After being offered a professional acting contract, Cooper entered the film industry and studied dramatics, although initially could only secure minor roles.

Despite her resemblance to Lamarr, Cooper faced challenges in landing significant roles, often relegated to minor parts in films such as Whistling in the Dark and Du Barry Was a Lady.

She expressed frustration with issues arising from her uncanny similarity to Lamarr, although did secure the lead in the 1943 romance film Wings Over the Pacific, as the only female among the main cast.

[6] Before her Hollywood career, Cooper worked in a Miami department store selling cosmetics, as well as holding down a small modeling job.

[6] Cooper's entrance into the film industry was unexpected, after being first spotted by director and producer Mervyn LeRoy while sitting with friends at the Mocambo night club, California in mid-1941.

[7] While in the nightclub, LeRoy mistook her for actress Hedy Lamarr, who then apologized for his intrusion and invited her to his office, where she was later offered a professional acting contract following a short screen test.

It wasn't the first time that LeRoy has discovered new talent in a night club or restaurant, having found Loretta Young and Patricia Dane in similar circumstances.

[8] She subsequently began studying dramatics and catching up on missed education, having had to prematurely leave high school following her relocation to Atlanta.