Bradley Cooper: Biography, Success Story, Facts

Bradley Cooper’s biography is an inspiring success story, highlighting his rise to fame in both film and television. After starting his acting career with a small role in Sex and the City in 1999, Cooper gained widespread recognition for his role in The Hangover series. His life story demonstrates a relentless commitment to his craft, which has earned him numerous accolades, including eight Academy Award nominations. Cooper’s wide-ranging talents, from acting to directing, have made him a familiar face in entertainment.

Early Life

Bradley Charles Cooper was born on January 5, 1975, in Abington Township, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. He was raised in the nearby communities of Jenkintown and Rydal. His mother, Gloria Campano, worked at KYW-TV, the NBC affiliate in Philadelphia, while his father, Charles Cooper, was a stockbroker for Merrill Lynch. Cooper’s father is of Irish descent, and his mother has Italian ancestry from Abruzzo and Naples. He was raised Catholic and has an older sister named Holly. During his early years, Cooper dealt with health issues, including cholesteatoma in his ear shortly after birth and a punctured eardrum from diving at a young age.

As a child, Cooper often felt misunderstood, with some mistaking him for a girl due to his long hair, which his mother maintained. He excelled in basketball and developed a passion for cooking, frequently preparing meals for friends using whatever ingredients were available. Initially, Cooper aspired to attend Valley Forge Military Academy and dreamed of moving to Japan to become a ninja. His father’s introduction to films like The Elephant Man sparked his interest in acting. Despite coming from a family without a background in acting, Cooper’s talent eventually convinced his parents to support his career choice, especially after they saw his performance as Joseph Merrick in a play excerpt.

While studying at Germantown Academy, Cooper held a position at the Philadelphia Daily News. Reflecting on his high school experience, he noted that he wasn’t among the top students or the most popular, feeling that his social life was minimal. After graduating in 1993, Cooper spent a year at Villanova University before transferring to Georgetown University. At Georgetown, he pursued a major in English and a minor in French, earning his Bachelor of Arts with honors in 1997. He was actively involved in the Georgetown Hoyas rowing team and participated in Nomadic Theatre. During his time at Georgetown, Cooper became fluent in French and spent six months abroad as an exchange student in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Cooper’s television debut occurred in 1999 with a brief role in Sex and the City alongside Sarah Jessica Parker. In 2000, he took on the role of a presenter for the travel series Globe Trekker, visiting places like Peru and Croatia, and also had a recurring part in the short-lived series The Street. Originally considering a career in diplomacy, Cooper decided to pursue acting and auditioned for a master’s program at the Actors Studio, where James Lipton selected him. He earned an MFA in acting from the Actors Studio Drama School at The New School in New York City in 2000. There, he trained under coach Elizabeth Kemp, who played a significant role in his development and provided guidance for many of his future projects. While living in New York City, Cooper worked as a doorman at the Morgans Hotel and briefly interacted with Robert De Niro and Sean Penn during question-and-answer sessions, which were later featured on Inside the Actors Studio.

Career

2001–2008: Early Career and Roles

Bradley Cooper skipped his MFA graduation to star in Wet Hot American Summer (2001), an ensemble comedy that served as his film debut. Set at a fictional summer camp in 1981, he played Ben, a counselor and the romantic interest of Michael Ian Black’s character. Although the movie did not initially achieve critical or commercial success, it gained a cult following. Cooper returned to the role in the prequel series Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015), an eight-episode Netflix production.

From 2001 to 2006, Cooper gained recognition in the television series Alias, where he portrayed Will Tippin, a local newspaper reporter and the best friend of Jennifer Garner’s character, Sydney Bristow. Garner was one of Cooper’s first connections in Los Angeles, and he described her as very caring and protective. A writer for Complex Networks highlighted his character as central to the first season. As his role on the show diminished, Cooper became frustrated and requested creator J.J. Abrams to remove his character. Shortly after, he tore his Achilles tendon while playing basketball. Cooper considered leaving acting during his recovery but was cast in Wedding Crashers (2005) in 2004. During this period, he also acted in the 2002 psychological thriller Changing Lanes, though his scenes were cut from the final version and only included in DVD and Blu-ray releases. Other roles from this time include Bending All the Rules (2002), the short-lived series Miss Match (2003), the TV movie I Want to Marry Ryan Banks (2004), and the WB series Jack & Bobby (2004–2005).

If you look at anybody who’s had along career, if you look at the choices they’ve made – even if the movies haven’t worked – they’ve always worked with great filmmakers.

