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Dominic Cooper

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For the British novelist, see Dominic Cooper (author).

Dominic Cooper
Cooper at the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con
Born (1978-06-02) 2 June 1978 (age 46)
Greenwich, London, England
Alma materLondon Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
OccupationActor
Years active2001–present
Partner(s)Ruth Negga
(2010–2016)
Gemma Chan
(2018–present)

Dominic Cooper (born 2 June 1978)[1][2] is an English actor[3] known for his portrayal of comic book characters Jesse Custer on the AMC show Preacher (2016–2019) and young Howard Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with appearances in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and the ABC series Agent Carter (2015–2016), among other Marvel productions. Cooper played Sky in Mamma Mia! (2008) and its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018).

Early in his career, Cooper was cast in significant roles in productions by the Royal National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company; he received acclaim for originating the role of Dakin in the 2004 play The History Boys with which, in 2006, he returned to the West End, transferred to Broadway, and adapted to film. Since that time, he has acted in a series of British and American productions, including the acclaimed period pieces An Education (2009) and My Week with Marilyn (2011), as well as action films, such as Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) and Need for Speed (2014).

Early life and education

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Cooper was born and brought up in Greenwich, London,[4] the son of Julie (née Heron), a nursery school teacher, and Brian Cooper, an auctioneer.[5][6] He has two brothers, Simon and Nathan, a musician in the band The Modern, a half-brother, James, and a half-sister, Emma.[7][8] His maternal great-grandfather was film-enthusiast E. T. Heron, who published The Kinematograph Weekly.

Dominic attended John Ball Primary School in Blackheath, London, followed by Thomas Tallis School in nearby Kidbrooke, then trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) in Professional Acting, graduating in 2000.[9]

Career

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A brunette man stares to his left as he signs autographs
Cooper at the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival for The Devil's Double

Cooper first worked in television and film before making his stage debut in Mother Clap's Molly House at the National Theatre in 2001. Cooper was involved in Alan Bennett's play The History Boys, as the character Dakin, from its first reading.[10] He also toured with the production to Broadway, Sydney, Wellington and Hong Kong as well as appearing in the radio and film adaptations of the play.[11][12][13] He has had notable roles in the Royal National Theatre's adaptation of the His Dark Materials trilogy where he played the lead character Will Parry, the TV series Down To Earth and Sense & Sensibility.

In 2008, he appeared as Sky in Mamma Mia!, in which he sang several songs.[14] The same year, he appeared opposite Keira Knightley in The Duchess as Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey.[15] He starred in films An Education and Freefall in 2009 and also played Hippolytus in Phèdre at the National Theatre alongside Helen Mirren and Margaret Tyzack.[16]

In 2010, he played rock drummer Ben in the film Tamara Drewe, and in 2011 played the leading roles of Latif Yahia and Uday Hussein, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's son in the biographical film The Devil's Double, which was critically acclaimed but criticised for whitewashing, and portrayed Milton H. Greene in My Week with Marilyn.[15] 2011 was also the year Cooper first appeared as Howard Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Initially appearing in the film Captain America: The First Avenger, he reprised his role in the Marvel One-Shot Agent Carter two years later, and in the television series of the same name in 2015 and 2016.

In 2012, he appeared as vampire Henry Sturges in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Around this time, he was cast in the lead role in the unproduced Albert Hughes project Motor City based on the Black Listed script of the same name.[17] In February 2012, he signed on to replace Clive Owen the financial thriller Cities, ultimately leaving Motor City.[18] Cities was cancelled after production delays.

