Calico Cooper
Calico Cooper (born May 19, 1981) is an American actress, singer, dancer, choreographer, and director, best known as the eldest daughter of rock musician Alice Cooper and for her extensive involvement in his theatrical stage productions as well as her role as co-lead vocalist in the hard rock band Beasto Blanco.[1][2] She began her professional career in entertainment at a young age, debuting onstage with her father's shows at 16 and securing a permanent position at 18 to perform as a dancer and actress, often portraying a sadistic nurse character that became a fan favorite.[1][3] Cooper's early work with Alice Cooper included choreographing and directing elements of his tours, contributing to 11 world tours starting with the 2000 Brutal Planet production and later the Psychodrama tour.[2][1] Around age 30, she shifted focus to acting in film and television, training under renowned coaches such as Ivana Chubbuck and at institutions like the Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade, and Stella Adler Academy.[2][3] Her on-screen credits include roles in network series like Hawaii Five-0 (as Jane Miller in 2015), Henry Danger (as Tabitha), The Mindy Project, and The Afterparty, alongside her directorial debut in Beasto Blanco's music videos such as "The Seeker" and "Solitary Rave", where she also wrote, starred, performed stunts, and handled effects and costumes.[2][1] In 2012, Cooper joined the band Beasto Blanco, founded by Alice Cooper's longtime bassist Chuck Garric and guitarist Chris Latham, evolving from backup vocals to a prominent co-lead singer with a distinctive feral stage persona influenced by her family's theatrical rock heritage.[3][1] The band has released multiple albums, including their debut Live Fast, Die Loud (2013), their self-titled album (2016), and Kinetica (July 26, 2024), while touring extensively and collaborating with artists like Alice Cooper at events such as the 2018 Christmas Pudding concert.[3][1] Personally, she married musician Jed Williams in October 2015 and continues to balance acting, directing commercials and music videos, and performing with Beasto Blanco in Los Angeles and on international tours.[1]Early life
Family background
Calico Cooper was born on May 19, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, as Calico Furnier.[4][2] Her father is Vincent Damon Furnier, professionally known as Alice Cooper, a pioneering shock rock musician whose career has spanned over five decades.[5] Her mother, Sheryl Goddard, is a classically trained dancer and choreographer who performed in Alice Cooper's stage shows, including the 1975 Welcome to My Nightmare tour, where the couple first met.[6] Cooper is the eldest of three siblings. Her younger brother, Dashiell "Dash" Furnier, was born on June 3, 1985, and her younger sister, Sonora Rose Furnier, was born on December 14, 1992.[1] In 1982, when Calico was one year old, the family relocated from Beverly Hills, California, to Paradise Valley, Arizona, where they established their primary residence.[1] Growing up, Cooper was immersed in the world of rock music and live performance due to her parents' professions; her father's theatrical concerts and her mother's involvement in dance routines provided an early, constant exposure to the entertainment industry.[6][1]Childhood and education
Calico Cooper was born on May 19, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, and moved with her family to Paradise Valley, Arizona, at the age of one, where she was raised in an affluent suburb known for its celebrity residents.[1] Growing up in a high-profile household shaped by her parents' careers in rock music and performance, Cooper experienced a blend of normalcy and exposure to the entertainment world, with her father coaching her soccer team despite his arena-filling tours.[7] She attended Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona, graduating in 2000, during which time she immersed herself in dance as a sophomore by joining a competitive company that participated in national jazz competitions.[1] Her early passion for dance and performance was heavily influenced by her mother, Sheryl Goddard, a professional dancer and choreographer who performed with Alice Cooper's band, leading Cooper to spend extensive hours in dance studios competing and eventually teaching.[7] At age 16, Cooper made her first stage appearance during her father's 1997 "Rock 'N' Roll Carnival" tour, performing in a minor role as a clown, which allowed her to showcase her emerging performance skills to a large audience.[1] Following high school, she continued honing her abilities through dedicated dance training, adapting elements from her mother's roles—such as a nurse character—into her own distinctive style, reflecting a commitment to developing her craft independently.[7]Performance career