Bradley Cooper

Cooper’s career took a positive turn with his role in David Dobkin’s comedy Wedding Crashers, where he starred alongside Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, and Rachel McAdams. He portrayed Sack Lodge, an aggressive and competitive boyfriend to McAdams’ character, Claire. Cooper felt that playing this antagonistic role changed how people perceived him, as he had previously been seen as the “nice guy.”¹ The film, produced with a $40 million budget, grossed over $285 million worldwide. In September 2005, Fox launched the sitcom Kitchen Confidential, based on Anthony Bourdain’s memoir, featuring Cooper in the lead role. Despite receiving positive reviews, the show was canceled after four episodes due to low ratings.

In March 2006, Cooper appeared on Broadway in Three Days of Rain alongside Julia Roberts and Paul Rudd. He then took on minor roles in the romantic comedy Failure to Launch (2006) and the satirical comedy The Comebacks (2007). In 2007, he guest-starred in the fifth season of Nip/Tuck as Aidan Stone, a TV star on the fictional show Hearts ‘N Scalpels. In 2008, Cooper played the lead in Older than America and performed in Theresa Rebeck’s play The Understudy at the Williamstown Theatre Festival with Kristen Johnston. Additionally, he appeared as the best friend of the main characters in the 2008 comedies Yes Man and The Rocker. That same year, Cooper secured the lead role in the horror film The Midnight Meat Train (2008), directed by Ryuhei Kitamura and based on Clive Barker’s short story. Playing a freelance photographer tracking a serial killer was a departure from his earlier comedic roles and an enjoyable experience for him. The movie was well-received by critics, but it didn’t do well at the box office.

2009–2012: Breakthrough

In early 2009, Bradley Cooper took the stage on Saturday Night Live alongside TV on the Radio. He famously impersonated Christian Bale in a sketch and secured a supporting role in He’s Just Not That Into You. His breakthrough occurred with Todd Phillips’ 2009 comedy The Hangover. In it, Cooper played Phil Wenneck, one of three friends who experienced a wild bachelor party in Las Vegas, only to wake up with no memory of the prior evening. The film was a hit, ranking as one of the top-grossing R-rated films in the U.S. A. O. Scott from The New York Times highlighted Cooper’s performance, noting his unique take on a familiar role with a blend of aggression and underlying anxiety.² Cooper’s role earned him an award at the 13th Hollywood Film Festival and his first MTV Movie Awards nomination for Best Comedic Performance. The Daily Telegraph suggested that this role transformed him into a recognized “bona fide leading man.”³ In a 2011 interview with Shave magazine, Cooper reflected on his career’s progression, noting more opportunities but maintaining his grounded perspective.⁴

Additionally, in 2009, Cooper appeared in Case 39, a psychological horror filmed earlier in 2006, and starred opposite Sandra Bullock in All About Steve. Despite its critical panning and box office failure, which led to a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Combo, Cooper continued to expand his filmography. He was part of the anthology film New York, I Love You, and the ensemble romantic comedy Valentine’s Day in 2010, which grossed over $215 million globally. His roles continued with Brother’s Justice and as Templeton “Faceman” Peck in The A-Team, though the latter met with negative reviews and poor box office performance. Cooper’s portrayal in The A-Team was noted for its narcissistic edge by Tim Robey of The Daily Telegraph, while Nev Pierce of Empire acknowledged his swagger.⁵ He also hosted WWE Raw in mid-2010.

2011 was a notable year for Cooper with the release of Limitless, a techno-thriller where he played a struggling writer who discovers a nootropic drug that dramatically improves his life. Despite initial doubts about its financial success, the film grossed $161 million worldwide and was praised for moving Cooper closer to major stardom. The sequel The Hangover Part II followed, grossing over $580 million globally despite mixed reviews. Mary Pols of Time praised Cooper’s performance for its comedic timing and charm.⁶ He was nominated for Favorite Comedic Movie Actor at the 38th People’s Choice Awards.

In 2012, Cooper starred in four films: The Words, Hit and Run, The Place Beyond the Pines, and Silver Linings Playbook. The Words and Hit and Run were commercial disappointments. In The Place Beyond the Pines, he played a rookie police officer in a role specifically written for him by director Derek Cianfrance, who convinced Cooper to accept the part. The film received positive reviews but had moderate box office returns. His role in Silver Linings Playbook, alongside Robert De Niro and Jennifer Lawrence, marked a significant point in his career. Cast as a man with bipolar disorder, Cooper embraced the complex role after initial hesitation, inspired by director David O. Russell’s confidence. The film was a commercial success, earning $236.4 million. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone praised Cooper’s performance as touching and vital.⁷ This role led to an MTV Movie Award for Best Performance and nominations for an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor.

