Cooper Tomlinson

Cooper Tomlinson is an American actor, writer, and producer who has built an eclectic career spanning independent films, online comedy, and viral horror. A multi-hyphenate talent comfortable both in front of and behind the camera, he came up through the do-it-yourself world of self-produced shorts and web content before breaking into more prominent film work, embodying a modern creative path forged as much on social platforms as on traditional sets. His range across roles and crafts is central to his identity. Tomlinson is known partly for his work in online sketch comedy, helping create a popular channel with a collaborator that amassed a large following and tens of millions of views across social media, demonstrating a sharp instinct for short-form comedy. At the same time he pursued film, landing a small but memorable part in David Fincher's acclaimed period drama Mank, a notable credit in a prestige, Oscar-nominated production. He has continued to act in and produce independent features across genres, from romantic comedy to thriller. His most notable recent work has come in the realm of viral found-footage horror, where projects he produced and starred in drew significant online attention. Energetic and entrepreneurial, he reflects a new generation of creators blending internet fame with traditional filmmaking. Cooper Tomlinson is regarded as an up-and-coming multi-talented figure in independent film and online entertainment.[edit]

Tomlinson grew up in the United States and began making short films in high school around 2010. This early passion led him to enroll in film school, but he and a collaborator made the strategic decision to drop out and focus on creating short-form video content for TikTok. He later described this as the best decision they ever made, as it laid the groundwork for his career in online comedy and independent film.[edit]

Tomlinson's breakthrough came in 2020 when he was cast as the Younger Man in David Fincher's Netflix period drama Mank, an Oscar-nominated prestige production. That same year, he co-created the web series Roommates and the sketch comedy channel That's a Bad Idea, which accumulated millions of views across platforms. In 2024, he released the micro-budget found-footage horror film Milk & Serial, which went viral and became a cult hit. He also appeared in the thriller Because of Mika, the pandemic-set rom-com A Wall Away, and Treasure Trackers. In 2025, he played Jason in the comedy My Dead Dad's Funeral. As of 2026, he has been cast as Ian in the drama Obsession and as Deputy Cecil Post in the TV series Dutton Ranch.[edit]

Cooper Tomlinson is perceived by media and fans as a hardworking, versatile multi-hyphenate who rose through indie and digital routes rather than traditional stardom. His content tone is dry, ironic, and self-deprecating, especially on the That's a Bad Idea channel, which blends sketch-comedy chaos with horror-parody. Tomlinson's personal style is understated and casual, often seen in simple t-shirts and jeans, reflecting his grounded, DIY ethos. Fans informally refer to themselves as 'Bad Idea-ers' or followers of the channel, and fan culture revolves around quoting sketches and speculating about upcoming horror-comedy projects. His social media voice is direct and humorous, with a focus on promoting work and behind-the-scenes glimpses rather than personal life. Despite appearing in a David Fincher film, he remains largely unknown to mainstream audiences, which aligns with his modest public image as an indie darling rather than a celebrity.[edit]

Cooper Tomlinson is currently an evaluated but unranked figure in iFANN's Global Fame Engine, meaning he has been assessed but does not yet hold a placement in the published rankings, whether the Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list. That may change soon: his breakout horror hit Obsession has become a streaming phenomenon, and his social following has surged past 300,000 on Instagram alone.

Tomlinson's fanbase has no formal name. Instead, his audience is largely shared with his creative partner Curry Barker, centered on their sketch-comedy channel That's a Bad Idea and their collaborative films. Fans gather on platforms like Reddit, where the subreddit r/obsessionmovie discusses his work, and on TikTok, where he is known as a social media personality and content creator. There are no documented fan campaigns, organized projects, or unique rituals, just organic word-of-mouth that has turned Obsession into a sustained streaming hit.

Tomlinson engages directly with fans through social media and press appearances, often with a playful, self-deprecating tone. He has done videos with Polygon and MLB star Mookie Betts, and he has been open about the filmmaking process, even revealing that a major twist in Obsession was not in the original script. His story, dropping out of film school to make TikToks, then going on to star in a studio-distributed horror phenomenon, resonates with an audience that sees him as relatable and accessible.[edit]

Tomlinson and his collaborator Curry Barker dropped out of film school specifically to make TikToks, a move he credits with launching his career. He co-created the sketch comedy channel That's a Bad Idea, which amassed over 1.5 million followers and 150 million views across platforms. His film Milk & Serial, made on an extremely low budget, became a viral phenomenon on YouTube, establishing the duo's fanbase. He has a brother named Charlie who is also a filmmaker, and his online presence is professional and focused on promoting his work, with occasional behind-the-scenes glimpses.

A legendary moment in his career is the meteoric rise of Obsession, which became a breakout horror hit and was described by Collider as 'officially unstoppable on streaming.' Tomlinson admitted he never expected the film to get this big. Another piece of production lore: the film's major twist was not in the original script, a detail he revealed in an interview with SlashFilm, adding to the film's mythology of improvisation and creative collaboration. In August 2026, he appeared in a video with Dodgers star Mookie Betts, a crossover that marked his fame extending beyond horror fandom.[edit]

Tomlinson has a brother named Charlie, who is also a filmmaker and content creator, and they have collaborated on projects. Details about his parents and extended family are not publicly available. He keeps his personal life private and does not share information about his household or pets.[edit]

Tomlinson has collaborated closely with his brother Charlie Tomlinson, also a filmmaker, and with Curry Barker, the co-creator of That's a Bad Idea and frequent collaborator on projects like Milk & Serial.[edit]

Cooper Tomlinson maintains a very private personal life and has no publicly confirmed dating history. As of 2026, he is not known to be in a relationship and has never been married or had children. His social media focuses on his work rather than personal matters.[edit]

Specific net worth figures for Cooper Tomlinson are not publicly available from major financial outlets. As an independent actor, writer, and producer working on micro-budget films and online content, his income likely comes from acting salaries, producing fees, and revenue from the That's a Bad Idea YouTube channel and other social media ventures. Without credible public estimates, a precise figure cannot be stated, but his net worth is likely modest and growing as he takes on higher-profile projects.[edit]