He graduated from Erskine College in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and social studies, and in 1967 from the University of South Carolina School of Law with a Juris Doctor.

[4] Cooper began writing movie reviews for the Houston Home Journal, a small market news outlet in Perry, Georgia, in 1974.

During Cooper's time in California, he made weekly trips to Los Angeles for movie premiers, press parties and interview opportunities – making industry contacts and establishing relationships that have lasted until the present.

[8][9] In 1984, Cooper began broadcasting televised movie reviews for the CBS affiliate station in Macon, Georgia.

[5] The Jackie K. Cooper Show is broadcast weekly on Com South and Progressive Tel, cable networks in the Middle Georgia area.