2013–2017: Established Actor

In 2013, Bradley Cooper returned as Phil Wenneck in the third and final chapter of The Hangover series, The Hangover Part III. Despite being poorly received by critics, with a reviewer from The Independent noting Cooper seemed confined to merely reacting to the chaos around him, the film was a box office hit, grossing $362 million worldwide and ranking among Cooper’s most successful films. Later that year, he took a supporting role as an unpredictable FBI agent in David O. Russell’s American Hustle. Set against a 1970s New Jersey backdrop of political corruption and inspired by the real-life FBI Abscam operation, the film also featured Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Jennifer Lawrence. American Hustle achieved both critical and commercial success, amassing $251.1 million globally. Kim Newman of Empire acknowledged Cooper’s effort to bring life to his somewhat underwritten role through dynamic subtleties in his performance.⁸ Cooper’s portrayal earned him nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Critics’ Choice Movie Award, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Also in 2014, Cooper co-produced and starred as U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle in Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper, a biographical war drama based on Kyle’s memoir. Cooper gained 40 pounds of muscle to match Kyle’s robust build and undertook extensive sniper training with U.S. Navy SEAL veterans. American Sniper was both a critical and financial success, praised for Cooper’s powerful portrayal of Kyle and grossed $547 million globally, becoming his most successful live-action film to date. Cooper won an MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor; the film was also nominated for Best Picture.

The years 2015 to 2017 saw varying successes for Cooper. He starred in Cameron Crowe’s Aloha alongside Emma Stone and Rachel McAdams, which faced criticism and controversy over casting choices but earned him a Teen Choice Award nomination. In John Wells’ drama Burnt, he played a chef recovering from drug addiction, a role that received mixed reviews but showcased Cooper’s dedication. His supporting role in Joy, another collaboration with David O. Russell and Lawrence, further highlighted his versatile acting range. In 2016, he had a voice cameo in 10 Cloverfield Lane and appeared in War Dogs, produced by his and Todd Phillips’s company Joint Effort. In 2017, Cooper reprised his role as Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, continuing his streak of prominent and diverse roles.

2018–Present: Professional Expansion

After returning as Rocket Raccoon in Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, Bradley Cooper directed his first film, A Star Is Born, a remake of the classic 1937 movie. Cooper starred as Jackson Maine, an established singer, alongside Lady Gaga, who played Ally. Their characters’ romance intensifies as her career begins to eclipse his. Despite concerns that this third remake might jeopardize his directing aspirations, the film premiered at the 75th Venice International Film Festival and was released worldwide in October 2018 to widespread acclaim. Critics praised Cooper’s directional debut, with Owen Gleiberman from Variety commending his significant accomplishment¹¹ and Brian Tallerico from RogerEbert.com noting Cooper’s exceptional work in both directing and acting, particularly highlighting his and Gaga’s chemistry and his vocal performance.¹² The film was a box office success, earning over $436 million against a $36 million budget.

Cooper dedicated nearly four years to A Star Is Born, taking voice, piano, and guitar lessons six months before filming to prepare for his role. He and Gaga co-wrote and produced most of the soundtrack’s songs, which were recorded live per Gaga’s insistence. Cooper trained his voice for 18 months with vocal coach Roger Love. The soundtrack, blending blues rock, country, and pop, was well-received, with Billboard describing it as emotionally potent and timeless.¹³ It topped charts in the US, Ireland, and the UK, with its lead single “Shallow” achieving number one in multiple countries.

Cooper received numerous accolades for A Star Is Born, including a National Board of Review Award for Best Director and two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor in a Drama and Best Director. He also earned two Grammy nominations for “Shallow,” winning Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The soundtrack garnered seven Grammy nominations, and at the 72nd British Academy Film Awards, the film received seven nominations, with Cooper making history as the first person to receive five BAFTA nominations in a single ceremony.

Cooper appeared in The Mule in the same year, directed by Clint Eastwood, playing a DEA agent. In 2019, he co-produced Joker, which starred Joaquin Phoenix and became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, surpassing $1 billion worldwide. Cooper was nominated for Academy and BAFTA awards for Best Picture for his production role.

In 2021, Cooper starred in Licorice Pizza and Nightmare Alley, both of which were praised by critics but did not perform well at the box office. In Licorice Pizza, he played film producer Jon Peters, earning acclaim for his intense yet captivating performance. In Nightmare Alley, he portrayed a carnival worker, delivering what some critics called his most vulnerable performance to date.

Cooper continued to voice Rocket Raccoon in the Disney+ series I Am Groot and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in 2023. Next, he directed, produced, and co-wrote Maestro, a biographical drama about composer Leonard Bernstein, played by Cooper opposite Carey Mulligan. Despite controversy over his use of a prosthetic nose, Cooper received support from Bernstein’s family and critical acclaim for his direction and performance.

