Dominic Cooper

Cooper was born and brought up in Greenwich, London,{{cite news |first=James |last=Mottram |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/interview-dominic-cooper--i-nearly-broke-ronnie-woods-shoulder-8877311.html |title=Interview: Dominic Cooper – 'I nearly broke Ronnie Wood's shoulder' |newspaper=The Independent |date=14 October 2013 |access-date=9 May 2014 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925035056/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/interview-dominic-cooper--i-nearly-broke-ronnie-woods-shoulder-8877311.html |url-status=live}} the son of Julie (née Heron), a nursery school teacher, and Brian Cooper, an auctioneer.{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/super-cooper-dominic-coopers-hollywood-education-6797414.html |title=Super Cooper: Dominic Cooper's Hollywood education |first=Lina |last=Das |date=8 October 2009 |work=London Evening Standard |quote=There are few 31-year-old actors who can claim... |access-date=23 February 2014 |archive-date=1 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301082944/http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/super-cooper-dominic-coopers-hollywood-education-6797414.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=527884 |title=Dominic Cooper, Fresh Face |date=26 September 2007 |access-date=17 October 2006 |first=Katie |last=Riegel |publisher=Broadway.com |quote=Age: 27 |archive-date=26 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926212559/http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=527884}} He has two brothers, Simon and Nathan, a musician in the band The Modern, a half-brother, James, and a half-sister, Emma.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/relative-values-the-actor-dominic-cooper-and-his-brother-nathan-xxtbqgvw3lk|title=Relative Values: the actor Dominic Cooper, and his brother Nathan|last=D'Silva|first=Interviews by Beverley|access-date=30 June 2017|language=en|archive-date=4 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804053031/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/relative-values-the-actor-dominic-cooper-and-his-brother-nathan-xxtbqgvw3lk|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2011/aug/07/dominic-cooper-devils-double-uday|title=Dominic Cooper: the devil inside|last=Cadwalladr|first=Carole|date=6 August 2011|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 June 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018082258/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2011/aug/07/dominic-cooper-devils-double-uday|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrporter.com/journal/journal_issue152/1#1|title=Mr Dominic Cooper {{!}} The Look {{!}} The Journal {{!}} Mr Porter |last=Porter |first=Mr |website=Mr Porter |access-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804052712/https://www.mrporter.com/journal/journal_issue152/1#1|archive-date=4 August 2017|url-status=dead}}

File:Dominic Cooper (Berlin Film Festival 2011).jpg 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.{{cite book |last1=Bennett |first1=Alan |author-link=Alan Bennett |first2=Nicholas |last2=Hytner |title=The History Boys The Film |publisher=Faber & Faber |date=14 November 2006 |isbn=0-86547-971-2 |page=viii}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=412501 |title=Internet Broadway Database: Dominic Cooper Credits on Broadway |access-date=17 October 2006 |archive-date=10 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410045620/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/dominic-cooper-412501 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/?lid=7785 |title=National Theatre : Productions : The History Boys 2004 |access-date=17 October 2006 |archive-date=11 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411153959/http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/?lid=7785 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/arts-reviews/the-history-boys/2006/02/13/1139679513099.html |title=The History Boys |access-date=17 October 2006 |date=9 March 2006 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-date=9 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209222717/http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts-reviews/the-history-boys/2006/02/13/1139679513099.html |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/the-lady-in-the-van/nick-hytner-history-boys/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103115336/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/the-lady-in-the-van/nick-hytner-history-boys/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 November 2015|title=Nick Hytner's history boys|access-date=23 May 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph}} The same year, he appeared opposite Keira Knightley in The Duchess as Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey. 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/5513575/Phedre-with-Helen-Mirren-at-the-National-Theatre-review.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/5513575/Phedre-with-Helen-Mirren-at-the-National-Theatre-review.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Phèdre with Helen Mirren at the National Theatre, review|date=12 June 2009|last=Spencer|first=Charles|access-date=23 May 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}

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. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2012/09/gerard-butler-revenge-thriller-motor-city-suffers-engine-failure-251257/|title=Gerard Butler Revenge Thriller 'Motor City' Suffers Engine Failure {{!}} IndieWire|last=Taylor|first=Drew|website=www.indiewire.com|date=2 September 2012|language=en|access-date=30 June 2017|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031140028/https://www.indiewire.com/2012/09/gerard-butler-revenge-thriller-motor-city-suffers-engine-failure-251257/|url-status=live}} In February 2012, he signed on to replace Clive Owen the financial thriller Cities, ultimately leaving Motor City.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2810136/dominic-cooper-moves-to-the-cities/|title=Dominic Cooper Moves to the 'Cities'|work=MTV News|access-date=30 June 2017|language=en|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407230442/https://www.mtv.com/news/acie49/dominic-cooper-moves-to-the-cities|url-status=dead}} Cities was cancelled after production delays.

File:Dominic Cooper (27974185534).jpg to promote Preacher]]

In 2014, he portrayed the main antagonist in two films: Dino Brewster in Need for Speed and Mehmed in Dracula Untold.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9314341/Dominic-Cooper-Theres-too-much-gravitas-given-to-people-who-dress-up-in-frocks-and-dance-around.html|title=Dominic Cooper: "There's too much gravitas given to people who dress up in frocks and dance around"|date=13 June 2012|last=Walden|first=Celia|access-date=23 May 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|archive-date=14 December 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131214113032/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9314341/Dominic-Cooper-Theres-too-much-gravitas-given-to-people-who-dress-up-in-frocks-and-dance-around.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-dracula-untold-1201317748/|title=Film Review: 'Dracula Untold'|date=30 September 2014|last=Foundas|first=Scott|access-date=23 May 2016|work=Variety|archive-date=6 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606073106/http://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-dracula-untold-1201317748/|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/first-look-drew-barrymore-toni-collette-shoot-miss-you-already-exclusive-1201312797/|title=First Look: Drew Barrymore, Toni Collette Shoot 'Miss You Already' (EXCLUSIVE)|date=24 September 2014|last=Barraclough|first=Leo|access-date=23 May 2016|work=Variety|archive-date=10 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610114257/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/first-look-drew-barrymore-toni-collette-shoot-miss-you-already-exclusive-1201312797/|url-status=live}}

