You just can’t fake roughneck roots, and Jacob Lofland never tries. The Landman star takes his authenticity as seriously as a roustabout takes his boots. Born and bred in Briggsville, Arkansas, Jacob isn’t your Hollywood-by-the-numbers pretty boy. The dude practically grew up running wild — hunting, fishing, dirt biking — embracing that out-in-the-elements existence most folks would only binge-watch. And now, as Cooper Norris on Taylor Sheridan’s Landman, Lofland pours every scrape, sunburn, and stubborn ounce of grit straight into the wild world of oil.
Backcountry Beginnings: Briggsville Built Different
First off, let’s hit rewind. Jacob Lofland, born July 30, 1996, didn’t enter the world with a script in hand. Instead, he rolled up in a small Arkansas town where the outdoors was the only screen that mattered. Forget fancy film schools — his star came up down backroads and rivers. He’s said in interviews that his youthful days revolved around boats, rods, and the kind of chores that put calluses on your hands before you’re old enough to drive.
That “outside kid” energy? It shaped him. The mud, the sweat, the bruises — they’re part of Lofland’s acting toolkit. He’s not just banging around for the ‘Gram; he actually loves the grind.
Before Big Oil: Mud, Mazes, and More
Jacob’s big Hollywood break came almost by accident. He stepped into the spotlight as Neckbone in Jeff Nichols’ 2012 Southern drama Mud. Audiences saw something real in him. He wasn’t polished, and thank goodness for that. It set him apart.
From there, he navigated into dystopian territory, joining The Maze Runner franchise as Aris. Running from monsters, fighting for survival — it all fit his sense of adventure. But those movies, as wild as they were, never quite matched the real sweat and dirt of home.
- Fun fact: Jacob never trained with acting coaches. He learned from life, not drama class.
- Directors praise his unscripted style and natural screen energy.
Landing Landman: The Cooper Norris Chapter
Flash forward to 2024, and Lofland’s standing in the sprawling West Texas sun. He’s not play-acting roughneck life — his performance as Cooper Norris vibrates with truth. Why? Because he’s drawing from his own past. Cast alongside heavy hitters like Billy Bob Thornton, Jacob more than holds his own.
And speaking of Billy Bob, let’s talk on-screen chemistry. The Norris family dynamic hums with complexity. Sure, there’s spotlight tension — Tommy Norris (Thornton) pushes, Cooper rebels — but off camera, it’s pure respect. Lofland gushed in a recent interview, “Billy Bob’s one of the sweetest, most talented people I’ve worked with.” It’s easy to see why scenes between the two crackle with authentic father-son energy.
The Heat Is Real: Making Oilfield Mayhem
Now, there’s method acting, and then there’s West Texas in August. Lofland and the Landman crew don’t get heat breaks. They film tough, on-site, working rigs in Fort Worth’s triple-digit scorch. Jacob admits nothing in his film career prepared him for the true furnace of an oil patch.
But here’s the kicker — he loved it. Those grueling climbs up proper derricks? He called it “physically demanding, and completely rewarding.” You could practically see him relishing the sweat and grind. Lofland believes you can’t fake that kind of physical work. And when you watch him scale rig ladders or haul heavy gear as Cooper, you know he’s not just acting. He’s reliving summer days back home, putting in real effort.
And about those stunts. Jacob doesn’t send in a stunt double unless safety says otherwise. In Season 2, with the stakes cranked, he tackles even bigger set pieces. Word on set is he’s relentless, always up for another take, always insisting on authenticity. If you catch him limping across a scene, rest assured — he earned that limp pulling a rope, not sitting in makeup.
What Makes Cooper Norris Tick, Anyway?
So what’s so special about Cooper? Why do viewers root for him, even when he’s stubborn as an old fence post? Lofland threads his own stubborn streak into Cooper’s DNA. He says Cooper’s constantly torn between the high expectations of his legendary dad and his own hard-won wisdom. Jacob gets that tug-of-war. Growing up where your word is your bond, he learned pride, humility, and always thinking ten steps ahead.
Some bulletproof Cooper Norris traits, straight from Lofland’s playbook:
- Doesn’t mind getting dirty or looking foolish if there’s hard work to do
- Never gives up, no matter how rough the patch
- Refuses to be underestimated — by family or enemies
Fans spot those details. On Twitter and Reddit, viewers gush about Lofland’s “realness.” Memes float around praising “the kid who climbs rigs better than engineers.” The social buzz is that Cooper Norris feels less like a character and more like someone folks back in Arkansas or Texas could actually know.
Life On Set: Reality Meets Rodeo
Fort Worth, Texas — Landman’s chosen playground — gets high marks from Lofland. The guy calls it “a second home.” He fits right in with the local crew. After hours, don’t expect him holed up in some posh hotel. He’s hiking, checking out local diners, and yes, showing up at the occasional rodeo just for the fun of it. Even the locals seem happy to have him around.
The show’s shooter, Christian Wallace, says Lofland’s down-to-earth approach keeps everyone honest. No Hollywood ego, just pure excitement and plenty of sweat equity. Other cast members quietly admit he’s the glue holding the show’s youthful energy together.
Season 2: Turning Up The Heat
Fans of Landman, buckle up. Season 2 promises bigger drama, sharper fights, higher stakes — and hotter weather. Lofland reports that the new episodes toss Cooper into even deeper trouble. He faces tougher choices as he tries to step out of his dad’s shadow and claim his place in the oil world. Jacob hopes this is Cooper’s real “growing up” season.
Adding to the mayhem, there’s a whole lot more of those high-flying stunts. Lofland tells fans to watch for all-new rig action, grittier showdowns, and several scenes that pushed him further than anything in his film past. He doesn’t reveal spoilers, but his grin in interviews gives the game away: he’s having the time of his life.
- Expect more tension between Cooper and Tommy Norris
- Look for Cooper to make friends (and plenty of enemies)
- Stunt work gets even wilder, with Lofland leading the charge
Why Jacob Lofland’s the Real Deal
Honestly, Hollywood rarely sees a young actor with this much sky-high talent and down-to-earth charm. Lofland’s background isn’t just a press release blurb; it’s a live wire running straight through every scene. He sweats, bleeds, and grins his way through Landman, making Cooper Norris one of the most believable young characters on TV right now.
So, next episode, when you see Cooper toss his hat, wipe his brow, and get back to work, remember — Jacob Lofland isn’t just playing tough. He’s the real thing. And that’s what keeps Landman running hot and true, season after season.
A Final Word From the Oil Patch
Not every actor brings the outside with them onto set. Jacob Lofland does, and it shows in every moment as Cooper Norris. As Landman rolls on, keep an eye on this Arkansas kid with grit in his teeth and genuine fire under his boots. If you ask us, he’s not just acting — he’s living the part. And the show’s all the better for it.
