NEWSMAKERS | Former child star Jackie Cooper dies

NEWSMAKERS

Former child star Jackie Cooper dies

LOS ANGELES

Jackie Cooper, the former child movie star who won a best actor Oscar nomination at the age of 9 for “Skippy” and grew up to play The Daily Planet editor in Christopher Reeves’ four “Superman” movies, has died. He was 88.

Cooper died from an undisclosed illness Tuesday at a Los Angeles hospital, agent Ronnie Leif said.

A handsome kid with tousled blond hair and a winning smile, Cooper had a memorable bit in the 1929 musical “Sunny Side Up” and appeared in eight of the popular “Our Gang” comedies, including “Pups Is Pups” and “Teacher’s Pet.” Those credits led to a test that won him the title role of “Skippy.”

Nintendo cuts price on Wii system

REDMOND, Wash.

Nintendo is dropping the price of its Wii game system by $50 to $149.99 and introducing a new line of cheaper Wii games.

Starting May 15, the newly priced Wii system will come in either black or white with a Mario Kart Wii game and a Wii Wheel accessory, replacing the previously included Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort games.

The “Nintendo Selects” collection of games will come with a suggested retail price of $19.99. The four games include The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing: City Folk, Mario Super Sluggers and Wii Sports. It’s the first time Wii Sports will be sold separately.

Company to brew Washington’s beer

NEW YORK

George Washington is famous for many things. Yet it’s safe to say few know the nation’s founding father created a recipe for beer.

The New York Public Library owns the recipe and is partnering with Coney Island Brewing Company in Brooklyn to recreate the brew.

They’ll make just 25 gallons to celebrate the library’s centennial. It’ll be called “Fortitude’s Founding Father Brew.”

The handwritten recipe is jotted on a small piece of paper. It resides at the library’s main Fifth Avenue building with other Washington documents, including his Farewell Address.

The public can sample the beer May 18 at Rattle N Hum, a mid-Manhattan bar.

Tastings also will be offered at the library’s 100th birthday gala May 23. The brew will not be sold commercially.