Although born in Chicago, Illinois, Jeff Coopwood grew up in Miami, Florida. While obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Miami, he sang for four seasons with the Miami Opera. Upon graduation, he toured across the country in the Broadway National tour of "Timbuktu!" starring 'Eartha Kitt' and also starred in several stage productions throughout the United States and Canada. He went on to teach, coach and lecture in speech and debate at various high schools and colleges across the country, including Harvard, Northwestern, Georgetown, Marquette, and Emory Universities, as well as the Universities of Pennsylvania and Miami. Upon his return to Chicago, he was the Emmy-nominated host of the '$100,000 Fortune Hunt' and also hosted 'Know Your Heritage', both nationally syndicated television game shows. Upon moving to Los Angeles, he become known for his proficiency with accents, dialects and vocal imitations and received an Emmy nomination for his voice-over work. He is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and earned a Master of Arts in Humanities from the California State University, Dominguez Hills. His career has included television, film, commercials, voice-overs, video games, theatre, opera and broadcasting.
Attended the University of Miamis drama department with fellow drama students: Ray Liotta , Steven Bauer , Dawnn Lewis , Greg Louganis , Gail Edwards , Valerie Perri , Saundra Santiago , Connie Ramirez , Ray Faiola among many others. One of the departments professors was Ron Feinberg.
As a high school senior, starred in a college production of "Purlie" as Purlie, also starring Jo Marie Payton.
Made his professional opera debut with the Miami Opera singing with Luciano Pavarotti , Plcido Domingo and Leontyne Price among others.
Made his professional debut in the Broadway National Tour of "Timbuktu!" starring Eartha Kitt understudying the male lead.
Made his national television debut guest starring in an episode of "Brewster Place" with Oprah Winfrey.
Made his Canadian theatrical debut starring in a production of "West Memphis Mojo" in Toronto.
Recipient of both the U.S. Treasury Departments Alexander Hamilton Medal and the George Washington Medallion.
Was appointed Visiting Professor and named Program Director at the University of Miamis Summer Debate Institute at the age of 16. Was a Visiting Professor at Georgetown Universitys Summer Debate Institute at the age of 21.
Appeared in two consecutive productions at Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre in Jupiter, Florida, and other stage productions across the country from the St. Louis MUNY Opera, to the Kenley Players of Ohio, Dallas Summer Musicals, Milwaukee Melody Top Theatre, and the Chicago Shakespeare Festivals production of "As You Like It" directed by Gregory Mosher among many others.
Starred opposite Pauletta Washington (Mrs. Denzel Washington) as ill-fated lovers in a musical entitled "The Tree Artist", that was once slated for Broadway.
Was discovered while still a college student by the legendary Broadway and film composer duo of Chet Forrest and Bob Wright while performing in a production of "Irma La Duce" starring Pamela Blair at the famed Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami. Subsequently Wright/Forrest arranged a meeting with the Tony Award winning actor/director Geoffrey Holder. For this meeting, he was accompanied by a less than adequate pianist. Nonetheless, his talents were very apparent, and Holder, with Forrest & Wright, cast him to understudy the male lead in their Broadway National touring production of "Timbuktu!" starring Eartha Kitt.
Directed fellow University of Miami drama student Ray Liotta in a college workshop production of "Equus".
Was the "Voice of The Borg", uttering the now famous line "Resistance is futile" in Star Trek: First Contact . His voice was digitally layered several times to create the "Borg" effect.
During his teaching career, several of his students won National Championships in Speech & Debate and he was twice named National Coach of the Year. Also coached several national, state and regional championship teams in speech & debate at both the high school and college level.
For several years in the 1990s, hosted the on-camera pledge breaks for KCET, the PBS television station in Los Angeles, CA.
(May 2008) Received a Master of Arts in Humanities degree from the California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA.
(August 2005) Conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic in concert at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California.
