At just 15, Cooper’s standout performance as Jaime Miller earns him the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie award, marking a record-breaking moment in Emmy history
Owen Cooper, the 15-year-old star of Netflix’s Adolescence, has made Emmy history. On Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Cooper won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, becoming the youngest-ever recipient in the category.
“This is so surreal,” Cooper shared. “When I started these drama classes, I didn’t expect to be in the United States, never mind here. But tonight proves that if you listen, focus, and step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything.” He thanked his parents, family, and the behind-the-scenes team, saying the award “belongs to the people behind the camera.”
Cooper was nominated alongside veterans such as Ashley Walters (Adolescence), Bill Camp (Presumed Innocent), Javier Bardem (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story), Peter Sarsgaard (Presumed Innocent), and Rob Delaney (Dying for Sex). His win breaks the previous record set by Michael A. Goorjian, who was 23 when he won for David’s Mother in 1994.
In Adolescence, Cooper plays Jaime Miller, a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a schoolmate. Speaking about the role earlier this year, he described the experience as “the best summer of my life to film,” calling it his first role and “the best role of my life.”
Cooper’s co-star Ashley Walters, 43, also received his first Emmy nomination for playing Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe in Adolescence. Walters called the recognition “crazy” and “surreal,” saying, “My name’s not usually thrown in the hat. I never thought in a million years I’d be getting an Emmy nomination. Man, this boy from Peckham!”
Other nominees brought gravitas and experience to the category. Bill Camp, 64, was recognized for his role as Raymond Horgan in Presumed Innocent, marking his second Emmy nomination after The Night Of in 2017. Peter Sarsgaard, 54, also nominated for Presumed Innocent, portrayed the principled prosecutor Tommy Molto, highlighting the character’s unwavering honesty.
Javier Bardem, 56, was honored for his performance as José Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, while also receiving a nod as a producer on the series. Rob Delaney, 48, was recognized for his portrayal of “Neighbor Guy” in Dying for Sex, a terminally ill woman-centered FX on Hulu series.
Cooper’s win represents a milestone not only for young actors but for the television industry as a whole, emphasizing the impact of powerful performances across age ranges. His achievement serves as inspiration for aspiring actors everywhere, proving that talent, dedication, and fearlessness can propel even the youngest performers into history-making moments.
