Owen Cooper made history at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards. The Adolescence star has become the youngest person to win the award for best supporting actor in a TV series at 16 years old.

“Standing here at the Golden Globes does not feel real whatsoever,” Cooper said in his acceptance speech on from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night. “What an incredible journey me and my family have been through. We are forever grateful for what these people have done for me and my family.

“What started out as what I thought I might be okay at, I might be awful at, I never know, so I took a risk and I went to drama classes. I was the only boy there, it was embarrassing but I got through it,” Cooper continued over laughs and applause from the audience. “But I’m still very much an apprentice. I’m still learning every day. I’m still learning from the people that stand in front of you and stand in front of me, who’ve inspired me. I wouldn’t be here without you guys.”

Cooper’s win for his role in the Stephen Graham Netflix limited series also makes him the second youngest male actor to win a Golden Globe, coming behind Ricky Schroder, who was 9 years old when he won in the previous Golden Globe category of new star of the year in a motion picture for his role in the 1980 film The Champ. Glee star Chris Colfer previously held the record for the youngest winner in the best supporting actor in a TV series category, winning the award at the age of 20 in 2010.

Also up for the best supporting actor in a TV series award tonight were fellow Adolescence star Ashley Walters, Billy Crudup (The Morning Show), Trammell Tillman (Severance) and Jason Isaacs and Walton Goggins (The White Lotus). See the full list of 2026 Golden Globe winners here.

Golden Globes producer Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Penske Media Corporation and Eldridge that also owns The Hollywood Reporter. 

THR Newsletters

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

Subscribe Sign Up