Collaboration with Alice Cooper
Calico Cooper began her professional collaboration with her father, Alice Cooper, at the age of 18 when she was hired as a dancer and choreographer for his Brutal Planet tour in 2000. Drawing from her early exposure to family performances, she contributed to reviving the theatrical elements of his shows by developing nightmarish characters and designing costumes. Her choreography work started prominently with this tour, where she helped create roles such as the Sadistic Nurse, emphasizing the horror-infused spectacle that defined Alice Cooper's live productions.[3][8][7] Over the next decade, Cooper performed in 11 of her father's world tours from 2000 to 2011, portraying a variety of characters that enhanced the narrative-driven stage shows. Notable roles included the Hitchhiker in early tours, the Asylum Nurse during the Eyes of Alice Cooper era, and the Spider Mistress in later productions like the Theatre of Death tour. These performances involved intricate dance sequences and interactions that supported the thematic elements of songs such as "Cold Ethyl," where she embodied supporting figures like Nurse Rosetta. Her involvement extended to providing backing vocals during live sets, adding depth to the auditory experience of these tours.[9][10][11] In addition to her stage work, Cooper contributed vocally to several of Alice Cooper's studio albums, including backing vocals on The Eyes of Alice Cooper (2003) and spoken verse vocals on Along Came a Spider (2008). These efforts helped shape the sonic texture of tracks that aligned with the dark, theatrical style of his music. By 2011, following the release of Welcome 2 My Nightmare—for which she provided select backing tracks—she transitioned away from full-time involvement in his tours to pursue independent projects in acting and her own music endeavors.[12][13][7]Choreography and stage roles
Following her initial training on Alice Cooper's tours, where she began choreographing at age 18 for the 2000 Brutal Planet tour, Calico Cooper developed a signature movement style that fuses classical ballet with theatrical rock elements, emphasizing spontaneous, high-energy expressions over rigid routines.[8] This approach draws from her classical ballet background, involving up to 10 hours of daily training, and her studies at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting, allowing her to blend dance precision with dramatic improvisation in live settings.[14] In the 2010s, Cooper extended her choreography to independent music videos, including serving as choreographer for the 2019 rock cinema short "Dennis Dunaway: Cold Cold Coffin," a horror-themed narrative featuring a tycoon's ill-fated marriage, where she crafted movements to enhance the story's dark tension.[15] She also contributed choreography to Beasto Blanco's music videos, such as "Feed My Frankenstein," integrating her rock aesthetics with visual storytelling.[2] Cooper's stage performances in the 2010s included guest appearances with rock acts, notably joining Orianthi and Diamante for a Halloween-themed soundcheck at Soundcheck Live in 2018, where she delivered dynamic, character-infused routines amid the event's festive atmosphere.[16] As frontwoman for Beasto Blanco since 2012, she created character-driven live events without predefined choreography, embodying a spontaneous "She-Beast" persona that transforms under stage lights, engaging audiences through raw, exploratory interactions that last up to an hour in costume preparation she designs and sews herself.[14] These performances prioritize immersion, with Cooper directing production, lighting, styling, and makeup to build multi-sensory worlds, often evoking apocalyptic or fantasy themes.[17] Her work frequently incorporates horror-themed spectacles, as seen in Beasto Blanco's shows blending shock-rock visuals with narrative depth, where she channels influences like vampire lore and '80s sci-fi to heighten the theatrical intensity.[18] In 2025, Cooper contributed to Beasto Blanco's Kinetica tour stage show by fronting the performances with her immersive style, supporting the album's sci-fi horror vignettes through high-energy, crowd-soaking executions that extend the project's visual storytelling into live formats across Europe.[19]Acting and comedy career
