Thomas Judge "Tex" Cooper was born on April 2, 1876, in Texas, the eldest of twelve children in a strict religious household. His father, a Seventh-day Adventist preacher and farmer, ruled with a heavy hand. Tired of the abuse and longing for freedom, Cooper cut ties with his family at age 16 and ran away to forge a new identity, Tex, the cowboy.

Tex Cooper quickly made a name for himself on the Wild West circuit. With a natural flair for performance, he joined the ranks of Buffalo Bill Cody and the Miller Brothers’ 101 Ranch, showcasing his cowboy skills in shows across the U.S. and Europe. His striking appearance, marked by a head of long white hair and a bold, curled mustache, made him a favorite as a show announcer and parade marshal. Crowds knew they were in for a spectacle when Tex took the stage.

By the early 20th century, Cooper transitioned from live performances to film, joining Colonel Miller’s 101 Bison Movie Company in California. From 1911 to 1937, he worked alongside legendary Western stars like Tom Mix and Hoot Gibson, appearing in hundreds of B-Westerns. With more than 100 roles during the sound era alone, he became a familiar face to audiences, even in minor scenes. Whether standing in a dusty street during a shootout or watching from the sidelines, Tex’s presence always drew cheers from young fans in the theater.

Tex was married to Nona, a Hungarian little person who also performed in films and was reportedly one of the original Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz. Together, they shared a life rooted in entertainment and adventure, leaving behind a legacy woven into the golden age of Westerns and early Hollywood.