Golden Globes 2026: Owen Cooper Remembers Embarrassing Moments From Prep Days as He Creates History

Published 01/11/2026, 10:06 PM EST

Owen Cooper burst onto the entertainment world with a fearless intensity that seemed impossible for someone so young, delivering a mesmerizing performance as Jamie Miller in Adolescence. Critics and audiences alike were captivated by his raw emotional depth.

Propelling him to the top of Netflix’s must-watch charts and earning praise across every major publication, his rise felt inevitable, a young talent whose brilliance could not be ignored. At the Golden Globes, he reflected on his old days and an embarrassing moment.

Owen Cooper hilariously recalls his most embarrassing prep school moments, showing off his fearless charm and wit while reflecting on the journey that shaped him into a rising star.

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Laughing at the past: Owen Cooper looks back at awkward beginnings

At just sixteen, Owen Cooper made history as the youngest TV Supporting Actor winner at the Golden Globes 2026. In his heartfelt speech, he reflected on the surreal experience of standing on the iconic stage, expressing gratitude for his family and everyone who supported his journey.

"I took a risk, and I went to drama classes. I was the only boy there; it was embarrassing." Cooper recalled feeling awkward and unsure of his talent. Despite the embarrassment, he embraced the challenge, took risks, and proved his brilliance, culminating in this historic win.

Owen Cooper emphasized that he still sees himself as an apprentice, learning daily from the artists who inspire him. Gratitude poured out to mentors, collaborators, and the team at Netflix, singling out producers and creatives who shaped his path.

He promised to keep growing, keep listening, and keep working. With confidence and humility intertwined, he welcomed 2026, certain the journey ahead would never be walked alone. In the days that followed, his momentum extended beyond the Golden Globes.

Owen Cooper Deserves to Be the Youngest Netflix Actor to Win an Emmy Award in 2025, Here’s Why

Owen Cooper shattered every expectation at the Critics’ Choice Awards, making history as the youngest winner ever and proving that his rapid rise is no fluke, but the beginning of something seriously unstoppable.

Owen Cooper’s meteoric rise continues at the Critics’ Choice Awards

Owen Cooper cemented his place among television’s most thrilling young performers, having collected the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television for Adolescence. Acting alongside Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty, he delivered a performance that fused quiet vulnerability with striking intensity.

Critics responded instantly, and audiences followed just as quickly. Each new honor sharpened his trajectory, signaling a career accelerating with purpose, discipline, and a confidence that felt earned rather than borrowed.

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Beyond his Critics’ Choice headlines, Adolescence thrived as a full ensemble triumph. Stephen Graham embodied Eddie Miller, Ashley Walters commanded DI Luke Bascombe, Faye Marsay sharpened DS Misha Frank, and Mark Stanley grounded Paul Barlow. Christine Tremarco, Amélie Pease, Hannah Walters, and Jo Hartley deepened texture, while Erin Doherty, Kaine Davis, and Emilia Holliday intensified stakes.

Inspired by real life, the series felt authentic and urgent on screen worldwide. That momentum has continued for Owen Cooper, who now adds a Golden Globe to his growing list of honors.

What's Next for Owen Cooper After Emmy 2025 Win? Every Upcoming Movie, TV Show, and Project

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What do you think about Owen Cooper’s win at the Golden Globes? Let us know in the comments below.

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Yusra Miraj Khan

1443 articles

Yusra Miraj Khan is an Entertainment Journalist at Netflix Junkie. Specializing in Taylor Swift and the British Royal Family, she transforms modern mythologies into high-ranking, reader-first narratives. Since joining in early 2025, Khan has penned over 500 articles, known for their sharp decoding of Easter eggs and PR silences.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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