Thomas Frederick Cooper (19 March 1921 – 15 April 1984) was a Welsh and English prop comedian and magician. As an entertainer, his appearance was large and lumbering at, and he habitually wore a red fez when performing. He initially served in the British Army for seven years, before eventually developing his conjuring skills and becoming a member of The Magic Circle. Although he spent time on tour performing his magical act, which specialised on magic tricks that appeared to "fail", he rose to international prominence when his career moved into television, with programmes for London Weekend Television and Thames Television. By the end of the 1970s, Cooper was smoking and drinking heavily, which affected his career and his health, effectively ending offers to front new programmes and relegating him to performing as a guest star on other entertainment shows. On 15 April 1984, Cooper died at the age of 63 after suffering a heart attack live on television. Early life Thomas Frederick Cooper was born on 19 March 1921 at 19 Llwyn-On Street in Caerphilly, Glamorgan
Thomas Frederick Cooper (19 de marzo de 1921 – 15 de abril de 1984) fue un comediante y mago galés y inglés. Como entretenedor, su apariencia era grande y arbolada, y usualmente llevaba un feudo rojo cuando actuaba. Inicialmente sirvió en el Ejército Británico durante siete años, antes de finalmente desarrollar sus habilidades de conjuring y convertirse en miembro de The Magic Circle. Aunque pasó tiempo en gira realizando su acto mágico, que se especializó en trucos mágicos que parecían "fracasar", se elevó a la prominencia internacional cuando su carrera se trasladó a la televisión, con programas para London Weekend Television y Thames Television. A finales de los años 1970, Cooper estaba fumando y bebiendo fuertemente, lo que afectó a su carrera y su salud, terminando efectivamente ofreciendo nuevos programas y relegando a actuar como una estrella invitada en otros programas de entretenimiento. El 15 de abril de 1984, Cooper murió a la edad de 63 años después de sufrir un ataque al corazón en vivo.