Emmy 2025: Fifteen-year-old Owen Cooper has created a unique history by winning an Emmy Award. He has become the youngest actor to win the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series. This achievement is not only important for his career, but it is an inspiration for all those young people who dream big.
When the shooting of “Adolescence” began, Cooper was just 14 years old. This was his first professional acting project. In this show, he played the role of a teenager named Jamie, who was arrested for the murder of his classmate. The story of the show is based on very serious topics, yet Cooper played it with such depth and maturity that it won the hearts of the audience.
It was viewed more than 140 million times in the first three months after its release on Netflix. The show not only became a medium of entertainment, but also became the center of global discussion on online “incel” culture and its effects on real life. Every episode was shot continuously without any cuts, which further reinforced the truth and emotional impact of the story.
“To be honest, when I started drama class a few years ago, I never imagined I’d be in America. It’s a dream,” an emotional Cooper said at the awards ceremony. He thanked his family, co-stars, and especially the show’s co-creator and actor Stephen Graham. “This award may have my name on it, but the real credit goes to everyone behind the camera and the whole team,” Cooper said.
This achievement makes him one of the youngest actors to win an Emmy. The record was previously held by actress Roxana Zal, who won the award in 1984 at the age of 14.
Cooper had tough competition from his peers. He was up against big names like Ashley Walters (Adolescence), Javier Bardem (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story), Bill Camp and Peter Sarsgaard (Presumed Innocent), and Rob Delaney (Dying for Sex). Despite this, Cooper won everyone’s heart with his spontaneity and brilliant acting.
Cooper had expressed a desire to meet Emmy-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal before the ceremony. Gyllenhaal surprised him on the red carpet with a gift of a “lucky duck” that a friend sent him after he received an Oscar nomination for “Brokeback Mountain.” “It’s just a lucky duck to keep in your pocket. For a little luck,” Gyllenhaal said with a laugh.
“Adolescence” won more awards Sunday evening. The show also won best limited series, best directing, best writing, best actor in a limited series (Stephen Graham), and best supporting actress in a limited series (Erin Doherty), for Doherty, who played the forensic psychologist who evaluates Jamie.
“We never thought our little show would have such a big impact,” Stephen Graham said as he accepted the award, along with writer Jack Thorne.
Owen Cooper’s win is not just a recognition of his acting skills, but also shows that a new generation of actors can make it to the big stage. This story is an inspiration for all those youngsters who are working hard to achieve their dreams.