Owen Cooper just became a name no one in Hollywood will forget anytime soon. On Sunday night, the breakout British star took home the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for his role in Netflix’s Adolescence. 

The moment was a groundbreaking milestone. At only 15 years old, Cooper is officially the youngest male Emmy winner, surpassing a record that had stood for more than 50 years.

Cooper’s big win makes him the first 15-year-old Emmy winner in any acting category, an achievement that cements his place in television history. 

This incredible honor means the long-standing Scott Jacoby Emmy record is broken, which had been held since 1973. Jacoby won when he was only 16.

Owen Cooper Makes History as Youngest Male Emmy Winner

The award came for Cooper’s haunting portrayal of Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old student accused of murdering his classmate in Netflix’s four-episode limited series Adolescence. 

The role demanded emotional depth well beyond Cooper’s years, as Jamie’s arrest spirals into a family crisis that forces his parents to confront the unimaginable.

The series itself was a powerhouse at the Emmys, with nominations across multiple categories. Stephen Graham, who played Jamie’s father, was recognized for Best Actor, while Christine Tremarco and Erin Doherty both picked up nods for Best Supporting Actress. 

The show itself was up for Outstanding Limited Series, highlighting the Adolescence Netflix series Emmy buzz that has been building all season. 

Even with such a strong ensemble, it was Cooper’s performance that stood out, propelling him into the spotlight as an Owen Cooper Emmy winner with a career already off to an extraordinary start.

Beating Out a Stacked Field

Cooper’s Emmy win was no small feat. He faced a competitive lineup that included acclaimed actors like Rob Delaney, Peter Sarsgaard, Bill Camp, and Oscar-winner Javier Bardem.

To see a first-time actor triumph over such seasoned performers only highlights the power and authenticity Cooper brought to his debut role.

The win also adds to an already exciting awards season for the young star. Just a few months ago, he picked up Best Supporting Actor honors at the Gotham TV Awards, hinting at the momentum that would carry him straight to his Emmy night glory.

Surpassing a 50-Year Record

To grasp the magnitude of Cooper’s achievement, we have to go back to 1973. That year, Scott Jacoby won an Emmy for That Certain Summer, becoming the youngest male acting winner at age 16. 

For decades, no one even came close to breaking that mark, until Cooper’s historic win. Now, with the Scott Jacoby Emmy record broken, the Emmys have a new benchmark for excellence in television.

A Future as Bright as the Spotlight

Cooper himself has admitted he’s still processing his whirlwind of success. In a recent interview, he described his Emmy nomination as “crazy” and admitted the experience had not fully sunk in. If this is how his first role is being received, it’s hard to imagine where his career might go next.

For now, though, one thing is certain: the world will remember this as the year an unknown teenager from the UK stepped onto the Emmy stage and made history. With the youngest male Emmy winner title secured, Owen Cooper isn’t just a rising star; he’s a worldwide record-breaker.