A brunette man wearing a fedora, white t-shirt, and black jacket laughs as he looks off to the crowd
Cooper at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con to promote Preacher

In 2014, he portrayed the main antagonist in two films: Dino Brewster in Need for Speed and Mehmed in Dracula Untold.[15][19] Cooper depicted James Bond author Ian Fleming in the television mini-series Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond in 2014. The next year, he appeared in two films, Miss You Already and The Lady in the Van, a film by Nicholas Hytner, who had previously directed him in the stage adaptation of His Dark Materials and both theatrical and film versions of The History Boys.[20]

Cooper played Jesse Custer, the lead role in AMC's Preacher;[21] the programme debuted in May 2016. He co-starred in the Warcraft film adaptation, which was released in June 2016.[22] In late 2016, he starred in a well-received West End revival of Stephen Jeffreys' 1994 play, The Libertine at the Haymarket Theatre; he played John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, the role originated on stage by John Malkovich and played by Johnny Depp in the 2004 film.[23]

Cooper reprised his role of Sky in 2018's sequel film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Personal life

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Cooper shared a flat with James Corden, his co-star in The History Boys and Starter for 10, until Corden started a family with his wife, Julia Carey.[24] Cooper was responsible for introducing Corden to Julia, whom he had known for years and who was working at Save the Children when he and Corden called in one night.[25] He is also the godfather of Corden's first child, Max.[26]

Cooper dated his Mamma Mia! co-star Amanda Seyfried on and off from 2008 to 2009. From 2010 to 2016, he was in a relationship with Irish actress Ruth Negga. They first met in 2009 on the set of the National Theatre's production of Phèdre, and starred opposite each other in other projects including the 2011 short film Hello Carter, the 2016 film Warcraft, and AMC's Preacher (2016–2019). They lived together in London's Primrose Hill.[27][28][29] Despite breaking up in 2016, the press first reported the split in April 2018.[30][31] Cooper has been in a relationship with actress Gemma Chan since 2018.[32]

Politics

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In August 2014, he was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian expressing their hope that Scotland would vote to remain part of the United Kingdom in September's referendum on that issue.[33] In 2023, he also signed artists4ceasefire, an open letter to president Joe Biden to de-escalate the 2023 Israel-Palestine war and to call for a ceasefire.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2001 From Hell Constable
2002 The Gentleman Thief PC Merrifield
Anazapta Clerk
The Final Curtain Young Priest
2003 I'll Be There Boyfriend
Boudica
2005 Breakfast on Pluto Squaddie at disco Ruth Negga also appeared
2006 The History Boys Dakin
Starter for 10 Spencer
2008 The Escapist Lacey
Mamma Mia! Sky Rymand
The Duchess Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
2009 An Education Danny
Brief Interviews with Hideous Men Daniel / Subject 46
Freefall Dave Matthews
2010 Tamara Drewe Ben
2011 A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures Sammy Voice
Captain America: The First Avenger Howard Stark
The Devil's Double Latif Yahia / Uday Hussein
My Week with Marilyn Milton H. Greene
Hello Carter Carter Short film
2012 Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Henry Sturges
2013 Dead Man Down Darcy
Summer in February AJ Munnings
Agent Carter Howard Stark Short film
2014 Reasonable Doubt Mitch Brockden
Need for Speed Dino Brewster
Dracula Untold Mehmed II
2015 Miss You Already Kit
The Lady in the Van Theatre Actor
2016 Warcraft King Llane Wrynn
2017 Stratton John Stratton
The Escape Mark
2018 Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again Sky Rymand
2022 The Princess Julius
TBA Cry from the Sea Seamus In production[34]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2001 The Infinite Worlds of H. G. Wells Sidney Davidson Episode: "Davidson's Eyes"
Band of Brothers Allington Episode: "Currahee"
2003 Sparkling Cyanide Andy Hoffman Television film
2004 Down To Earth Danny Wood Episode: "First Love"
2008 Sense and Sensibility Mr. Willoughby 3 episodes
God on Trial Moche Television film
2014 Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond Ian Fleming Miniseries; Lead role, 4 episodes
2015–2016 Agent Carter Howard Stark 5 episodes
2016–2019 Preacher Jesse Custer Lead role, also executive producer (season 3–4); 43 episodes
2018 The Grand Tour Himself (guest) Series 2, Episode 5
2020 Spy City Fielding Scott Miniseries; Lead role, 6 episodes; released in USA in 2021
2021 What If...? Howard Stark (voice) Episode: "What If... Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?"
2022 That Dirty Black Bag Arthur McCoy Lead role, 8 episodes
2023 The Gold Edwyn Cooper Main role, 6 episodes[35]
2024 My Lady Jane Lord Seymour Main role, 8 episodes[36]
2024 Suspect Jon Main role, 8 episodes[37]
TBA The Last Frontier Havlock Upcoming series

