Ben Cooper (Hartford, September 30, 1933 – Memphis, February 24, 2020) was an American actor, best known for his numerous roles in the Western genre. His career began at a young age on Broadway, where he appeared in the long-running stage production "Life with Father." Starting in the 1950s, he established himself in cinema, becoming a familiar face to audiences. His most iconic role was that of the young and impulsive gunslinger Turkey Ralston in the classic "Johnny Guitar" (1954), directed by Nicholas Ray. His other significant film performances include "The Rose Tattoo" (1955) and "A Man Called Gannon" (1968). Cooper was also a prolific television actor, with appearances in renowned series such as "Bonanza," "Gunsmoke," "The Virginian," and "Perry Mason." For his consistent contribution to the Western genre, he was honored with the Golden Boot Award in 2005, a recognition that celebrated his solid career as a reliable character actor.