Cooper Hoffman, born March 20, 2003, is an American actor best known for his lead role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s critically acclaimed film Licorice Pizza (2021).
The son of late Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, he made a stunning debut that earned him a Golden Globe nomination. His rise in Hollywood has been both rapid and remarkably well-received.
Who is Cooper Hoffman?
Cooper Alexander Hoffman is one of Hollywood’s most exciting young actors. He burst onto the scene in 2021 with no prior professional acting experience, landing the lead role in a major studio film on his very first try. That kind of debut is extraordinarily rare.
He played Gary Valentine in Licorice Pizza, a charming and ambitious teen navigating the 1970s San Fernando Valley.
His natural screen presence alongside co-star Alana Haim left critics and audiences genuinely impressed. The film received three Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
Since then, Cooper has built a steady and diverse filmography. He appeared in the Flannery O’Connor biopic Wildcat (2023), played NBC executive Dick Ebersol in Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night (2024), and led Francis Lawrence’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Long Walk (2025). Few actors develop this quickly.
He also made his stage debut in 2025, performing in an Off-Broadway production of Sam Shepard’s Curse of the Starving Class alongside Christian Slater.
Early Life of Cooper Hoffman
Cooper was born and raised in New York City. His parents are the late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman and costume designer Mimi O’Donnell.
He grew up alongside two younger sisters, Tallulah and Willa Hoffman. His childhood was shaped by both privilege and profound loss.
Philip Seymour Hoffman passed away on February 2, 2014, from acute mixed drug intoxication. Cooper was just 10 years old at the time. In his father’s will, Philip expressed a wish for his son to live in Manhattan, Chicago, or San Francisco.
Growing up, Cooper attended the Calhoun School, a prestigious private institution on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. He graduated in 2021. Despite his famous family background, Cooper was not originally drawn to acting.
His school involvement was mostly behind the scenes, working as part of the stage crew rather than performing.
Cooper Hoffman Age
Cooper Hoffman is 23 years old as of 2026, having been born on March 20, 2003. He is currently one of the most sought-after young actors working in American independent cinema.
Cooper Hoffman Ethnicity and Nationality
Cooper Hoffman is American by nationality. His father, Philip Seymour Hoffman, was of German, Irish, and other European descent.
His mother, Mimi O’Donnell, is a well-known costume designer who has worked extensively in theater. He was born and raised in New York City.
Cooper Hoffman Height and Weight
Cooper Hoffman stands reportedly at 5 feet 5 inches (167 cm) tall. His weight is approximately 60 kg (132 lbs), though this has not been officially confirmed. He has an understated physical presence that suits the character-driven roles he tends to choose.
Height and weight figures for Cooper are drawn from third-party sources and should be treated as estimates.
His look is often compared to his father’s in his younger years. That resemblance has been widely noted by fans and journalists alike.
Cooper Hoffman Education
Cooper attended the Calhoun School in Manhattan, graduating in 2021. The Calhoun School is a progressive, co-educational private school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. It is known for its creative and arts-friendly curriculum.
His time at Calhoun is where he first explored filmmaking. He made short films with friends, including with director Paul Thomas Anderson and Anderson’s son Jack, who were family friends. That creative environment planted a seed.
After completing Licorice Pizza, Cooper enrolled in acting school in New York City. He has spoken publicly about his commitment to honing his craft rather than relying on his family name.
Cooper Hoffman Career
The Road to Licorice Pizza
Cooper had no professional acting experience before Paul Thomas Anderson cast him in Licorice Pizza. Anderson had been a close family friend and a frequent collaborator of his father.
Their shared history made the casting feel natural, though Cooper still had to earn the role through auditions. The result was extraordinary by any measure.
Released in 2021 and distributed by United Artists Releasing, Licorice Pizza received three Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.
Cooper’s performance as the confident and resourceful Gary Valentine earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. He also won the Breakthrough Performance Award at the National Board of Review Awards in 2021.
Building a Diverse Filmography
Cooper did not slow down after his debut. In 2023, he appeared in Wildcat, directed by Ethan Hawke, playing a supporting role alongside Maya Hawke, Laura Linney, and Steve Zahn. The film premiered at the prestigious Telluride Film Festival. He continued to make bold choices.
In 2024, he portrayed real-life NBC television executive Dick Ebersol in Saturday Night, Jason Reitman’s film about the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live in October 1975. The film featured a large ensemble cast and drew considerable critical attention.
