Chris Cooper

	Chris Cooper in "Breach" (2007)

Chris Cooper reprises his role as Alexander Conklin in Universal Pictures' "The Bourne Ultimatum" (2007). 

Chris Cooper

previously played the role of  the mastermind of the CIA's controversial clandestine operation, Treadstone, in "The Bourne Identity" (2002) and appeared in the flashback scenes in the second installment, "The Bourne Supremacy" (2004).

One of the most respected character actors of our time,

Chris Cooper

was recognized in 2003 with an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of John Laroche in "Adaptation," written by Charlie Kaufman ("Being John Malkovich") and directed by Spike Jonze. The film, loosely based on Susan Orlean's novel "The Orchid Thief," followed a sexually frustrated screenwriter's attempts to adapt Orlean's anecdotal novel for the screen.

Chris Cooper

was also recognized for his performance in this film by numerous critics associations including the Broadcast Film Critics, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and Toronto Film Critics Association.

Recently,

Chris Cooper

appeared in "Syriana" for director Stephen Gaghan, "Capote" for director Bennett Miller, "Jarhead" for director Sam Mendes, and "Breach" for director Billy Ray ("Shattered Glass"), in which he plays the lead character of Robert Hanssen, a former FBI agent turned traitor, based on a true story.

Chris Cooper

was also seen in "Silver City," a political drama and murder mystery that chronicles the story of a small town in Colorado and the events leading up to a local election. Written and directed by John Sayles, the impressive cast includes Maria Bello, Thora Birch, Richard Dreyfuss, Tim Roth, Daryl Hannah and Billy Zane. The film screened at the Toronto Film Festival.

In 2003,

Chris Cooper

starred in "Seabiscuit," based on the best-selling novel.

Chris Cooper

was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for his portrayal of Seabiscuit's trainer, Tom Smith. "Seabiscuit" was directed by Gary Ross and also starred Tobey Maguire and Jeff Bridges. In the same year,

Chris Cooper

was nominated for an Emmy Award for his supporting performance in the HBO film "My House in Umbria," starring Maggie Smith.

In 2000,

Chris Cooper

portrayed Colonel Burwell opposite Mel Gibson in "The Patriot," a Revolutionary War epic directed by Roland Emmerich. In the same year, Cooper appeared with Jim Carrey in the comedy "Me, Myself & Irene," for directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly.

In 1999,

Chris Cooper

received a Screen Actor's Guild Award for his supporting performance alongside Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening in the Academy Award-winning film "American Beauty." In a stunning and dramatic display,

Chris Cooper

portrayed a stern ex-Marine Colonel who persistently monitored his son's every move.

In 1999,

Chris Cooper

starred as the father of an amateur rocket enthusiast in the acclaimed coming-of-age drama "October Sky," which was screened at the 1999 Venice and Deauville Film Festivals with great notice.

Chris Cooper

had previously earned a Best Actor nomination in 1997 from the Independent Spirit Awards for his work in John Sayles' "Lone Star." Nearly a decade earlier,

Chris Cooper

made his feature film debut in Sayles' "Matewan."

Among

Chris Cooper

's film credits are Robert Redford's "The Horse Whisperer," "Great Expectations, "A Time to Kill," "Money Train," "This Boy's Life," "Guilty by Suspicion" and "City of Hope."

On the small screen,

Chris Cooper

has starred in a number of longform projects, including the miniseries "Lonesome Dove" and "Return to Lonesome Dove." He most recently starred in HBO's "Breast Men," and includes among his other credits "Alone," "One More Mountain," "Ned Blessing," "Bed of Lies," "Darrow," "In Broad Daylight," "A Little Piece of Sunshine," "Law and Order" and "Journey to Genius."

Born in Kansas City, Missouri,

Chris Cooper

attended the University of Missouri School of Drama and started his professional career on the New York stage.

Chris Cooper

's theater credits include "Of the Fields Lately" on Broadway, "The Ballad of Soapy Smith" and "A Different Moon."

Chris Cooper

resides in Massachusetts.