Actress. Wife of screen legend Gary Cooper, “Rocky” was a devoted wife and mother to their only child, Maria. Prior to her 1933 marriage, she embarked upon a brief career in film using the screen name of Sandra Shaw. One of the films in which she was briefly featured was the classic King Kong. A respected athlete, she was California State Woman’s Skeet Champion during the 1930s. In addition, she was an avid golfer, swimmer, scuba diver and tennis player. After Cooper’s death in 1961, she returned to New York City and later married world-renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. John Converse. After his death in 1981, she perpetuated his life’s work through philanthropic efforts for the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Medical Center. A woman who found great strength in her Catholic faith, she was a lifelong supporter of the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Connecticut. (bio by: Ashley)  Family links:  Parents:  Harry Russell Balfe (1891 – 1965)  Veronica Gibbons Balfe Shields (1892 – 1958)  Spouses:  Gary Cooper (1901 – 1961)  John Marquis Converse (1909 – 1981)