Dominic Cooper

Dominic Edward Cooper (born 2 June 1978)[1] is an English actor who has worked in television, film, theatre, and radio.[2] He is perhaps best 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 TV series Agent Carter (2015–16), among other Marvel productions. Cooper also played Sky in Mamma Mia! and its 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

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

Dominic Cooper
Cooper in 2015
Born
Dominic Edward Cooper

(1978-06-02) 2 June 1978
Greenwich, London, England
Alma materLondon Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
OccupationActor
Years active2000–present

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 like Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) and Need for Speed (2014).

Early life

Cooper was born and brought up in Greenwich, London,[3] the son of Julie (née Heron), a nursery school teacher, and Brian Cooper, an auctioneer.[4][5] He has two brothers, Simon and Nathan, a musician in the band The Modern, a half-brother, James, and a half-sister, Emma.[6][7] 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 acting and film editing, graduating in 2000.[8]

Career
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.[9] 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.[10][11][12] 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.[13] The same year, he appeared opposite Keira Knightley in The Duchess as Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey.[14] 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.[15]

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 criticized for whitewashing and portrayed Milton H. Greene in My Week with Marilyn.[14] 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.[16] In February 2012, he signed on to replace Clive Owen the financial thriller Cities, ultimately leaving Motor City.[17] Cities was cancelled after production delays.

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.[14][18] 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 adaption of His Dark Materials and both Theatrical and film versions of The History Boys.[19]

Cooper played Jesse Custer, the lead role in AMC's Preacher;[20] the programme debuted in May 2016. He co-starred in the Warcraft film adaptation, which was released in June 2016.[21] 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.[22]

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

Recognition and awards

Cooper was nominated for a 2006 Drama Desk Award for his work on the Broadway production of The History Boys.[23] Additionally, he received nominations for the British Independent Film Award, British Film Critics' Circle Award, London Critics' Circle Film Award, and an Empire Award for his role in the film adaption of the play.[24]

In 2010, his film An Education received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for "Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture". His turn as Sadaam Hussein's son and his body double in The Devil's Double was praised by critics and, in turn, he was nominated for the 2012 Saturn Award for Best Actor.

Cooper's television work has also been recognised; in 2014 he was nominated for a Satellite Award for "Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television" for Fleming and in 2015 his guest performance as Howard Stark on Agent Carter was nominated for a Saturn Award.[25]

Personal life

Cooper shared a flat with his co-star in The History Boys and Starter for 10, James Corden, until Corden started a family with his wife, Julia Carey.[26] 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.[27] He is also the godfather of Corden's first child, Max.[28]

Cooper dated his Mamma Mia! co-star Amanda Seyfried on and off from 2008 to 2010.[29] From 2010 to 2016, he was in a relationship with 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.[30][31][32] Despite breaking up in 2016, the press first reported the split in April 2018.[33][34] In December 2018, Cooper made his first public appearance with his girlfriend actress Gemma Chan at the British Fashion Awards.[35]

Politics

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.[36]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2001From HellConstable
2001AnazaptaClerk
2002The Gentleman ThiefPC Merrifield
2002The Final CurtainYoung Priest
2003Boudica
2003I'll Be ThereBoyfriend
2005Breakfast on PlutoSquaddie at disco
2006Starter for 10SpencerNominated – Empire Award for Best Male Newcomer
2006The History BoysDakinNominated – ALFS Award for British Supporting Actor of the Year
Nominated – British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer
Nominated – Empire Award for Best Male Newcomer
2008The DuchessCharles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
2008Mamma Mia!Sky
2008The EscapistLacey
2009Brief Interviews with Hideous MenDaniel / Subject 46
2009FreefallDave Matthews
2009An EducationDannyNominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2010Tamara DreweBen
2011A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's AdventuresSammyVoice
2011Captain America: The First AvengerHoward Stark
2011The Devil's DoubleLatif Yahia / Uday HusseinNominated – Saturn Award for Best Actor
2011My Week with MarilynMilton H. GreeneCapri Ensemble Cast Award
2011Hello CarterCarterShort film
2012Abraham Lincoln: Vampire HunterHenry Sturges
2013Dead Man DownDarcy
2013Summer in FebruaryAJ Munnings
2013Agent CarterHoward StarkShort film
2014Reasonable DoubtMitch Brockden
2014Need for SpeedDino Brewster
2014Dracula UntoldMehmed II
2015Miss You AlreadyKit
2015The Lady in the VanTheatre Actor
2016WarcraftKing Llane Wrynn
2017StrattonJohn Stratton
2017The EscapeMark
2018Mamma Mia! Here We Go AgainSky

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2001The Infinite Worlds of H. G. WellsSidney DavidsonEpisode: "Davidson's Eyes"
2001Band of BrothersAllingtonEpisode: "Currahee"
2003Sparkling CyanideAndy HoffmanTelevision film
2004Down To EarthDanny WoodEpisode: "First Love"
2008Sense and SensibilityMr. Willoughby3 episodes
2008God on TrialMocheTelevision film
2014Fleming: The Man Who Would Be BondIan FlemingMiniseries; Lead role, 4 episodes
Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television
2015–16Agent CarterHoward Stark5 episodes
Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Guest Performance in a Television Series (2015)
2016–19PreacherJesse CusterLead role, also executive producer (season 3–4); 43 episodes
2018The Grand TourHimself (guest)Series 2, Episode 5
2020 Spy City Fielding Scott Miniseries (released in Germany); Lead role, 6 episodes
2021What If...?Howard Stark (voice)Guest role
In voice recording process
TBAPeacockAndy PeacockTelevision film, pre-production

