Dominic Edward Cooper is a British actor known for his stage and screen role in The History Boys, as well as starring in AMC's Preacher. He has also appeared as young Howard Stark in several Marvel movies, and as Sky in the movie and sequel of Mamma Mia!
He was born and raised in Greenwich, London, England. His mother, Julie
(Heron), is a nursery school teacher and a keen theater-goer. His
father, Brian Cooper, is an auctioneer. They divorced when Dominic was
age 5. His maternal great-grandfather was film enthusiast E.T. Heron,
who published The Kinematograph Weekly. He has two older brothers,
Nathan and Simon. He had a sister who died in a car crash when she
was age 5, before Dominic was born. He also has a
half-sister from an extramarital affair by his father and a
half-brother from his father's second marriage.
He went to school in Kidbrooke, attending the Thomas Tallis School. He
didn't know what to do afterwards, and his girlfriend at the time
suggested that he should apply to drama school. He did his training at
the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He performed in the end
of year play 'Waiting For Godot' and this performance landed him the
renowned agent Pippa Markham.
He graduated in 2000 and started with a few minor roles in television
and theater. In 2004, he landed a role at the National Theatre with
'The History Boys'. He originated the role of Dakin, as he was involved
in the play from the very beginning. He played the role for two years
on the stage and then, for the final time, in his breakthrough film
role
The History Boys (2006).