During the 1930s Golden Age of Hollywood, Jackie Cooper was nicknamed America’s Boy. He was one-half Italian. The father he never met was Jewish and his loving and gentle mother was Italian. When she wasn’t selling piano sheet music she was ailing, and his hefty and intimidating nonna, Marie Babbino, who he had no fond memories of, was in charge.

She dragged him, every day, to the gates of the movie studio, shopping herself and her grandson as extras. When lucky, nonna Babbino and Jackie Cooper earned $2 and a free meal for a walk-on-scene.

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Source: http://www.lagazzettaitaliana.com/