Dominic Cooper

Here is a detailed overview of Dominic Cooper (born June 2, 1978) — the English actor:

Introduction

Dominic Edward Cooper (born 2 June 1978) is an English actor known for his work across theatre, film, and television. He has achieved recognition for roles such as Jesse Custer in Preacher, young Howard Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (e.g. Captain America: The First Avenger, Agent Carter), and Sky in Mamma Mia! and its sequel.

Early Life & Education

• Cooper was born and raised in Greenwich, London.

• His mother, Julie (née Heron), worked as a nursery school teacher; his father, Brian Cooper, was an auctioneer.

• His parents divorced when he was about 5 years old.

• He has two full brothers, Simon and Nathan, and also a half-brother and half-sister.

• His maternal great-grandfather was E. T. Heron, a film enthusiast and publisher of The Kinematograph Weekly.

He attended John Ball Primary School in Blackheath, then Thomas Tallis School in Kidbrooke. Later, he trained in professional acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), graduating in 2000.

Career & Major Roles

Theatre Beginnings

Cooper’s acting career spans theatre as well as screen. One of his early notable theatre roles was as Dakin in The History Boys. That production moved from the Royal National Theatre to the West End, and later to Broadway and international tours.

He also performed in productions like His Dark Materials and Phèdre.

Film & Television Highlights

• In 2008, Cooper gained wider visibility by starring as Sky in Mamma Mia!.

• He continued with the sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018).

• In the Marvel universe, he played young Howard Stark in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and reprised this in Agent Carter.

• He starred as the title character Jesse Custer in the AMC TV series Preacher (2016–2019).

• He also took on the role of Ian Fleming in the miniseries Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond.

• Other film roles include An Education, The Devil’s Double, Dracula Untold, Need for Speed, and Warcraft.

Public & Personal Life

• Cooper once shared a flat with James Corden, his co-star from The History Boys. He even introduced Corden to his future wife, Julia.

• He dated actress Amanda Seyfried around 2008–2009.

• From 2010 to 2016, he was in a relationship with Ruth Negga, with whom he also co-starred in various projects.

• Since 2018, he has been in a relationship with actress Gemma Chan.

Politically, Cooper has at times engaged with public causes. For example, in 2014 he was among a group of public figures who signed a letter urging Scotland to remain in the UK during that year’s referendum.

Style & Appeal

Cooper is known for his versatility — he moves with ease between period dramas, fantasy/supernatural genres, musicals, and more grounded character work. His theatre background gives him a strong foundation in voice, movement, and character depth.

In interviews, he has remarked on the challenges of switching between genres (for example, playing a character in Preacher with supernatural elements) despite his extensive experience.

His physical presence, ability to play charm and darker edges, and his commitment to roles help him take on a wide spectrum of characters.

Legacy & Influence

While still active in his career, Cooper has already made significant marks:

• He’s an example of a British actor who has successfully bridged both British and American screens.

• His involvement in large franchises (Marvel) alongside indie or theatrical work shows artistic breadth.

• His theatre roots, especially The History Boys, continue to be celebrated and often referenced in theatre and film studies.

• His lead role in Preacher introduced him to a wider TV audience and expanded his reach in pop culture.