Legendary comedian Pat Cooper, who hosted roasts at Friars Club and had dozens of credits on the silver screen, has passed away at the age of 93.
He is now mourned by his many colleagues in the comedy genre, where Cooper made a monumental impact throughout the course of his life.
”There was nobody like Pat Cooper, who burned every bridge that he went over,” Steve Garrin, Cooper’s producer and writing partner, told Fox News.
Born Pasquale Caputo in Brooklyn in July 1929, Cooper rose to fame during the 1950s, captivating primarily Italian-American audiences with his performances.
His breakthrough moment came when he had the opportunity to open for Frank Sinatra at the Sands in Las Vegas. Before long, his fiery temper and emotional outbursts earned him the nickname “Comedian of Outrage.”
Throughout the 1960s, he frequently performed at hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, not only warming up the stage for Sinatra but also appearing on the same shows with luminaries such as Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Darin, and Tony Martin.
Later in his career, Cooper gained recognition as roast-master at the renowned Friars Club in New York City, where some of the greatest comedians tested their jokes on each other. He also made a memorable appearance in the hit sitcom Seinfeld, playing himself in the episode titled “The Friar’s Club.”
Steve Garrin, Cooper’s producer and writing partner, shared with Fox News how the legendary scene was developed:
”I was sitting at his table in his kitchen and the phone rings, and it’s Larry David. He picks up the phone, and he hangs it up. I go, ‘What was that?’ He says, ‘Some nut.’ The phone rings again, and he picks it up, and he hangs it up.”
“I said, ‘What’s going on with you?’ and he goes, ‘Some guy says he’s Larry David,’ and I said, ‘Well, maybe if he calls again, see if it is.’”
Fate would have it that David called once more and offered Cooper a guest spot on the popular sitcom. For the record, Cooper’s scene was completely ad-libbed.
Apart from being a beloved stand-up comedian and a staple at the Friars Club roasts, Cooper was also a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show.
He will also be remembered for his collaborations with another American-Italian legend, Robert De Niro. In 1999, Pat Cooper starred alongside De Niro and Billy Crystal in the movie Analyze This. Cooper portrayed the fictional character Salvatore Masiello, a mafia boss. He also appeared in the sequel, Analyze That, released in 2002.
After retiring, Cooper resided in Las Vegas, Nevada. He passed away in his home on June 6, leaving behind his wife, Emily Conner, two daughters, and one son.
The legacy of Pat Cooper, an extraordinary comedian and entertainer, will forever be cherished in the hearts of his fans and colleagues alike.
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