Leading The Long Walk and Beyond
Cooper took on his most physically and emotionally demanding role yet in The Long Walk (2025), adapted from Stephen King’s 1979 dystopian novel. He plays Raymond Garraty, a contestant in a brutal walking competition where failure means death.
The film, released by Lionsgate, premiered at both the Toronto and Venice Film Festivals to strong reviews. That performance marked a new level of maturity for the young actor.
He also co-starred in Poetic License (2025), a relationship comedy directed by Maude Apatow in her feature debut, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Cooper’s upcoming projects include I Want Your Sex, directed by Gregg Araki, alongside Olivia Wilde and Charli XCX.
Cooper Hoffman Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Licorice Pizza | Gary Valentine | Lead; Golden Globe nomination |
| 2023 | Wildcat | Manley Pointer | Telluride Film Festival premiere |
| 2024 | Saturday Night | Dick Ebersol | Jason Reitman film |
| 2025 | The Long Walk | Raymond Garraty | Lead; Stephen King adaptation |
| 2025 | Poetic License | TBA | Maude Apatow directorial debut |
| 2025 | Old Guy | TBA | Simon West-directed action-comedy |
| TBA | I Want Your Sex | TBA | Gregg Araki film |
Cooper Hoffman Awards and Recognition
Cooper’s debut in Licorice Pizza immediately put him on awards radar. He won the Breakthrough Performance Award at the 2021 National Board of Review Awards. The same year, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
He also received a nomination from the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards for Best Young Performer. Those nominations from a debut performance are nearly unheard of in Hollywood.
His follow-up work in The Long Walk continued to build his reputation as a serious young actor. Hoffman received the Independent Spirit Award’s Robert Altman Award as part of the The Long Walk ensemble cast, according to reporting from March 2026.
Cooper Hoffman Girlfriend
Cooper Hoffman keeps his romantic life largely private. He has not publicly confirmed a current girlfriend or partner.
In a 2025 interview, he mentioned a past relationship that lasted about four years, describing it as a first love that ended on good terms. He and his former partner reportedly remained friends after the breakup.
As of 2026, Cooper has been photographed alongside actress Nico Parker at the Christian Dior show during Paris Fashion Week in October 2025.
The two also starred together in Poetic License and attended the Toronto International Film Festival together. No official confirmation of a romantic relationship has been made by either party.
Cooper Hoffman Net Worth
Cooper Hoffman’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Based on his leading roles in major studio films and festival favorites, estimates from multiple sources place his net worth at $5 million as of 2026. His income comes primarily from film acting fees and theater productions.
As he takes on more lead roles in larger productions, his earning potential is expected to grow significantly. His upcoming slate of films, including the Gregg Araki thriller, suggests his market value continues to rise.
Cooper Hoffman Social Media
Cooper Hoffman does not appear to maintain a verified public social media presence. No official Instagram, X (Twitter), or other platform account has been confirmed by reliable sources.
His public profile is managed primarily through film press and festival appearances.
Fans can find updates about his projects through entertainment news outlets and the official pages of his films, such as Lionsgate for The Long Walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cooper Hoffman’s net worth?
Cooper Hoffman’s net worth is estimated at $5 million as of 2026.
How old is Cooper Hoffman?
Cooper Hoffman is 23 years old as of 2026, born on March 20, 2003.
Who is Cooper Hoffman’s girlfriend?
No relationship has been officially confirmed as of 2026. Cooper has been photographed with actress Nico Parker, but neither has publicly confirmed they are dating.
What is Cooper Hoffman’s height?
Cooper Hoffman is reportedly 5 feet 5 inches (167 cm) tall, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Where was Cooper Hoffman born?
Cooper Hoffman was born in New York City, New York, on March 20, 2003.
Who is Cooper Hoffman’s father?
His father is the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, an Oscar-winning American actor who passed away in February 2014.
What is Cooper Hoffman famous for?
Cooper Hoffman is best known for his lead role as Gary Valentine in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza (2021), for which he received a Golden Globe nomination.
What school did Cooper Hoffman attend?
Cooper attended the Calhoun School in Manhattan, a private progressive school on the Upper West Side, graduating in 2021.
The Bottom Line
Cooper Hoffman has built a genuinely impressive early career that stands on its own, separate from his famous last name.
From his Golden Globe-nominated debut in Licorice Pizza to leading Stephen King’s The Long Walk, he has proven himself a thoughtful and gifted young actor.
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