Owen Cooper Makes Emmy History: Youngest Male Acting Winner at Age 15
At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, held September 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, 15-year-old British actor Owen Cooper made history. He won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for his debut role in Netflix’s Adolescence, becoming the youngest male actor ever to win a Primetime Emmy.
Cooper’s winning performance was as Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old adolescent accused of murder in Adolescence.
Adolescence is a striking limited series noted for its single-shot cinematography and its exploration of dark themes like teenage guilt, social media toxicity, and mental health.
The prior record in that acting category (Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie) was held by Michael A. Goorjian, who won at age 23 in 1994. Cooper shattered that record.
Cooper also became the youngest male Emmy winner across all acting categories.
The only person younger to ever win any Primetime Emmy was Roxana Zal, who took the award at age 14 for Something About Amelia in 1984 (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie). Cooper’s win does not change that overall record but does mark a milestone for male actors.
Owen Cooper (born December 5, 2009, in Warrington, England) had no prior screen credits before Adolescence. The role of Jamie Miller was his debut.
He was cast via drama schools in northern England; auditions were extensive, including over 500 candidates. Producers wanted someone unknown to play the role.
Filming took place when he was about 14.
In his acceptance speech, Cooper expressed surprise and humility. He said that he hadn’t expected to even get acting classes, let alone be on a U.S. stage receiving an Emmy.
He encouraged those watching to step out of their comfort zones, take risks, and focus on their passion, even if it feels embarrassing sometimes. “Tonight proves you can achieve anything in life if you listen, you focus, and step out of your comfort zone.”
Adolescence was one of the big winners of the night. It picked up several Emmys, including for direction, writing, and supporting performances.
Cooper’s win adds to a trend of younger actors breaking in with strong, serious roles and being recognized for depth and realism, rather than as child actors in lighter fare.