Film and television roles
Calico Cooper's early forays into film acting included minor supporting roles in indie horror movies and short films as a child. Her breakthrough in independent cinema came with the horror film The Curse of El Charro (2005), where she portrayed the enigmatic Mistress of Salvation, a character central to the film's supernatural narrative involving a cursed gunslinger. This role showcased her ability to blend dramatic intensity with otherworldly elements, earning attention in low-budget horror circles. She followed this with a supporting part as a barmaid—often described in fan accounts as a groupie-like figure—in the vampire rock comedy Suck (2009), which featured cameos from notable musicians and highlighted her comfort in music-infused stories.[20] Cooper expanded into more prominent film credits in the 2010s, appearing as Marcy in the horror film 13/13/13 (2013), exploring demonic forces unleashed on the date 13/13/13, where her performance contributed to the ensemble's tense, survival-driven dynamics. In 2016, she took on the role of Nancy Shanley in the supernatural TV movie The Crooked Man, playing a key figure in a tale of childhood terror and otherworldly revenge, demonstrating her versatility in genre storytelling.[21] These appearances solidified her presence in horror and thriller genres, often leveraging her theatrical background for expressive, high-stakes characterizations. On television, Cooper made guest appearances in popular series, including the role of Jane Miller, a deranged fan, in the 2015 episode of Hawaii Five-0, adding a layer of psychological menace to the procedural drama. That same year, she portrayed the villainous Tabitha in an episode of the Nickelodeon series Henry Danger, bringing comedic edge to a superhero-themed adventure without overshadowing the youthful ensemble. She also guest-starred in an episode of The Mindy Project in 2016. More recently, she appeared as the 2nd Assistant Director in a 2022 episode of the murder-mystery comedy The Afterparty, contributing to the show's layered, retrospective narrative style. Her most recent television role as of November 2025 is Junior Partner in the miniseries Interior Chinatown (2024).[2] Her recent film work includes the anthology horror Welcome to Hell (2018), where she played Susan in the segment "Family Time," depicting a nightmarish domestic haunting that underscored themes of isolation and terror.[22]Stand-up and comedic performances
Calico Cooper began pursuing comedy in the late 2000s, training intensively in improvisation and sketch comedy at esteemed Los Angeles institutions including The Groundlings and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. These programs honed her skills in unscripted humor and character work, building on her background in theatrical performance.[8][23] By 2010, Cooper had transitioned into stand-up comedy and improv performances across LA-area clubs and venues, where she developed material drawing from her experiences in family life and the Hollywood entertainment scene, earning notable acclaim for her sharp, personal delivery.[9] A key highlight of her comedic acting came in the 2010s with her recurring role as Lila Black, the manipulative and domineering boss, in the award-winning web series Bloomers (2011–2018), a satirical look at friends navigating love and business in the lingerie industry.[8][24] Cooper has showcased comedy sketches infused with her rock 'n' roll heritage at industry events, including showcases associated with Comedy Central, blending anecdotes from tour life with high-energy improv. She has also appeared as a guest on podcasts and late-night programs, sharing humorous stories from her road experiences with Alice Cooper and beyond.[9] In the 2020s, Cooper integrated comedic elements into her work with Beasto Blanco, serving as the emcee for live shows with witty interludes that punctuate the band's high-octane sets, adding levity to their theatrical rock performances.[25]Music career
Formation and role in Beasto Blanco