Radio

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Year Title Role Notes
2005 The All-Colour Vegetarian Cookbook Damien
2006 The History Boys Dakin

Theatre credits

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Year Title Role Venue Run Notes
1999 Charley's Aunt Repertory Theatre August 1999
2001–2002 Mother Clap's Molly House Thomas / Josh National Theatre – Lyttelton Sept – Nov 2001 Original production
2002 Caryl Churchill Events Cliff / Young Man Royal Court Theatre October 2002 Off-West End readings
A Midsummer Night's Dream Puck Royal Shakespeare Theatre Feb – Mar 2002
England, Spain, U.S. Mar – June 2002 International tour
Barbican Theatre Apr – May 2002 London residency during tour
2003 Call to Prayer Operating Theatre Company — RADA reading
2003–2004 His Dark Materials Will National Theatre – Olivier Dec 2003 – Mar 2004 Original production
2004–2006 The History Boys Dakin National Theatre – Lyttelton May – July 2004 Original production
Nov 2005 – Feb 2006
HKAPA February 2006 International tour
St. James Theatre February 2006
Sydney Theatre March 2006
Broadhurst Theatre Apr – Oct 2006 Broadway transfer
2009 Phèdre Hippolytus Lyttelton Theatre June 2009
Shakespeare Theatre Company September 2009 Washington, D.C. transfer
2016 The Libertine John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester Theatre Royal Aug – Sep 2016
Theatre Royal Haymarket Sep – Dec 2016 West End transfer