Cooper played Jesse Custer, the lead role in AMC's Preacher;{{Cite web|title=Preacher: Dominic Cooper is Jesse Custer – IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/17/preacher-dominic-cooper-is-jesse-custer|website=IGN|date=17 April 2015|access-date=4 December 2015|archive-date=15 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515175212/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/17/preacher-dominic-cooper-is-jesse-custer|url-status=live}} the programme debuted in May 2016. He co-starred in the Warcraft film adaptation, which was released in June 2016.{{cite web |last=Collura |first=Scott |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/12/05/ben-foster-and-dominic-cooper-head-for-warcraft |title=Ben Foster and Dominic Cooper Head for Warcraft |date=4 December 2013 |website=IGN |access-date=5 December 2013 |archive-date=9 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709024615/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/12/05/ben-foster-and-dominic-cooper-head-for-warcraft |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/sep/27/the-libertine-review-dominic-cooper-stephen-jeffreys.html|title=The Libertine review – Dominic Cooper is riveting as rakish hero|date=27 September 2016|last=Billington|first=Michael|access-date=5 December 2016|work=The Guardian}}

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

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2011/aug/07/dominic-cooper-devils-double-uday |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Carole |last=Cadwalladr |title=Dominic Cooper: the devil inside |date=7 August 2011 |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018082258/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2011/aug/07/dominic-cooper-devils-double-uday |url-status=live}} 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.{{Citation|last=The Late Late Show with James Corden|title=Kristin Chenoweth Forgives You|date=17 May 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET-Ggl509CY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211111/ET-Ggl509CY |archive-date=11 November 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=26 August 2017}}{{cbignore}} He is also the godfather of Corden's first child, Max.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0455bjb|title=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|website=BBC|date=19 August 2016|access-date=30 June 2017|archive-date=27 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927174706/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0455bjb|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/how-oscartipped-ruth-neggas-star-has-finally-ascended-34730596.html|title=How Oscar-tipped Ruth Negga's star has finally ascended...|date=23 May 2016|last=Notaro|first=Vicki|access-date=23 May 2016|work=Irish Independent|archive-date=28 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728071409/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/how-oscartipped-ruth-neggas-star-has-finally-ascended-34730596.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/irish-actress-ruth-negga-and-dominic-cooper-make-rare-public-appearance-at-warcraft-premiere-34783050.html|title=Irish actress Ruth Negga and Dominic Cooper make rare public appearance at Warcraft premiere|date=8 June 2016|last=McBride|first=Caitlin|access-date=9 June 2016|work=Irish Independent|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108101832/https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/irish-actress-ruth-negga-and-dominic-cooper-make-rare-public-appearance-at-warcraft-premiere-34783050.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.vogue.com/article/ruth-negga-january-cover-loving-movie-interview|title=Loving Star Ruth Negga on Biracial Politics: "I Get Very Territorial About My Identity"|work=Vogue|access-date=25 June 2017|language=en|archive-date=13 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713190128/http://www.vogue.com/article/ruth-negga-january-cover-loving-movie-interview|url-status=live}} Despite breaking up in 2016, the press first reported the split in April 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainment/people/ruth-negga-diversity-dominic-cooper-610595|title=Ruth Negga Talks Diversity, Hamlet And Her Split From Dominic Cooper|date=8 August 2018|work=Marie Claire|access-date=20 August 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018083800/https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainment/people/ruth-negga-diversity-dominic-cooper-610595|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/dominic-cooper-ruth-negga-split-after-8-years-of-dating/|title=Dominic Cooper and Ruth Negga Split After 8 Years Together|last=Marcus|first=Emily|date=5 April 2018|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-date=6 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406041435/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/dominic-cooper-ruth-negga-split-after-8-years-of-dating/|url-status=live}} Cooper has been in a relationship with actress Gemma Chan since 2018.{{cite web |last1=Tsjeng |first1=Zind |title="The Industry Has Shifted. Changing The Culture Takes Longer": Gemma Chan Is Finally Taking The Lead |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/gemma-chan-interview |website=British Vogue |date=5 August 2021 |access-date=25 August 2021 |archive-date=5 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805183319/https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/gemma-chan-interview |url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |title=Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=7 August 2014 |access-date=26 August 2014 |archive-date=17 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817131736/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |url-status=live}} In 2023, he signed the Artists4Ceasefire's open letter to President Joe Biden calling for an immediate ceasefire during the Gaza war.

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• [http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=2581 eFilmCritic.com interview with Dominic Cooper by Dan Lybarger] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026153838/http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=2581 |date=26 October 2020}}
• [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9314341/Dominic-Cooper-Theres-too-much-gravitas-given-to-people-who-dress-up-in-frocks-and-dance-around.html Dominic cooper interview] The Telegraph

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Category:Living people

Category:1978 births

Category:20th-century English male actors

Category:21st-century English male actors

Category:Actors from the Royal Borough of Greenwich

Category:English male film actors

Category:English male radio actors

Category:English male stage actors

Category:English male television actors

Category:Alumni of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

Category:Male actors from London

Category:People from Greenwich

Category:Royal Shakespeare Company members

Category:English male Shakespearean actors

Category:Male actors from Kent

Category:English male voice actors