Ray Cooper

Biography

Raymond Thomas "Ray" Cooper (born 19 September 1947) is an English virtuoso percussionist. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with several musically diverse bands and artists including George Harrison, Billy Joel, Rick Wakeman, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd and Elton John. Cooper absorbed the influence of rock drummers from the 1960s and 1970s such as Ginger Baker, Carmine Appice, and John Bonham.

Known For

Brazil

Technician

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Vladimir

Popeye

The Preacher

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Functionary

Water

Himself - The Singing Rebels' Band

Concert for George

Self

An Accidental Studio

Self

9 Month Stretch

British journalist (uncredited)

Filmography

Year	Movie	Role
2025	Eric Clapton Unplugged… Over 30 Years Later	Percussion
2022	Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium	Self
2019	An Accidental Studio	Self
2017	Peter Maffay - MTV Unplugged	Himself
2014	Elton John - The Million Dollar Piano	Self - Percussion
2013	9 Month Stretch	British journalist (uncredited)
2009	The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus	Vladimir
2003	Concert for George	Self
2002	Lost in La Mancha	Self - Longtime Gilliam Colleague
2002	Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace	Bandmember
1999	Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton	Self
1997	Music for Montserrat	Self
1996	The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of 'Twelve Monkeys'	Self
1995	Elton John: Made in England Tour - Live in Rio de Janeiro	self
1992	Eric Clapton - MTV Unplugged
1991	Eric Clapton: 24 Nights	Self - Percussion
1988	The Adventures of Baron Munchausen	Functionary
1988	Eric Clapton at Tokyo Dome	Self
1988	The Russian Film	Self
1985	Water	Himself - The Singing Rebels' Band
1985	Brazil	Technician
1980	Popeye	The Preacher
1979	To Russia... with Elton	Self
1975	Elton John at Dodger Stadium	The Band

Year	TV Show	Role