Actor-director Jackie Cooper, who is remembered for playing Daily Planet editor Perry White in four ‘Superman’ movies, died at the age of 88 on May 3, PEOPLE is reporting. He died in a Beverly Hills hospital from natural causes after a brief illness.

Cooper is also known as still being the youngest person to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. At nine-years-old, he was the first child star to ever be nominated for the award in 1931 for his portrayal of the title role in 1931′s ‘Skippy.’

Ronnie Lief, who served as Cooper’s agent, said his client “was a lovely man and I will miss him.” Cooper’s son Russell said his father “was a fascinating guy who really did everything, from all different aspects of the business.”

Besides starring in films, Cooper also appeared on such television shows as ‘Murder, She Wrote’ and ‘St. Elsewhere.” He also directed television shows, including ‘Magnum P.I.,’ and made-for-TV movies, including ‘Leave ‘Em Laughing.”

Written by: Karen Benardello

jackie cooper