Owen Cooper, 14, Shatters Emmy Record with Win for ‘Adolescence‘
Los Angeles - Owen Cooper has become the youngest-ever Emmy award winner, taking home the prize for best supporting actor in a limited series for his role in “Adolescence” at Sunday’s ceremony. The 14-year-old actor surpassed the previous record held by Roxana Zal, who was also 14 when she won in 1984 for “Something About Amelia.” Cooper’s win marks a notable moment for both the young actor and the critically acclaimed series, which dominated the night with a total of six Emmy wins.
The win for Cooper, and the overall success of “Adolescence,” underscores a growing trend of complex, character-driven narratives gaining recognition at major awards shows. The series, which explores challenging themes through a youth perspective, resonated with both critics and audiences, culminating in it’s impressive Emmy haul. This victory not only elevates Cooper’s career but also signals a potential shift in the industry towards recognizing emerging talent and impactful storytelling.
“Honestly, when I started these drama classes a couple years back, I didn’t expect to be even in the United States, never mind here,” Cooper said on stage while accepting his award.He extended gratitude to his family, co-star Stephen Graham, and the entire cast and crew, stating, “It may have my name on this award, but it really belongs to the people behind the camera and Stephen and … all the cast.”
Cooper was nominated alongside 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”).
Prior to the ceremony, Cooper expressed his excitement about potentially meeting fellow nominee Jake Gyllenhaal, who surprised him on the red carpet with a “lucky duck” charm – a tradition Gyllenhaal’s friend started when he was nominated for an Oscar for “Brokeback Mountain.” “It’s just a ‘lucky duck’ to keep in your pocket,” Gyllenhaal explained, “To give you a little bit of luck.”
“Adolescence” also secured wins for best limited series, best directing, best writing, best actor in a limited series for Stephen Graham (playing Jamie’s father, Eddie), and best supporting actress in a limited series for Erin Doherty (playing the forensic psychologist). Graham, accepting the writing Emmy alongside co-creator Jack Thorne, remarked, “We never expected our little program to have such a big impact.”
