Owen Cooper may be making headlines across Hollywood, but back home in North West England, life looks surprisingly normal for the teenage star. At just 16, the actor has already secured his place in awards history, yet when the cameras are off, he is still focused on school, family, and the everyday routines of being a student.
The young actor recently stunned the industry once again after taking home a major win at the Critics Choice Awards, adding to a rapidly growing list of achievements. Despite rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in entertainment, Owen’s life outside of work remains grounded and refreshingly low key.
While many rising stars relocate to Los Angeles early in their careers, Owen continues to live at home in Warrington, Cheshire, where he is currently studying for his GCSEs. Away from red carpets and award ceremonies, he is just another teenager navigating exams and school life.
Balancing awards season with normal teenage life
Owen first caught global attention following his breakout role in the Netflix miniseries Adolescence, which earned him critical acclaim and multiple awards. His performance not only impressed audiences but also made him the youngest male Primetime Emmy Award winner at the age of 15.
Just days into 2026, he achieved another milestone by becoming the youngest ever winner at the Critics Choice Awards, where he was awarded Best Supporting Actor. Accepting the honor, Owen spoke candidly about how quickly his life has changed and how grateful he feels for the opportunities that have come his way.
Even with international recognition, his priorities have not shifted. During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Owen admitted that returning to school after such a major win felt unusual, but his focus remains firmly on completing his exams.
“I have only got about six months left of school,” he shared. “I still have my GCSEs to do, and then hopefully I will be acting full time.”
A family far removed from the film industry
Unlike many young actors in Hollywood, Owen does not come from a famous family. He grew up with two brothers, a mother who works as a carer, and a father employed in IT. Acting was not something that ran in the family, and Owen has previously joked that he has no idea where his talent came from.
Before discovering acting, his childhood dream was to become a footballer. It was only after he began attending weekly acting classes that his path changed. Those early lessons eventually led to his first major on screen role in Adolescence, a project that would transform his life almost overnight.
Throughout filming, Owen’s parents remained closely involved, taking turns visiting the set to support their son. In an interview with Express, Owen explained how his family managed the demanding schedule while still keeping things as normal as possible at home.
School comes first despite a rising career
While some young actors choose to leave school early to focus on their careers, Owen has taken a different approach. He continued his studies throughout filming, receiving tutoring on set to ensure he stayed on track with his coursework.
Owen attends a local school in his hometown and plans to complete his GCSEs in 2026. The exams typically begin in May and run through late June, a period that coincides with an increasingly busy time in his professional life.
Despite the attention surrounding his success, Owen has made it clear that finishing school is non negotiable. He has spoken openly about wanting to experience a normal ending to his education before fully stepping into the next chapter of his career.
Fame has not changed his friendships
Although his achievements have been widely celebrated, Owen says his friends have largely treated him the same way they always have. Speaking to Dazed, he revealed that while his classmates congratulated him on his awards, there was little fuss once the initial excitement faded.
“My friends are not really bothered,” he said. “They messaged me to say well done, but that was about it.”
Teachers, however, were far more enthusiastic, something Owen admits made him slightly uncomfortable. Still, he finds comfort in the fact that his daily school life has remained largely unchanged.
He also shared that being treated normally has helped him stay grounded. From getting told off by teachers to having jokes made at his expense, Owen says those familiar moments remind him that not everything needs to change just because of fame.
Encounters with Hollywood’s biggest names
In a short time, Owen has found himself surrounded by some of the most recognizable figures in film. At the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, he documented moments spent with stars such as Michael B. Jordan, Timothée Chalamet, and Adam Sandler on social media, capturing the excitement of experiencing awards season as a teenager.
He has also worked alongside actors including Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, and Stephen Graham, all of whom have spoken highly of his talent and professionalism.
Despite these encounters, Owen admits there has only been one moment where he truly felt starstruck. In an interview with W Magazine, he recalled meeting Robert De Niro and feeling completely overwhelmed.
“I did not know what to say,” he said. “I was shaking. That is the only time so far that I have been starstruck.”
As his career continues to gain momentum, it is likely that list will grow. For now, however, Owen Cooper remains focused on finishing school, spending time with family, and enjoying the rare balance he has managed to maintain between global success and everyday teenage life.
