Nico Parker Biography: Age, Height, Boyfriend, Parents, Net Worth, Movies & Career Facts
Nico Parker is a fast-rising British actress who has quickly evolved from a Disney debutante into one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young stars. Born into entertainment royalty as the daughter of Emmy-winning actress Thandiwe Newton and filmmaker Ol Parker, she carved her own path with breakout roles in Dumbo, HBO’s The Last of Us, and the Sundance-winning drama Suncoast. By 2026, at just 21 years old, she is headlining major studio franchises, horror thrillers, and luxury brand campaigns—proving she is far more than a famous last name.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Nico Parker |
| Nick Name | Nico |
| Profession | Actress |
| Birth Date | December 9, 2004 |
| Age | 21 years 7 months old |
| Birth Place | Kensal Rise, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Known For | Dumbo (2019); The Last of Us (2023); Suncoast (2024); How to Train Your Dragon (2025) |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (British, Zimbabwean) |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Height | 5′ 1″ (1.55 m) |
| Weight | ~49 kg (108 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown (Curly) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Qualification | Private school education in London; drama lessons |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Boyfriend | Cooper Hoffman (actor, since 2025) |
| Children | None |
| Parents | Mother: Thandiwe Newton (actress); Father: Ol Parker (director/screenwriter) |
| Siblings | Ripley Parker (older sister, screenwriter); Booker Jombe Parker (younger brother) |
| Hobbies | Fashion, attending film festivals, spending time with family |
| Current Work | Actress; Lancôme Global Ambassador; starring in The Young People (2026) |
| Years Active | 2019–present |
Early Life & Education
Nico Parker was born on December 9, 2004, in Kensal Rise, North West London, to two of Britain’s most respected entertainment figures. Her mother, Thandiwe Newton, is an Emmy-winning actress known for Westworld and Crash, while her father, Ol Parker, is a writer-director behind films like Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Nico was named after the German singer Nico (Christa Päffgen) of The Velvet Underground fame. As she told Glamour, “I think my parents couldn’t think of a name for me, but then my mom came up with Nico and my dad was like, ‘Oh, she’s got to be cool if she’s going to pull off that name.’”
She grew up with an older sister, Ripley (born December 17, 2000), who is now a screenwriter, and a younger brother, Booker Jombe (born March 3, 2014). Through her maternal grandmother, Nyasha, Nico claims descent from a Zimbabwean line of tribal chiefs.
Parker attended a private school in London, and her only acting experience before her professional debut was school drama lessons. She initially found her parents’ work boring, joking that acting was “90% of the time waiting around drinking coffee.” That perception changed dramatically when she booked her first role.
Career Journey
Breakthrough with Disney’s Dumbo (2019)
At age 14, Nico made her film debut as Milly Farrier in Tim Burton’s live-action remake of Dumbo (2019). Despite mixed reviews for the film itself, her performance brought her widespread recognition and launched her into the industry spotlight.
Television and Sci-Fi Expansion (2020–2021)
In 2020, she starred alongside Naomie Harris and Jude Law in the HBO psychological miniseries The Third Day, playing Ellie. The following year, she appeared alongside her own mother, Thandiwe Newton, in Lisa Joy’s sci-fi film Reminiscence (2021), portraying Zoe.
Critical Acclaim in The Last of Us (2023)
Nico’s career reached a new level when she was cast as Sarah Miller, the daughter of Joel (Pedro Pascal), in HBO’s blockbuster adaptation of The Last of Us. Though she appeared in only two episodes, critics hailed her performance as heartbreaking and essential. The Mary Sue called her casting “brilliant” and noted her energy matched Pascal’s perfectly.
The role earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress and a Black Reel Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Performance. Tatler named her a “Bright Young Thing” for 2023.
Sundance Triumph and Leading Roles (2024–2025)
In 2024, Parker landed her first major leading role in Laura Chinn’s Suncoast, starring opposite Laura Linney and Woody Harrelson. Her portrayal of Doris, a teenager navigating grief and friendship, won her the Breakthrough Performance Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
That same year, she became the youngest-ever Global Ambassador for Lancôme, joining the luxury beauty house in September 2024.
2025 proved to be her busiest year yet:
- Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy — Played Chloe, the nanny to Bridget Jones, in the Peacock streaming sequel.
- How to Train Your Dragon (Live-Action) — Starred as Astrid Hofferson opposite Mason Thames, bringing the beloved animated character to life.
- Poetic License — Starred in Maude Apatow’s directorial debut, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Horror Stardom and Franchise Future (2026–2027)
In 2026, Parker stars in Osgood Perkins’ horror thriller The Young People, alongside Lola Tung, Nicole Kidman, Heather Graham, and Tatiana Maslany. Filming wrapped in Vancouver in December 2025, with a theatrical release scheduled for late 2026 via Neon.
Additionally, she has already begun filming How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2027), reprising her role as Astrid.
Personal Life
Family Dynamics
Despite their fame, Nico’s parents have maintained a relatively private family life. Thandiwe and Ol married in 1998 and appeared to separate around 2022, though neither has spoken publicly about a divorce. Both parents remain supportive of Nico’s career. Her father frequently celebrates her achievements on social media, while her mother has been described as a “lioness” protecting her daughter in the industry.
Relationship with Cooper Hoffman
In mid-2025, Nico confirmed she was dating someone, describing him as “sweet” in a Sunday Times interview. The mystery man was soon identified as actor Cooper Hoffman, son of the late Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman. The two met on the set of Poetic License and made their public debut at the Christian Dior show during Paris Fashion Week in October 2025. They also attended the Toronto International Film Festival together in September 2025, where they were photographed looking cozy on the red carpet.
