeles. It was a great experience for a young person my age that had watched John Wayne movies and was familiar with what a great American and hero figure that John Wayne was, he said. Thats how I got to try out for The Cowboys, he said. Born Clay OBrien Cooper on May 6, 1961, and best-known as the pint- sized Hardy Fimps in the western coming-of-age film, The Cowboys (1972); Clay OBrien became a favorite with John Wayne, who appreciated a real cowboy when he met one. At about the same time, Cooper decided to give rodeo another shot. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 61 years old group. I was a little kid with starstruck eyes. Standing a respectable 6 feet, Clay and his wife, Beth, have two daughters, Bailey and Quinn. The best thing is being able to make a living for me and my family doing what I always wanted, Cooper said. Soon after, the chuck wagon throws a wheel. Won Rounds 2 and 4 and split the win in Round 5 at the Wrangler NFR, placing in five total rounds Won Rodeo Austin (Texas), with Derrick Begay The boys remain passive as instructed, and the rustlers steal the herd. It's often the byproduct of a sport in which cowboys can ride bucking broncs and snorting, 1,600-pound bulls for a living. Cooper was introduced to the movie business by his stepfather, Gene OBrien, who wrangled horses for TV shows such as Bonanza and Gunsmoke, which Cooper also appeared in. Clay OBrien Cooper was born May 6, 1961, in Ray, Arizona. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? If you're trying to make a living at it, it's a top priority to make sure you're teamed up adequately and putting yourself in a position to . Cooper said The Duke was the same as most of the characters he portrayed. All-Around: 1991 Roy Dale Cooper (born November 13, 1955) [1] is an American former professional rodeo cowboy who competed in Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) events for more than two decades. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal), Heeler Clay O'Brien Cooper competes in the team roping event on the third night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013. Clay O'Brien Actor | The Cowboys Born Clay O'Brien Cooper on May 6, 1961, and best-known as the pint- sized "Hardy Fimps" in the western coming-of-age film, The Cowboys (1972); Clay O'Brien became a favorite with John Wayne, who appreciated a real cowboy when he met one. In the morning, Nightlinger and Homer rejoin to the group and find the boys tending to Andersen, who is near death. Cooper helped Chad Masters win the team roping header world title last year and they plan to team up again next year. And vice versa. Andersen locks all of the boys' guns in a box that will be kept on the chuck wagon during the drive, and they practice roping, branding, and herding cattle and horses. His wife is Beth O'Brien (? - present)( 2 children). Riding in among a stampede of horses, the boys kill all of the rustlers except Watts, whom they find pinned beneath his horse with a foot entangled in a rope. He and his wife, Alisa, who is from the Reno area, moved to Gardnerville after their two adult daughters, Bailey and Quinn, left home. His wife is Beth O'Brien (? As heeler, he's teamed up again with header Chad Masters, 33. Caped Crusader Clay O' Brien Cooper to the Rescue. He tells the boys to get ready to leave and starts to walk away, ignoring Watts' calls to stop. I was grateful to have the opportunity and be able to compete at a high level against the best in the world.