Cooper was born in 1974 in Toronto, grew up in Key Biscayne, Florida and lives in Los Angeles. She began acting in school plays at age 11.

Cooper had a recurring role as Valerie Harris on four episodes of the Fox TV series 24, portraying a Homeland Security official who was part of a takeover of the Counter Terrorism Unit. She said in a Toronto Star interview in 2008 that the project reunited her with Jon Cassar, the show’s executive producer who had directed her on Jake and the Kid. Because each season of the show takes place on one day, she never had a wardrobe change. She said, “You get six or seven multiples of the same outfit. Good thing I look good in blue. I had a navy blue suit with a light blue shirt.”

In 2013, Cooper was the screenwriter, co-producer and one of the lead actors on the Canadian film I Think I Do. The romantic comedy was set in Edmonton and also filmed on location in the city. Cooper portrayed the sister of characters portrayed by Mia Kirshner and Sara Canning, who together run a wedding planning company.