Emrhys Cooper

Emrhys Cooper (born 14 February 1985) is a British actor, singer, dancer, and filmmaker, best known for playing cult leader Rowan Cunliffe on Coronation Street, and Alastair on the Emmy nominated StyleHaul Drama Series ''Vanity'' (2015) in which he stars alongside Denise Richards and Karrueche Tran.

He has appeared in films such as ''Mamma Mia'' (2008), the romantic comedy '' Walk a Mile in My Pradas'' (2011), the indie drama '' Till We Meet Again'' (2016), the horror film ''Dreamcatcher'', and his award-winning directorial debut '' The Shuroo Process''.

Early life, family, and education

Cooper was born in Devon, England. His father, Christopher, is a teacher and founder of the UK's South Devon Rudolf Steiner School. His mother, Raphaela, is an artist and former dancer.

He has an older sister called Fleur who runs a successful Travel and Lifestyle company and starred in the ITV series Million Dollar Babes.

Growing up, Cooper spent his free time training in dance, singing and acting. He started working professionally at the age of 12. He appeared in several UK TV shows and commercials.

He earned a scholarship to The Central School of Ballet, where he studied from the ages of 16–18. He then changed course and attended the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts School to pursue a career in musical theatre.

He graduated with honours at the age of 19.

Career

2005–2014

Cooper made his professional stage debut in the national tour of '' Fame – the Musical'' before making his West End debut at 21 in the Queen musical '' We Will Rock You'.''

In addition to appearing in West End musicals, Cooper also worked as a dancer with many of the world's biggest recording artists including Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Pussycat Dolls and the Sugababes, (in the video for " Push the Button") as the Geeky Guy directed by Matthew Rolston. Whilst dancing, Cooper appeared on TV shows such as ''X Factor'', '' America's Got Talent'', '' Stars in Their Eyes'' and the '' MTV European Music Awards''.

Cooper has made several appearances on British television, '' I'd Do Anything'' and '' 999 Lifesavers''. His on-screen debut was in '' Mamma Mia!'' in 2008.

In 2008, he moved to Los Angeles where he quickly started working on many of the US's biggest shows including '' Desperate Housewives'', '' CSI:NY,'' '' Touch'' and ''Blackish''. He played an integral role on the hit prime time network TV series ''Person of Interest'' playing MI6 spy Young Greer. The elder John Greer is portrayed by the British actor John Nolan (uncle of Christopher Nolan).

Cooper has also had a string of independent movies such as '' Walk a Mile in My Pradas'', ''Paint'', ''Dreamcatcher'''','' and '' Till We Meet Again''

In 2013, Cooper was cast as the lead role in the Bhutanese feature film ''Kushuthara – Pattern of Love,'' filmed in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Cooper is the first ever Western actor to star in a Bhutanese film. Kushuthara''' went on to garner wins at international film festivals and Cooper was awarded outstanding performance from a leading actor in the IndieFest film festival.

Notable US stage work includes the Dream It Productions critically acclaimed production of '' Entertaining Mr Sloane.'' Cooper won several awards for his portrayal of "Sloane" including being voted "Person to Watch" by Broadway World.

2015–present

Cooper landed the lead role in the remake of the classic silent horror film Nosferatu, playing the role of Thomas Hutter.

The film also stars Doug Jones in the iconic role of Count Orlok. Other cast includes Joely Fisher and Sarah Carter.

In 2023, Cooper appeared as the Cowboy The Bents highly acclaimed production of Mart Crowley's The Boys in the Band at the Camelot Theatre, Palm Springs.

2018–present: Directorial focus

In 2018, Cooper made his directorial debut in the viral short film ''Trophy Boy'' which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, and is currently being developed into a TV series. Cooper made his feature film directorial debut in the critically acclaimed '' The Shuroo Process'', which he also wrote and produced.

Music

In 2013, Cooper co-wrote and released his debut single "Hypnotized" through Inspire U records. The song played on many of the UK's major stations. The song can be heard in the feature film ''Kushuthara: Pattern of Love''.

In 2016 he released the single "Reboot My Heart", which he co wrote with his songwriting partner Elaine Macaulso. Cooper also directed the music video shot in Bangkok and Ko Tao – Thailand.

Humanitarian work

In February 2016, whilst shooting ''The Temple'' in Bhutan, Cooper visited the Neyphug (Heyphug) Monastery & School for orphaned and underprivileged boys. The site had been severely hit by an earthquake.
Neyphug is a charitable organisation that supports a monk community with a 450-year Buddhist history in the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Cooper also created a public service announcement after losing his song writing partner, Elaine Macaluso, to urethral cancer. He supports Urology Care Foundation, hoping to build awareness and urge people to get regular health check ups.

Cooper is also passionate about protecting wildlife and creating a healthy planet with WWF and Greenpeace. Cooper shares his home with 3 rescued cats and an African grey parrot.

Filmography

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooper, Emrhys
Living people
21st-century English male actors
English male dancers
1985 births
English male musical theatre actors
English male film actors
English male television actors
Actors from Totnes
Male actors from Devon