Beasto Blanco was formed in 2012 by Chuck Garric, the longtime bassist for Alice Cooper, and guitarist Chris "Brother" Latham, with the goal of crafting a theatrical hard rock outfit that delivered raw, powerful rock and roll alongside a high-energy, visually striking live performance.[26] Calico Cooper, who had previously collaborated with Garric through her stage work in Alice Cooper's shows, joined the project early on as co-lead vocalist and rapidly emerged as a central figure in shaping the band's aesthetic.[10] As co-founder alongside Garric, Cooper serves as lead vocalist and creative director, leveraging her background in choreography and theatrical performance to infuse Beasto Blanco with dramatic flair, elaborate costumes, and dynamic stage presence that echo her experiences in shock rock environments.[2] The band's initial lineup featured Garric on vocals and guitar, Cooper on vocals, Latham on guitar, bassist Jan LeGrow, and drummer Jonathan Mover, though it has evolved over time to include drummer Tommy Holt among its core members.[27] Beasto Blanco's debut release, the live album Live Fast Die Loud, arrived in 2013, capturing the intensity of their early performances and establishing their sound rooted in gritty hard rock with theatrical undertones.[28] In 2023, the band signed with COP International, enabling broader distribution and supporting their growing catalog of recordings.[29]Albums, tours, and recent projects
Beasto Blanco released their debut live album, Live Fast Die Loud, in 2013, capturing the band's high-energy performances and marking their initial foray into recorded music. This was followed by their first studio album, the self-titled Beasto Blanco, in 2016, which featured tracks like "Grind" and an Alice Cooper cover of "Feed My Frankenstein," showcasing Calico Cooper's powerful vocals and the band's hard rock edge. The album received praise for its raw production and theatrical flair, solidifying their presence in the rock scene. In 2017, the band issued Live from Berlin, a live recording from their European tour that highlighted their growing international fanbase and stage dynamism. Their third studio album, We Are, arrived in 2019 via Rat Pak Records, emphasizing mature songwriting with songs such as "The Seeker" and "Solitary Rave." Influenced by classic hard rock acts like White Zombie, the album explored themes of resilience and unity, further establishing Cooper's role as a commanding frontwoman.[30] The band's fourth studio album, Kinetica, was released in 2024 through COP International, featuring 10 tracks including the lead single "Run for Your Life," produced by Chris Harms of Lord of the Lost.[18] This album delved into themes of motion and intensity, with Cooper contributing to its cinematic vignettes and music videos that tie into an accompanying feature film project she is directing and editing.[31] The autobiographical film Kinetica, blending rock narrative with dramatic elements, is slated for release following the band's 2025 tour.[32] Throughout their career, Beasto Blanco has balanced supporting slots on major tours with headlining efforts. From 2013 onward, they opened for Alice Cooper on select U.S. dates and joined Halestorm and In This Moment for the 2019 "Victory to Hell" tour across North America, energizing crowds with their theatrical sets.[33] In Europe, they headlined shows in 2016-2017, including a Berlin performance captured on their live album, and supported The Dead Daisies in 2024 across Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands.[34] These tours, spanning clubs to festivals like Plage Noire in 2024, have built a dedicated following through Cooper's dynamic stage presence and the band's relentless energy.[35] In early 2025, Beasto Blanco announced the "Kinetica Tour," a headlining European run starting in November, featuring support from Dätcha Mandala and Ya Toyah, with dates in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, which began in November 2025 and is currently ongoing as of November 2025.[36] Prior to the tour, Cooper appeared on the red carpet at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2025, representing the nominated children's album Solid Rock Revival, on which she collaborated with her father Alice Cooper and Slash for the track "Freewheelin'."[37] Later that year, the band released the single "Out of Darkness" and a remix EP including "Run for Your Life (Assemblage 23 Remix)," extending the momentum from Kinetica.Personal life and influences
Marriage and family
Calico Cooper married actor Jed Williams on October 4, 2015, in a private beachfront ceremony in Maui, Hawaii.[38][1] The event was attended by close family members, including her parents Alice and Sheryl Cooper, as well as select friends from the music industry.[39][40] The couple maintains a low-profile personal life, with limited public details about their relationship beyond the wedding.[41] As of 2025, there is no publicly available information indicating that Cooper and Williams have children.[1] They reside in the Los Angeles area, where Cooper balances her professional commitments with a focus on privacy.[42][43] Cooper shares occasional joint appearances with her siblings, Dashiell "Dash" and Sonora Cooper, at family events, reflecting their close-knit dynamic.[1][44]Artistic influences and other activities