Awards and recognition

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Awards and nominations received by Dominic Cooper
Award Year Category Nominated work Result Ref(s)
British Independent Film Awards 2006 Best Newcomer The History Boys Nominated [38]
Capri Hollywood International Film Festival 2011 Best Ensemble Cast My Week with Marilyn Nominated
Dublin Film Critics' Circle 2007 Best Lead Actor The Devil's Double Nominated
Drama Desk Award 2006 Best Actor The History Boys Nominated [39]
Empire Awards 2007 Best Male Newcomer The History Boys and Starter for 10 Nominated
London Film Critics' Circle Awards Best British Supporting Actor The History Boys Nominated [40]
Online Film & Television Association 2015 Best Guest Actor in a Drama Agent Carter Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2010 Best Performance by an Ensemble An Education Nominated
Satellite Awards 2015 Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie made for Television Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond Nominated
Saturn Awards 2011 Best Actor Devil's Double Nominated
2015 Best Guest Actor Agent Carter Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Mike Rose, cleveland com (2 June 2024). "Famous birthdays list for today, June 2, 2024 includes celebrities Awkwafina, Morena Baccarin". cleveland. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  2. ^ Southern, Nathan (2014). "Dominic Cooper". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  3. ^ Higgins, Charlotte (12 February 2011). "Dominic Cooper leaves Mamma Mia! far behind to play Saddam's son". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  4. ^ Mottram, James (14 October 2013). "Interview: Dominic Cooper – 'I nearly broke Ronnie Wood's shoulder'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  5. ^ Das, Lina (8 October 2009). "Super Cooper: Dominic Cooper's Hollywood education". London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014. There are few 31-year-old actors who can claim...
  6. ^ Riegel, Katie (26 September 2007). "Dominic Cooper, Fresh Face". Broadway.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2006. Age: 27
  7. ^ D'Silva, Interviews by Beverley. "Relative Values: the actor Dominic Cooper, and his brother Nathan". Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  8. ^ Cadwalladr, Carole (6 August 2011). "Dominic Cooper: the devil inside". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  9. ^ Porter, Mr. "Mr Dominic Cooper | The Look | The Journal | Mr Porter". Mr Porter. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  10. ^ Bennett, Alan; Hytner, Nicholas (14 November 2006). The History Boys The Film. Faber & Faber. p. viii. ISBN 0-86547-971-2.
  11. ^ "Internet Broadway Database: Dominic Cooper Credits on Broadway". Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2006.
  12. ^ "National Theatre : Productions : The History Boys 2004". Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2006.
  13. ^ "The History Boys". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 March 2006. Archived from the original on 9 December 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2006.
  14. ^ "Nick Hytner's history boys". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 3 November 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  15. ^ a b c Walden, Celia (13 June 2012). "Dominic Cooper: "There's too much gravitas given to people who dress up in frocks and dance around"". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  16. ^ Spencer, Charles (12 June 2009). "Phèdre with Helen Mirren at the National Theatre, review". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  17. ^ Taylor, Drew (2 September 2012). "Gerard Butler Revenge Thriller 'Motor City' Suffers Engine Failure | IndieWire". www.indiewire.com. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  18. ^ "Dominic Cooper Moves to the 'Cities'". MTV News. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  19. ^ Foundas, Scott (30 September 2014). "Film Review: 'Dracula Untold'". Variety. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  20. ^ Barraclough, Leo (24 September 2014). "First Look: Drew Barrymore, Toni Collette Shoot 'Miss You Already' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  21. ^ "Preacher: Dominic Cooper is Jesse Custer – IGN". IGN. 17 April 2015. Archived from the original on 15 May 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  22. ^ Collura, Scott (4 December 2013). "Ben Foster and Dominic Cooper Head for Warcraft". IGN. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  23. ^ Billington, Michael (27 September 2016). "The Libertine review – Dominic Cooper is riveting as rakish hero". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  24. ^ Cadwalladr, Carole (7 August 2011). "Dominic Cooper: the devil inside". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  25. ^ The Late Late Show with James Corden (17 May 2016), Kristin Chenoweth Forgives You, archived from the original on 11 November 2021, retrieved 26 August 2017
  26. ^ "Dominic Cooper on James Corden: "I knew the first day I met him...", John Malkovich, Dominic Cooper, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and a Strictly Come Dancing announcement, The Chris Evans Breakfast Show – BBC Radio 2". BBC. 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  27. ^ Notaro, Vicki (23 May 2016). "How Oscar-tipped Ruth Negga's star has finally ascended..." Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  28. ^ McBride, Caitlin (8 June 2016). "Irish actress Ruth Negga and Dominic Cooper make rare public appearance at Warcraft premiere". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  29. ^ "Loving Star Ruth Negga on Biracial Politics: "I Get Very Territorial About My Identity"". Vogue. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  30. ^ "Ruth Negga Talks Diversity, Hamlet And Her Split From Dominic Cooper". Marie Claire. 8 August 2018. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  31. ^ Marcus, Emily (5 April 2018). "Dominic Cooper and Ruth Negga Split After 8 Years Together". Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  32. ^ Tsjeng, Zind (5 August 2021). ""The Industry Has Shifted. Changing The Culture Takes Longer": Gemma Chan Is Finally Taking The Lead". British Vogue. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  33. ^ "Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories". The Guardian. London. 7 August 2014. Archived from the original on 17 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  34. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (19 September 2023). "Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon Star in Irish Period Drama 'Cry From The Sea' (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  35. ^ "DNA Family Secrets". bbc.co.uk. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 6 October 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  36. ^ "Hear ye, Hear ye! Prime Video Unveils Additional Casting for My Lady Jane". Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  37. ^ https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/suspect-season-2-first-look-cast-newsupdate/ [bare URL]
  38. ^ "Winners Nominations · BIFA · British Independent Film Awards". BIFA · British Independent Film Awards. 24 October 2006. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  39. ^ "2006 – Drama Desk Awards – Nominations". Archived from the original on 7 October 2006. Retrieved 17 October 2006.
  40. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (15 December 2006). "London critics favor 'Queen'". Variety. Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2006.
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