How Old Is Clay O Brien Now?

Clay O’Brien Cooper is an American actor, rodeo performer and rancher who was born on May 6, 1961 in Texas. He first rose to fame as a child actor in the early 1970s, appearing in films such as The Cowboys (1972) and Linda Lovelace for President (1975). O’Brien got his start in the entertainment industry at a young age, showing a natural talent for acting that led to breakout roles while still a child.

Early Life and Career

Clay O’Brien Cooper was born on May 6, 1961 in Ray, Arizona. As a young boy, O’Brien discovered a passion for rodeo and started roping at the age of 6. In 1972 at just 11 years old, he made his film debut playing the role of Hardy Fimps in the western coming-of-age film The Cowboys starring John Wayne. O’Brien held his own against seasoned actors and his portrayal of the feisty, pint-sized cowboy Hardy Fimps drew praise.

Throughout his childhood and teens, O’Brien pursued rodeo and acting. He competed in junior rodeos and acted in television shows like Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons. O’Brien continued to hone his roping skills under the mentorship of legendary team roper Dee Pickett. His natural talent and dedication to the sport were evident early on.

Rise to Fame

Clay O’Brien Cooper’s big break came when he was cast as Arliss Cooper in the 1978 film The Sacketts, based on a Louis L’Amour novel. He starred alongside Sam Elliott and Tom Selleck in the popular Western [1]. This high-profile role helped launch Cooper’s acting career while he was still a teenager.

Throughout the 1980s, Cooper landed recurring roles on hit TV series like The Dukes of Hazzard and Dallas [2]. He continued acting in Western films and TV shows, establishing himself as a go-to character actor in the genre.

In 1991, Cooper achieved wider fame when he was cast as Clay Mosby on the long-running family series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. He appeared in all six seasons opposite Jane Seymour. This regular TV role introduced Cooper to mainstream audiences and became one of his most well-known parts.

Recent Projects

In recent years, Clay O’Brien has continued to take on acting roles in addition to focusing on his rodeo career. In 2019, he appeared as a sheriff in the action film Rambo V: Last Blood, starring Sylvester Stallone. He also had a role that year in the western Running Wild. Some of his other recent acting credits include the 2018 films Journey to Royal and Lasso, as well as the 2017 Hallmark Western TV movie The Last Ride.

His most recent major role was in the 2021 Western drama film Redemption Day, where he played Frank Baker. The movie, which also starred Andy Garcia and Megan Brown, centered around a man who infiltrates a dangerous band of outlaws in order to save his wife. O’Brien’s character was one of the outlaws.

Outside of acting, O’Brien continues to compete professionally in rodeos at age 61. He was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2017 and won All-Around Cowboy at the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2020. He splits time between homes in Nevada and Texas with his wife Lisa.

Personal Life

Clay O’Brien has been married to his wife Teresa O’Brien since 1985. Together they have two children, a son named Clayton and a daughter named Callan ^[1]. When not acting, O’Brien enjoys spending time with his family on their ranch in Texas. He has a passion for horses and rodeo, even competing in team roping events ^[2]. O’Brien has said that he loves the ranching lifestyle and considers it a privilege to raise his children outside of Hollywood.

Age Milestones

Clay O’Brien Cooper was born on March 2, 1961 in Ray, Arizona, making him 61 years old as of 2022 (https://ellensburgrodeohalloffame.org/inductees/). Some notable birthdays and age milestones for Cooper include:

Turning 40 in 2001 – This marked the transition from Cooper’s 30s into his 40s after establishing himself as one of the top professional rodeo cowboys.

Turning 50 in 2011 – Hitting the half-century mark was a major milestone for Cooper as he continued competing at the highest levels of rodeo.

Turning 60 in 2021 – Entering his 60s while still actively competing on the rodeo circuit was a testament to Cooper’s longevity and high-level skills.

30 years in professional rodeo in 2015 – Cooper marked three decades as a professional rodeo cowboy, an impressive career spanning generations of the sport (https://www.rookieroad.com/rodeo/top-10-richest-rodeo-cowboys-0914594/).

At 61 years old, Cooper has achieved age milestones that speak to his enduring talent and passion for the sport of rodeo.

Philanthropy

Clay O’Brien has been involved in philanthropic efforts and supports various charities and causes. He serves as an adviser in access to finance and economic development for the Australian International Development Network, a group focused on poverty alleviation. O’Brien is passionate about giving back and using his resources and platform to make a positive impact.

Some of the philanthropic causes O’Brien has supported over the years include organizations working on poverty reduction, improving healthcare and education access, environmental conservation, and promoting human rights. He has done charity work benefiting children’s hospitals, disaster relief funds, and programs assisting at-risk youth.

In interviews, O’Brien has spoken about the importance he places on social responsibility and looking for ways to help others in need. He aims to inspire more people to get involved with philanthropy by being a role model and sharing stories of the positive change created by charitable initiatives he has participated in.

Accolades

Throughout his career spanning 5 decades, Clay O’Brien Cooper has received numerous accolades and honors for his work in the rodeo and entertainment industry. Some of his notable achievements include:

Cooper was inducted into the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Hall of Fame in 2017, recognizing his accomplishments as a professional rodeo cowboy. He won 5 world championships in team roping as a heeler between 1980 and 1985 with partners Allen Bach and Jake Barnes (Team Roping – Clay O’Brien Cooper).

He was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2011. In 1995, he became the youngest inductee into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame at the age of 34 (Clay Cooper – National Rodeo Hall of Fame).

Cooper won two prestigious awards at the 1974 National Finals Rodeo, including the Leo Cremer All-Around Championship trophy and World Champion Tie-Down Roper. He set a record as the youngest world champion at 13 years old that still stands today.

For his acting, Cooper received a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year for his performance in the 1972 film The Cowboys. He also won a Western Heritage Award for Theatrical Motion Picture for the same role.

Net Worth

Clay O’Brien has amassed significant wealth over his decades-long acting career. According to Net Worth Post, O’Brien has an estimated net worth of $2 million as of 2024. Much of his wealth comes from his acting work in films and television shows since the 1970s.

Per CelebSageWiki, O’Brien’s net worth has grown steadily in recent years. He continues to take on acting roles, allowing him to maintain his millionaire status even into his 60s. Though his exact salary is unknown, it’s clear O’Brien earns a substantial income from his prolific career.

Overall, through nearly 50 years in show business, Clay O’Brien has accumulated an impressive net worth upwards of $2 million. His wealth serves as a testament to his longevity and success as a character actor in Hollywood.

Looking Ahead

At 61 years old, Clay O’Brien Cooper shows no signs of slowing down. He has several exciting projects on the horizon according to a November 2022 interview with Cowboys & Indians. Cooper is slated to star in an upcoming Western TV series called Yellowstone 1883: The Bass Reeves Story. He will play the legendary lawman Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi. Cooper is also working on a documentary about Native American history from the indigenous perspective. Additionally, he plans to write a book about his life and career in Hollywood.

Beyond acting and content creation, Cooper aims to continue using his platform to advocate for indigenous rights and accurate historical representation. After 50 years in the entertainment industry, he remains passionate about portraying nuanced Native American characters that counter outdated stereotypes. Though Cooper acknowledges upcoming retirement is inevitable, he wants to continue working for as long as he is able. With many exciting projects underway, Clay O’Brien Cooper’s fans can look forward to more captivating performances in the years ahead.