As of 2026, the couple remains together, often described by fans as a charming “nepo baby” pairing given their famous lineages.
Controversies
Nico Parker has largely avoided major public controversies, maintaining a clean and professional image. However, she has faced the inevitable scrutiny that comes with being the child of famous parents. Early in her career, some critics questioned whether her roles were earned on merit or nepotism—a conversation she has addressed indirectly by letting her performances speak for themselves. Her Sundance win and BAFTA nomination helped silence many doubters.
Additionally, her mother’s high-profile separation and public struggles have occasionally placed the family in the tabloid spotlight, though Nico herself has stayed above the fray.
Awards & Achievements
- 2024 Sundance Film Festival — Breakthrough Performance Award (Suncoast)
- 2024 BAFTA TV Awards — Nominated for Best Supporting Actress (The Last of Us)
- 2024 Black Reel Awards — Nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Drama Series (The Last of Us)
- 2023 Tatler — Named a “Bright Young Thing”
- 2024 Lancôme — Youngest-ever Global Ambassador in the brand’s history
Physical Statistics
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5′ 1″ (1.55 m) |
| Weight | ~49 kg (108 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Build | Slim |
| Distinguishing Features | Striking resemblance to her mother Thandiwe Newton; natural curly hair; expressive brown eyes |
Quotes
“I think my parents couldn’t think of a name for me, but then my mom came up with Nico and my dad was like, ‘Oh, she’s got to be cool if she’s going to pull off that name.’ Now for the rest of my life, I’m desperately attempting to live up to that conversation and match that name.”
— Glamour, February 2024“My mum is one of my biggest role models, she is a Black actress and she’s incredibly proud of that… I am incredibly proud of where I come from because of her.”
— Glamour, October 2020“They would just wait around all day. To me, acting was 90% of the time waiting around drinking coffee. I was like, ‘You guys don’t work.’”
— On her early perception of acting, The Jennifer Hudson Show, February 2023
Favorites
| Category | Favorites |
|---|---|
| Fashion House | Christian Dior, Lancôme |
| Film Genre | Drama, Horror, Fantasy |
| Actors She Admires | Her mother Thandiwe Newton, Pedro Pascal |
| Hobbies | Fashion week attendance, film festivals, red carpet events |
| Beauty Brand | Lancôme (as Global Ambassador) |
| City | London (hometown), Los Angeles (work) |
Earnings
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2026) | $1 million – $2 million (estimated based on major studio roles and brand partnerships) |
| Primary Income Sources | Film and television salaries, Lancôme ambassador contract, endorsements |
| Notable Salary Markers | Lead roles in Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon franchise and Neon’s The Young People |
While exact salary figures for her individual projects remain private, her rapid ascent from indie films to major studio blockbusters and luxury brand campaigns suggests her earning power has grown substantially since her $50,000 early-career estimates.
Interesting Facts
- Nico was 11 years old when she auditioned for Dumbo and 14 when it premiered.
- She is the youngest Lancôme Global Ambassador in the company’s history, signing at age 19.
- She once hated her natural curly hair and wanted straight hair in Year 5, but her mother helped her embrace it.
- Her father’s favorite advice is to remember every crew member’s name on set.
- She and boyfriend Cooper Hoffman are both children of Oscar-level acting royalty, making them one of Hollywood’s most watched young couples.
Did You Know?
- Nico’s mother, Thandiwe, was so protective of her on the Dumbo set that she was described as a “lioness checking that everything is looked after.”
- Despite growing up on film sets, she initially thought acting was boring because her parents “just waited around all day.”
- She has already worked with major stars including Pedro Pascal, Jude Law, Naomie Harris, Woody Harrelson, Laura Linney, and Nicole Kidman before turning 22.
Social Media Links
- Instagram: @nicoparker
- IMDb: imdb.com/name/nm9135274
- Lancôme Ambassador Profile: Featured on lancome-usa.com
Note: Nico Parker does not maintain publicly verified Twitter/X, TikTok, or Facebook accounts as of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Nico Parker?
Nico Parker was born on December 9, 2004, making her 21 years old as of 2026.
Who are Nico Parker’s parents?
Her mother is Thandiwe Newton, an Emmy-winning actress, and her father is Ol Parker, a film director and screenwriter known for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Is Nico Parker dating anyone?
Yes. As of 2026, she is in a relationship with actor Cooper Hoffman, son of Philip Seymour Hoffman. They met while filming Poetic License and went public in late 2025.
What is Nico Parker’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is between $1 million and $2 million as of 2026, derived from her film roles, TV work, and her Lancôme ambassadorship.
What is Nico Parker best known for?
She is best known for her roles as Milly Farrier in Dumbo (2019), Sarah Miller in HBO’s The Last of Us (2023), Doris in Suncoast (2024), and Astrid in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon (2025).
How tall is Nico Parker?
She stands at 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 m).
Conclusion
Nico Parker has accomplished more in her early twenties than many actors achieve in a lifetime. From her Disney debut to her haunting performance in The Last of Us, her Sundance breakthrough in Suncoast, and her blockbuster turn as Astrid, she has proven herself to be a versatile, emotionally resonant performer with serious staying power. With a horror thriller from Osgood Perkins on the horizon and a major franchise sequel already filming, 2026 is shaping up to be another defining year for this London-born star.
Whether she is walking the red carpet at Paris Fashion Week or filming alongside Nicole Kidman, Nico Parker is no longer just Thandiwe Newton’s daughter—she is a leading lady in her own right.
If you enjoyed this biography, please share it with fellow fans of The Last of Us, How to Train Your Dragon, and rising British talent!
