Darin Cooper was born in the rural town of Oakley, Kansas, the son of a plumber and a beautician. He attended Fort Hays State University before transferring as a senior and graduating from Kansas State University with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree. He immediately moved to Los Angeles and began a career in graphic design working as a freelance artist. Bored with working in offices, Cooper attended a commercial workshop with a college buddy and quickly picked up an agent. Not able to get off for auditions he quit designing and became a bartender on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California, for most of the 1990's. From 1993-1997 he diligently studied with the legendary acting teacher, Larry Moss. He has been working consistently since his first role on J.A.G. as a young Terry O'Quinn.