Calico Cooper's artistic influences stem primarily from her family, particularly her father's pioneering shock rock style and her mother's expertise in dance. Raised in the orbit of Alice Cooper's theatrical live shows, she absorbed the blend of horror-themed spectacle and high-energy performance that defined his career, which informed her own approach to stagecraft and character-driven routines from an early age.[3] Her mother, Sheryl Cooper, a professional dancer who frequently performed with Alice Cooper, provided a foundational influence through rigorous dance training and demonstrations of precise, expressive movement, shaping Cooper's choreography and physicality as a performer.[3] In addition to her performing career, Cooper has pursued directing, debuting with the music videos for Beasto Blanco's "The Seeker" and "Solitary Rave," where she also wrote and starred, and is currently editing the band's autobiographical feature film Kinetica.[2] Cooper engages in philanthropy tied to music education, lending vocals to the 2024 track "Freewheelin'" on the Solid Rock Revival album alongside her father and Slash, benefiting Alice Cooper's Solid Rock Teen Centers through creative programs for youth; the project earned a 2025 Grammy nomination for Best Children's Album.[45]Works
Discography
Calico Cooper's discography consists primarily of vocal contributions to her father Alice Cooper's albums and lead vocal performances with the band Beasto Blanco, spanning hard rock and theatrical styles without any full solo releases as of November 2025. Her work emphasizes backing and lead roles in collaborative settings, often blending raw energy with narrative-driven rock.[46][47]Contributions to Alice Cooper albums
Cooper provided backing vocals on select tracks across several of Alice Cooper's studio albums in the 2000s, drawing from her early involvement in his live performances.- Dragontown (2001, Spitfire Records): Backing vocals.[48]
- The Eyes of Alice Cooper (2003, Spitfire Records): Backing vocals and theremin.[49]
- Along Came a Spider (2008, Steamhammer/SPV): Backing vocals on "(In Touch With) Your Feminine Side".[12]
With Beasto Blanco
As co-founder and lead vocalist since 2012, Cooper has fronted all of Beasto Blanco's releases, delivering high-energy vocals on studio albums, live recordings, and EPs that fuse hard rock with apocalyptic themes. The band signed with COP International in 2023, releasing promotional singles ahead of their latest album.[29]| Release Year | Title | Type | Label | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Live Fast Die Loud | Live album | Rat Pak Records | Lead vocals throughout.[50] |
| 2016 | Beasto Blanco | Studio album | Eleven Seven Music | Lead vocals, including cover of Alice Cooper's "Feed My Frankenstein".[51] |
| 2018 | Live From Berlin | Live album | Rat Pak Records | Lead vocals.[52] |
| 2019 | We Are | Studio album | Rat Pak Records | Lead vocals.[53] |
| 2024 | Kinetica | Studio album | COP International | Lead vocals, including singles "Run For Your Life" (2023) and "Lowlands" (2024).[54] |
Guest appearances and singles
- "Freewheelin'" (2024, single from Solid Rock Revival, Solid Rock): Vocals with Alice Cooper and Slash.[55]
- "Girls Come Together" (2024, from Solid Rock Revival, Solid Rock): Vocals with Rock For Children and Alicia Chase.[56]
- "No 1" (2025, single by Verona On Venus, Self-released): Featured vocals on industrial cover of Die Antwoord track.[57]
Filmography
Calico Cooper's filmography primarily consists of supporting and leading roles in independent films, often within the horror and thriller genres, spanning from the mid-2000s to the early 2020s.[2]Film
- The Curse of El Charro (2005) as The Mistress.[58]
- Rolling (2007) as Jess.[59]
- Dakota Skye (2008) as Heather.
- Suck (2009) as Barmaid.[60]
- Thirty Proof Coil (2010) as Woman.[61]
- 13/13/13 (2013) as Astaroth.
- The Choosing (2017, short) as Renee.[62]
- Welcome to Hell (2018) as Susan (segment "Family Time").
- The Curse of Denton Rose (2020) as Self.
Television
- Hawaii Five-0 (2015) as Jane Miller (1 episode).
- Henry Danger (2016) as Tabitha (1 episode).
- The Afterparty (2022) as 2nd A.D. (recurring role, 2 episodes).
- Interior Chinatown (2024) as Junior Partner (1 episode).