Radio
Year Title Role Notes
2005The All-Colour Vegetarian CookbookDamien
2006The History BoysDakin

Theatre
Year Title Role Venue Run Notes
1999 Charley's Aunt Repertory Theatre August 1999
2001-02Mother Clap's Molly HouseThomas / JoshNational Theatre – Lyttelton Sept – Nov 2001 Original production
2002Caryl Churchill EventsCliff / Young Man Royal Court Theatre October 2002 Off-West End readings
2002A Midsummer Night's DreamPuckRoyal Shakespeare Theatre Feb – Mar 2002
England, Spain, U.S. Mar – June 2002 International tour
Barbican Theatre Apr – May 2002 London residency during tour
2003Call to PrayerOperating Theatre CompanyN/A RADA reading
2003–04His Dark MaterialsWillNational Theatre – Olivier Dec 2003 – Mar 2004 Original production
2004-06 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
Nominated – Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
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

References
  1. Southern, Nathan. "Dominic Cooper". All Media Guide / Rovi via The New York Times. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  2. Higgins, Charlotte (12 February 2011). "Dominic Cooper leaves Mamma Mia! far behind to play Saddam's son". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  3. Mottram, James (14 October 2013). "Interview: Dominic Cooper – 'I nearly broke Ronnie Wood's shoulder'". The Independent. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  4. Das, Lina (8 October 2009). "Super Cooper: Dominic Cooper's Hollywood education". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 23 February 2014. There are few 31-year-old actors who can claim...
  5. 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
  6. D’Silva, Interviews by Beverley. "Relative Values: the actor Dominic Cooper, and his brother Nathan". Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  7. Cadwalladr, Carole (6 August 2011). "Dominic Cooper: the devil inside". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  8. 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.
  9. Bennett, Alan; Hytner, Nicholas (14 November 2006). The History Boys The Film. Faber & Faber. p. viii. ISBN 0-86547-971-2.
  10. "Internet Broadway Database: Dominic Cooper Credits on Broadway". Retrieved 17 October 2006.
  11. "National Theatre : Productions : The History Boys 2004". Retrieved 17 October 2006.
  12. "The History Boys". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 March 2006. Retrieved 17 October 2006.
  13. "Nick Hytner's history boys". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  14. 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. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  15. Spencer, Charles (12 June 2009). "Phèdre with Helen Mirren at the National Theatre, review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  16. Taylor, Drew. "Gerard Butler Revenge Thriller 'Motor City' Suffers Engine Failure | IndieWire". www.indiewire.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  17. "Dominic Cooper Moves to the 'Cities'". MTV News. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  18. Foundas, Scott (30 September 2014). "Film Review: 'Dracula Untold'". Variety. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  19. Barraclough, Leo (24 September 2014). "First Look: Drew Barrymore, Toni Collette Shoot 'Miss You Already' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  20. "Preacher: Dominic Cooper is Jesse Custer – IGN". IGN. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  21. Collura, Scott (4 December 2013). "Ben Foster and Dominic Cooper Head for Warcraft". IGN. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  22. Billington, Michael (27 September 2016). "The Libertine review – Dominic Cooper is riveting as rakish hero". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  23. "2006 – Drama Desk Awards – Nominations". Archived from the original on 7 October 2006. Retrieved 17 October 2006.
  24. Dawtrey, Adam (15 December 2006). "London critics favor 'Queen'". Variety. Retrieved 16 December 2006.
  25. "Dominic Cooper". IMDb. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  26. Cadwalladr, Carole (7 August 2011). "Dominic Cooper: the devil inside". The Guardian. London.
  27. The Late Late Show with James Corden (17 May 2016), Kristin Chenoweth Forgives You, retrieved 26 August 2017
  28. "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. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  29. "Dominic Cooper says it'll be 'odd' to reunite with ex-girlfriend Amanda Seyfried in Mamma Mia sequel".
  30. Notaro, Vicki (23 May 2016). "How Oscar-tipped Ruth Negga's star has finally ascended..." Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  31. McBride, Caitlin (8 June 2016). "Irish actress Ruth Negga and Dominic Cooper make rare public appearance at Warcraft premiere". Irish Independent. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  32. "Loving Star Ruth Negga on Biracial Politics: "I Get Very Territorial About My Identity"". Vogue. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  33. "Ruth Negga Talks Diversity, Hamlet And Her Split From Dominic Cooper". Marie Claire. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  34. Marcus, Emily (5 April 2018). "Dominic Cooper and Ruth Negga Split After 8 Years Together". Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  35. "Gemma Chan, Dominic Cooper Make First Public Appearance as a Couple". Us Weekly. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  36. "Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories". The Guardian. London. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
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