Jake Gyllenhaal surprises young Adolescence star before big Emmy win

Owen Cooper, the breakout star of Adolescence, experienced an unforgettable night at the 2025 Emmy Awards.

Just before accepting his first Emmy, the young actor was surprised backstage by his longtime idol, Jake Gyllenhaal.

Gyllenhaal presented Cooper with a small engraved “lucky duck,” explaining that someone had given him the same token before his own first big win.

Passing it forward, he told Cooper it was now his turn to carry the tradition.

The gesture carried extra meaning, as Cooper has often called Gyllenhaal his “number one” inspiration and the celebrity he most hoped to meet one day.

In past interviews, Cooper spoke about wanting to follow a path like Gyllenhaal’s, calling him a model for both craft and career.

When Cooper later took the stage to accept his Emmy, the emotional exchange backstage gave the victory even deeper resonance.

For the young star, it was the rare Hollywood night where admiration, mentorship, and recognition all aligned.