Jackie Cooper, who successfully survived child stardom after becoming the youngest ever Best Actor Oscar nominee at the age of 9, has died aged 88.

The American actor, whose Academy Award nomination (for Skippy) came way back in 1931, found renewed fame as irascible Daily Planet editor Perry White in the 70s Superman films.

He also found success as a director, taking the helm (and winning Emmys) for dozens of episodes of M*A*S*H and The White Shadow as well as developing TV programs for Columbia’s ScreenGems division. AND he was in the army. Busy fellow, eh?

Jackie Cooper is survived by two of his four children.