Looking ahead, Cooper is set to produce Joker: Folie à Deux and to direct and star in Is This Thing On?, collaborating with Will Arnett.

Personal Life

Bradley Cooper faced significant challenges early in his acting career. After his role in the second season of Alias was reduced to a very minor part, he considered leaving the industry. His battle with substance abuse and doubts about his career led him to contemplate suicide. Cooper credits his friend, actor Will Arnett, for helping him confront his addiction and seek therapy. Since 2004, Cooper has maintained sobriety, acknowledging that alcohol and drugs would have destroyed his life.

During a 2012 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Cooper recalled an incident that reflected his mental state at the time. At a party, he deliberately injured himself by hitting his head on a concrete floor, resulting in a hospital visit for stitches. He shared how his insecurities about how others perceived him fueled such reckless behavior and led him to the realization that he was on the path to ruining his life.¹⁴

Cooper became engaged to actress Jennifer Esposito in October 2006, and they married in December of the same year. By May 2007, she filed for divorce, finalized in November. Cooper explained that their short marriage was simply a situation both realized wasn’t right. In 2006, he met Renée Zellweger while filming Case 39, and although their relationship was speculated on in 2009, they broke up in 2011. Cooper dated actress Zoe Saldaña from December 2011 to January 2013. He later had a relationship with English model and actress Suki Waterhouse from 2013 to 2015. From April 2015 to June 2019, he was with Russian model Irina Shayk, with whom he has a daughter, Lea de Seine, born in March 2017. As of late 2023, Cooper has been in a relationship with model Gigi Hadid.

In a relationship you want to treat people the way you want to be treated.

Bradley Cooper

Cooper remains close to his family. Following his father’s death from lung cancer in 2011, Cooper moved to Los Angeles with his mother. He reflected on how fortunate he was to pause everything in his life to care for his father during his illness, describing the experience as overwhelming and stressful. Cooper has supported various cancer-related causes and became a board member for the charity Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in 2014. In 2016, he helped launch the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and was an executive producer for Stand Up to Cancer’s Fifth Biennial Telecast.

In 2009, Cooper participated in an Alzheimer’s Association campaign to raise awareness about the disease and later joined the Alzheimer’s Association Celebrity Champions to continue this effort. In 2015, he spoke at an event hosted by the National Geographic Society for the group Got Your 6, advocating for better representation of military veterans in media. A supporter of the Democratic Party, Cooper attended the 2016 Democratic National Convention, where Barack Obama delivered a speech, and expressed his admiration for Obama, calling him “an incredible president.”¹⁵ Cooper has also signed a letter advocating for action on climate change and biodiversity loss.

As a Philadelphia native, Cooper is a devoted fan of the NFL’s Eagles and has supported the team in various ways, including appearing in promotions and joining owner Jeffrey Lurie at games. He was present for the Eagles’ first Super Bowl win in 2018.

In October 2023, Cooper joined the “Artists4Ceasefire” campaign, signing an open letter calling on President Joe Biden to push for a ceasefire amid the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

