James “Jim” Cooper Arts & Culture Wall Of Fame

James “Jim” Cooper was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1940, and emigrated to Canada in 1952; he came to Niagara Falls in 1993. 

With his thrilling lyrical tenor voice he performed in musical theatre to great acclaim.   He appeared regularly with Garden City Productions and sang the national anthem at many conventions.  His voice, on-stage theatre skills and business acumen propelled him to success when, in 1973, he opened an extremely successful dinner show in Montreal, Le Festin du Gouverneur. 

In 1994, Jim Cooper created Oh Canada Eh? a high-energy family dinner theatre show of entirely Canadian music mixed with a generous dash of comedy.  Jim played the part of Pierre, the coureur du bois, for twenty years and his performance as a vocalist, actor and comedian would be the lynchpin of the show.  In 1999 the show moved to its own custom-built log cabin-style theatre on Lundy’s Lane with seating for 250 guests.  Oh Canada Eh? won the Niagara Falls Visitor and Convention Bureau’s “Misty” Award for Attraction of the Year seven times.

Jim Cooper’s contribution to charitable causes has never faltered, and his company  has donated substantial sums to Positive Living Niagara and Project Share.

Jim retired from appearing in O Canada Eh? in 2015 but his lengthy contribution to the performing arts in Niagara Falls has been quite exemplary.  Several hundred thousand tourists and locals alike will always be able to recall a happy evening spent in his company, and he has employed and encouraged hundreds of young performers, many of whom have successfully ascended the difficult ladder of “show business”.