Owen Cooper Makes Golden Globe History at 16 With Supporting Actor Win

Owen Cooper has accomplished what many actors strive for their entire lives at the age of just 16. Cooper is now the youngest recipient of the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series, according to his historic victory at the 2026 ceremony. His powerful and emotionally gripping performance in Netflix's critically acclaimed limited series 'Adolescence' has not only won over global audiences but also earned him back-to-back victories across the biggest award platforms, marking the arrival of a remarkable new talent in the entertainment industry. 

Historic Golden Globe Win and Award Season Triumph

Owen Cooper, a sixteen-year-old British actor, made history at the 2026 Golden Globes with an incredible win. For his outstanding performance in the Netflix limited series 'Adolescence,' Cooper won the Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series trophy at Sunday night's ceremony in Beverly Hills. At the age of 16, Cooper became the youngest winner in that category, breaking the previous record held by Chris Colfer of Glee, who was 20 when he won in 2010. 

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Cooper's Globe victory is not a singular accomplishment. Earlier in the awards season, he made history at the Emmy Awards, where he became the youngest male actor ever to win a major acting Emmy for the same role in 'Adolescence.' In addition, he recently won the Critics' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Television Film, making his career trajectory one of the most remarkable in recent memory. 

Taking to the stage with visible disbelief, Cooper told the audience, "Wow, standing here with a Golden Globe, it does not feel real whatsoever. What an incredible journey me and my family have been put through. We are forever grateful for what these people have done for me and my family. What started off as, what I thought [was], I might be okay, I might be awful. I never know. So I took a risk, and I went to drama classes," expressing deep gratitude to his family and supporters for the whirlwind journey that brought him to Hollywood's grandest stages.

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"I was the only boy there. It was embarrassing," he recalled. "But I got through it, and I'm still very much an apprentice. So still learning every day. I'm still learning from the people that I sat in front of, you sat in front of me, who's inspired me." He went on to thank Netflix and those who have supported him before concluding: "Bring on 2026. You'll never walk alone."

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Breakout Role in 'Adolescence' and Global Impact

Cooper's award-winning performance comes from the critically acclaimed Netflix limited series 'Adolescence,' where he portrays Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old schoolboy caught up in a harrowing murder investigation and its ripple effects on his family and community. With over 141 million views in its first three months, the series, which also stars Stephen Graham, Christine Tremarco, and Amelie Pease, has become a global phenomenon. It tackles serious subjects including toxic masculinity, social pressures, and youth trauma. 

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In addition to showcasing Cooper's emotional depth and maturity much above his years, this role had placed him in the company of seasoned performers in a very competitive industry. He faced out against well-known actors like Billy Crudup (The Morning Show), Jason Isaacs and Walton Goggins (The White Lotus), Tramell Tillman (Severance), and even Ashley Walters, his co-star in Adolescence, at the Golden Globes. 

Beyond individual accolades, 'Adolescence' also shone at the Golden Globes with nominations for Best Limited Series and acting nods for co-stars Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty, reflecting the show's overall strength in storytelling and performance. 

Grounded Star on the Rise

Cooper maintains a pleasant sense of groundedness despite his rapid rise and accolades. In speeches and interviews, he has often candidly discussed about his early acting path, from being the sole guy in his drama class to taking the chance to follow his passion, and emphasized how much he continues to learn from more experienced performers around him.

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In addition to marking an incredible start for one of television's brightest young talents, Owen Cooper's unprecedented victories at the Emmy, Critics' Choice, and now Golden Globes also represent a change in how viewers and award organizations are welcoming extraordinary talent at progressively younger ages. His journey so far suggests a future filled with promise, and perhaps many more milestones yet to come.

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