Dominic Cooper bio, age, height, girlfriend, career path 2025

Dominic Cooper Biography

Dominic Cooper is a renowned British theatre and film actor who swiftly transitioned from television roles and starring in Durex commercials to appearing in Oscar-winning movies. He gained fame through roles in the musical "Mamma Mia!", the fantasy saga "Warcraft", and the series "Preacher", based on Vertigo comics.

Early Life

The future actor was born in Greenwich, London. His mother, Julia Heron, was a kindergarten teacher, while his father, Brian Cooper, was an auctioneer. He grew up with two brothers, Simon and Nathan. Dominic himself was a typical boy from London's East End.

Dominic attended the well-known Thomas Tallis School, an institution renowned for nurturing students' creative abilities. After graduation, Dominic Cooper enrolled in the famous London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, whose alumni include Benedict Cumberbatch and Donald Sutherland. He successfully graduated in 2000.

Early Roles

Dominic Cooper's education from a prestigious institution, combined with his charisma, striking appearance, and natural talent, enabled him to jump straight into television after graduating. Even then, he was determined to become an actor, occasionally landing minor roles as extras.

Interesting fact: at the start of his career, Dominic Cooper appeared in several Durex condom commercials. Some of these were later banned.

Dominic Cooper in the banned Durex advertisement

In 2001, Cooper made his debut at the National Theatre (London), delivering a standout performance in "Mother Clap's Molly House" by Mark Ravenhill. After this successful debut, renowned playwright Alan Bennett took notice and offered Cooper the role of Dakin in "The History Boys". With this production, Cooper toured England and countries around the world. The play became so popular that TV and radio adaptations quickly followed.

For his role as Dakin, the young actor received several awards: Empire Awards, British Independent Film Awards, and London Critics Circle Film Awards.

Dominic gradually began landing lead roles across various film genres. In 2002, he delivered a great performance in the drama "The Final Curtain", followed in 2003 by roles in the romantic comedy "I'll Be There" and the historical action film "Boudica."

Dominic Cooper Accidentally Exposes Himself - The Graham Norton Show

Dominic also dedicated time to theatre. Some of his most notable performances were in the plays adapted from Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials".

In 2006, Cooper reprised his theatrical role of Dakin on screen, starring in Nicholas Hytner's film adaptation titled "The History Boys". That same year, the talented actor shone in Tom Vaughan's "Starter for 10". For this, Cooper received the British Independent Film Award, being recognized as the most promising young actor.

Career Development

Dominic's breakthrough came with his role in the hit musical "Mamma Mia!" (2008). Starring alongside Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, and Pierce Brosnan, this film catapulted him to widespread fame. Dominic played Sky, the charming fiancé of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), a bride-to-be determined to have the perfect traditional wedding.

Mamma Mia! – Lay All Your Love On Me

There's just one problem: she doesn't know which of her mother's three former flames is actually her father. This leads her on a quest to find her biological father, bringing together all potential dads on a Greek island.

Cooper's next major role came in "The Duchess" (2008), starring opposite Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, and Charlotte Rampling. In this period drama, Dominic played Charles Grey, the ambitious young politician who would eventually become England's Prime Minister. The film received numerous awards, including an Oscar.

In 2009, Cooper appeared in "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men," playing one of the interviewees in this challenging adaptation of David Foster Wallace's story collection. The film proved to be an intense, emotionally powerful experience.

Scene from 'Brief Interviews with Hideous Men'

In 2011, Dominic entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Howard Stark in "Captain America: The First Avenger."

Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark

Cooper landed a substantial role in Timur Bekmambetov's "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" (2012), playing a benevolent vampire who mentors the future president.

2014 was a busy year for Dominic, with roles in the action film "Need for Speed," the series "Fleming," and the thriller "Reasonable Doubt."

Dominic Cooper's haircut in 'Need for Speed' was a hit

Dominic thrilled fans when he returned for the second season of Marvel's "Agent Carter," reprising his role as Howard Stark—Tony's father and the future Iron Man's dad. The second season kicked off in January 2016.

2016 also brought Dominic Cooper to "Preacher," a gritty adaptation of the mature Vertigo comics series. Cooper played Jesse Custer, a pastor with a troubled past ministering in the small town of Annville.

He's struggling to fill the pews of his inherited church when something happens that completely upends his world. The series also starred the charismatic Joseph Gilgun and Ruth Negga alongside Cooper.

The cast of 'Preacher': Dominic Cooper, Joseph Gilgun, and Ruth Negga

2016 proved to be a banner year for Cooper's film career. He landed a major role in "Warcraft" as Llane Wrynn, the King of Men, and struck up a friendship with lead actor Travis Fimmel.

In 'Warcraft', Dominic Cooper played the King of Men

2017 brought the drama "The Escape," where Cooper teamed up with Gemma Arterton. He also starred in the action thriller "Stratton," where he would meet his future girlfriend, Gemma Chan.

2018 saw him return as Sky in "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again."

SPY CITY Official Trailer

Cooper headlined the spy thriller "Spy City" (2020), playing a character hunting for a mole in Cold War Berlin.

Dominic Cooper's Personal Life

Dominic Cooper's personal life has been the subject of much speculation, with its complicated twists. In 2007, while filming the musical "Mamma Mia!", he began a relationship with actress Amanda Seyfried, despite both being in other relationships. The couple even announced their engagement, but the wedding never happened.

Dominic Cooper and Amanda Seyfried at a baseball match

In 2009, Dominic met Ruth Negga, an Ethiopian-origin actress, at a London theater. What started as on-stage chemistry slowly became real romance. But Dominic struggled to choose between them. For a while, he rekindled his relationship with Amanda. But in May 2010, the actors announced their breakup: long distance and packed filming schedules took their toll.

After the breakup, Dominic returned to Ruth. Amanda struggled with the breakup. She admitted she'd always have feelings for him and couldn't be with someone who'd interfere with their friendship.

Dominic Cooper and girlfriend Ruth Negga

Dominic and Ruth finally called it quits in 2014. Since 2018, the actor has been dating actress Gemma Chan. They met on the set of the movie "Stratton" but initially were just friends.

Dominic Cooper Now

In 2022, the actor appeared in the Hulu action film "The Princess" alongside Joey King. Cooper plays a ruthless sociopath that Joey's character refuses to marry.

Cooper played a sheriff opposing a bounty hunter named Red Bill in the western series "That Dirty Black Bag". In 2023, the British series "The Gold", featuring Dominic, premiered.