Although born in Chicago, Illinois, Jeff grew up in Miami, Florida, where in high school he was named Best Actor in the State of Florida by the I.T.S. and was also a 3 time State Speech & Debate Champion and 2 time National Speech & Debate Finalist. While obtaining a theatre degree from the University of Miami, he also sang for 4 seasons with the ...
University of Miami, California State University, Dominguez Hills
Parents
Jesse Coopwood, Louise Riley
Movies
Beethoven's 4th, The Wild Thornberrys Movie
Star Sign
Cancer
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Fact
1
Conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic in concert at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California. [August 2005]
2
Received a Master of Arts in Humanities degree from the California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA. [May 2008]
3
For several years in the 1990s, hosted the on-camera pledge breaks for KCET, the PBS television station in Los Angeles, CA.
4
During his teaching career, several of his students won National Championships in Speech & Debate and he was twice named National Coach of the Year. Also coached several national, state and regional championship teams in speech & debate at both the high school and college level.
5
Was the "Voice of The Borg", uttering the now famous line "Resistance is futile" in Star Trek: First Contact (1996). His voice was digitally layered several times to create the "Borg" effect.
6
Directed fellow University of Miami drama student Ray Liotta in a college workshop production of "Equus".
7
Was discovered while still a college student by the legendary Broadway and film composer duo of Chet Forrest and Bob Wright while performing in a production of "Irma La Duce" starring Pamela Blair at the famed Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami. Subsequently Wright/Forrest arranged a meeting with the Tony Award winning actor/director Geoffrey Holder who, with Forrest & Wright, cast him to understudy the male lead in their Broadway National touring production of "Timbuktu!" starring Eartha Kitt.
8
Starred opposite Pauletta Washington (Mrs. Denzel Washington) as ill-fated lovers in a musical entitled "The Tree Artist", that was once slated for Broadway.
9
Appeared in two consecutive productions at Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre in Jupiter, Florida, and other stage productions across the country from the St. Louis MUNY Opera, to the Kenley Players of Ohio, Dallas Summer Musicals, Milwaukee Melody Top Theatre, and the Chicago Shakespeare Festival's production of "As You Like It" directed by Gregory Mosher among many others.
10
Was appointed Visiting Professor and named Program Director at the University of Miami's Summer Debate Institute at the age of 16. Was a Visiting Professor at Georgetown University's Summer Debate Institute at the age of 21.
11
Recipient of both the U.S. Treasury Department's Alexander Hamilton Medal and the George Washington Medallion.
12
Made his Canadian theatrical debut starring in a production of "West Memphis Mojo" in Toronto.
13
Made his national television debut guest starring in an episode of Brewster Place (1990) with Oprah Winfrey.
14
Made his professional debut in the Broadway National Tour of "Timbuktu!" starring Eartha Kitt understudying the male lead.
$3 Million