Awards

• 2009: ShoWest Convention, USA, The Hangover, Special Award – Comedy Star of the Year
• 2009: Hollywood Film Awards, The Hangover, Comedy Actor of the Year
• 2010: Golden Raspberry Awards, All About Steve, Worst Screen Couple
• 2012: Hollywood Film Awards, Silver Linings Playbook, Actor of the Year
• 2012: Satellite Awards, Silver Linings Playbook, Best Actor – Motion Picture
• 2012: Capri Hollywood International Film Festival, Silver Linings Playbook, Capri Actor Award
• 2012: Capri Hollywood International Film Festival, Silver Linings Playbook, Capri Ensemble Cast Award
• 2013: Elle Style Awards, Best Actor
• 2013: MTV Movie & TV Awards, Silver Linings Playbook, Best Male Performance
• 2013: MTV Movie & TV Awards, Silver Linings Playbook, Best Kiss
• 2013: MTV Movie & TV Awards, Silver Linings Playbook, Best Musical Moment
• 2013: Screen Actors Guild Awards, American Hustle, Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
• 2013: Detroit Film Critics Society, American Hustle, Best Acting Ensemble
• 2013: New York Film Critics Online, American Hustle, Best Ensemble Cast
• 2013: San Diego Film Critics Society, American Hustle, Best Ensemble
• 2013: Seattle Film Critics Society, American Hustle, Best Ensemble Cast
• 2013: Capri Hollywood International Film Festival, American Hustle, Capri Ensemble Cast Award
• 2014: Palm Springs International Film Festival, American Hustle, Ensemble Cast Award
• 2014: Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, American Hustle, Best Acting Ensemble
• 2014: Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, American Sniper, Best Actor in an Action Movie
• 2015: MTV Movie & TV Awards, American Sniper, Best Male Performance
• 2015: Capri Hollywood International Film Festival, A Star Is Born, Director of the Year Award
• 2018: Venice Film Festival, A Star Is Born, Smithers Foundation Award
• 2018: Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, A Star Is Born, Best Acting Ensemble
• 2018: Satellite Awards, A Star Is Born, Best Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical
• 2018: Satellite Awards, A Star Is Born, Best Original Song – Feature Film
• 2019: Grammy Awards, Shallow, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
• 2019: Grammy Awards, A Star Is Born, Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
• 2019: American Film Institute Awards, A Star Is Born, Top 10 Films of the Year
• 2019: Dorian Awards, Shallow at the 91st Academy Awards, TV Musical Performance of the Year
• 2019: NRJ Music Awards, Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, International Duo/Group of the Year
• 2019: Swiss Music Awards, Shallow, Best International Hit
• 2019: Danish Music Awards, Shallow, International Hit of the Year
• 2020: AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards, Nightmare Alley, Best Ensemble
• 2020: AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards, Maestro, Best Time Capsule
• 2020: TEC Awards, A Star Is Born, Record Production – Album
• 2020: American Film Institute Awards, Joker, Top 10 Films of the Year
• 2024: Capri Hollywood International Film Festival, Maestro, Visionary Award
• 2024: Capri Hollywood International Film Festival, Maestro, Producers of the Year
• 2024: Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Maestro, Outstanding Performer of the Year Award
• 2024: American Film Institute Awards, Maestro, Top 10 Films of the Year

Final Reflections

Bradley Cooper’s biography serves as a source of motivation for many, as his success story reflects his passion and dedication. In addition to his acting accomplishments, he directed and starred in A Star is Born, a film that grossed over $436 million worldwide and earned him significant praise. With his diverse roles and contributions to cinema, Cooper’s life story shows the incredible possibilities that hard work can achieve, making him one of the most respected figures in Hollywood today.

Reference List for Bradley Cooper’s Biography

1. “Bradley Cooper Says ‘Wedding Crashers’ Role Changed His Reputation.” OK!, 11 Mar. 2011. ↩︎
2. Scott, A. O. “Dudes Doing Vegas in Todd Phillips’s Comedy.” The New York Times, 4 June 2009. ↩︎
3. Reid, Ricki. “Post-Hangover Bliss: Bradley Cooper Interview.” The Daily Telegraph, 23 Nov. 2012. ↩︎
4. Karim, Rameez. “Interview: Bradley Cooper.” ShaveMagazine.com. Archived copy, archived on 27 May 2011. ↩︎
5. Robey, Tim. “The A-Team, Review.” The Daily Telegraph, 29 July 2010. ↩︎
6. Pols, Mary. “The Hangover Part II: The Wolf Pack Is Back, and This Time They’ve Brought a Monkey.” Time, 25 May 2011. ↩︎
7. Travers, Peter. “Silver Linings Playbook.” Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2012. ↩︎
8. Newman, Kim. “American Hustle Review.” Empire, 3 Oct. 2013. ↩︎
9. Wilson, Jake. “Serena Review: Jennifer Lawrence in Her Element in Haunting, Imperfect Melodrama.” The Canberra Times, 1 Dec. 2014. Archived copy. ↩︎
10. Coveney, Michael. “The Elephant Man (Theatre Royal Haymarket).” WhatsOnStage, 1 June 2015. ↩︎
11. Gleiberman, Owen. “Venice Film Review: Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in ‘A Star Is Born’.” Variety, 31 Aug. 2018. ↩︎
12. Tallerico, Brian. “A Star Is Born Movie Review & Film Summary (2018).” RogerEbert.com, 5 Oct. 2018. ↩︎
13. Bliss, Karen. “Lady Gaga Praises ‘A Star Is Born’ Co-Star Bradley Cooper’s Talents at Toronto Premiere: ‘He Sings From His Soul’.” Billboard, 10 Sept. 2018. ↩︎
14. Galloway, Stephen. “Bradley Cooper: The Serious Evolution of a Leading Man.” The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sept. 2012. ↩︎
15. Wilstein, Matt. “Bradley Cooper Doesn’t Get DNC Uproar: Obama Was ‘An Incredible President’.” The Daily Beast, 3 Aug. 2016. ↩︎

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