Roy Cooper and Clay O’Brien Cooper are two famous names in the American scene, but for very different reasons. Roy Cooper is the current governor of North Carolina, a former attorney general and a prominent Democrat. Clay O’Brien Cooper is a legendary team roper, a former child actor and a seven-time world champion. But are they related by blood or by name only? This article will explore the possible connections between these two men and reveal the truth behind the rumor.
The Origin of the Rumor
The rumor that Roy Cooper and Clay O’Brien Cooper are related has been circulating on the internet for a while, especially among fans of western movies and rodeo. The rumor seems to stem from the fact that they share the same last name and that they both have ties to Arizona. Roy Cooper was born in Nashville, North Carolina, but his father, Roy Asberry Cooper II, was originally from Arizona according to Wikipedia. Clay O’Brien Cooper was born in Ray, Arizona, and grew up around horses and rodeo according to IMDb.
Some people have speculated that Roy Cooper and Clay O’Brien Cooper are cousins or distant relatives, based on their similar appearance and ancestry. However, there is no evidence to support this claim, and neither of them has ever confirmed or denied it publicly.
The Truth Behind the Rumor
The truth is that Roy Cooper and Clay O’Brien Cooper are not related by blood or by marriage. They have different middle names, different parents and different backgrounds. Roy Cooper’s middle name is Asberry, after his paternal grandfather according to Wikipedia. Clay O’Brien Cooper’s middle name is O’Brien, after his biological father, who died when he was young according to IMDb. Roy Cooper’s parents are Beverly Batchelor and Roy Asberry Cooper II according to Wikipedia. Clay O’Brien Cooper’s parents are Gene O’Brien, his stepfather who raised him as his own son, and Mary Ann O’Brien according to South Texas Tack.
Roy Cooper and Clay O’Brien Cooper have also followed different paths in their careers and lives. Roy Cooper became a lawyer and a politician, serving in the North Carolina General Assembly, as the state attorney general and as the governor since 2017 according to Ballotpedia. Clay O’Brien Cooper became an actor and a cowboy, starring in several western movies as a child, such as The Cowboys (1972) with John Wayne, and becoming one of the most successful team ropers in history according to IMDb.
The Conclusion
Roy Cooper and Clay O’Brien Cooper are two remarkable men who have achieved great things in their respective fields. However, they are not related by blood or by marriage. They share the same last name by coincidence, not by kinship. The rumor that they are related is false and has no basis in fact. Therefore, it should be dismissed as a myth and not taken seriously.
