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Latest News: Bradley Cooper Seeks First Oscar Win
Bradley Cooper is aiming to end his Oscar drought this Sunday at the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The 49-year-old actor is nominated in three categories: Best Actor for his role as composer Leonard Bernstein in Maestro, and for his work as a writer and producer on the 2023 biopic, which is also a contender for Best Picture.
Despite receiving a total of nine nominations over the years, including two for Best Actor for American Sniper and A Star Is Born, Cooper has yet to secure a coveted Oscar. Additionally, while he directed Maestro, he did not receive a nomination in that category. His co-star, Carey Mulligan, who portrayed Bernstein’s wife, Felicia Montealegre, is also in contention for her first Oscar with a nomination for Best Actress.
Who Is Bradley Cooper?
Bradley Cooper is an acclaimed American actor and filmmaker known for his versatile performances across both television and film. He made his television debut with a guest appearance on the iconic series Sex and the City and continued to build his resume with roles in shows such as The Street and Jack & Bobby. His early film credits include Wet Hot American Summer and Carnival Knowledge.
Cooper’s breakthrough came in 2005 with the commercial success of Wedding Crashers, which significantly elevated his career. He further solidified his status as a leading actor with prominent roles in blockbuster hits like The Hangover, Valentine’s Day, and several others. His talent has been recognized with multiple Academy Award nominations for his performances in critically acclaimed films including Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, American Sniper, and A Star Is Born.
Early Life
Bradley Charles Cooper was born on January 5, 1975, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Despite his remarkable success in the entertainment industry, Cooper initially discovered a passion for cooking during his childhood. He fondly recalls inviting friends over after kindergarten to prepare meals for them, proudly stating, “I took whatever was in the fridge and turned it into lasagna,” in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
After graduating from Georgetown University in 1997 with a degree in English, Cooper shifted his focus from culinary pursuits to acting. He enrolled in a master’s degree program at the Actors Studio Drama School in New York City, where he began to hone his craft. It was during his time as a student that he secured his first television commercial for a fast-food chain, marking the beginning of his career in the performing arts.
Early TV and Movie Roles
Wet Hot American Summer and Alias
Bradley Cooper made his television debut in 1999 with a guest appearance on the acclaimed HBO series Sex and the City. He subsequently appeared in the short-lived drama The $treet, which explored the financial sector. Cooper’s first film role came in the 2001 comedy Wet Hot American Summer. Following this, he returned to television to take on a significant supporting role in J.J. Abrams’ popular spy series Alias (2001-2006). For three seasons, he portrayed Will Tippin, a journalist and close friend of covert agent Sydney Bristow, played by Jennifer Garner.
Jack & Bobby and Wedding Crashers
While still involved with Alias, Cooper featured in the independent drama Carnival Knowledge (2002) and the thriller My Little Eye (2002). After leaving Alias in 2003, he took on recurring roles in the sitcom Jack & Bobby (2004-2005) and the crime drama Touching Evil (2004). On the big screen, he gained further recognition for his role as a brutish jock in the successful comedy Wedding Crashers (2005), alongside Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn.
Kitchen Confidential
In 2005, Cooper starred in his own television series, Kitchen Confidential (2005-2006), which was based on the memoir of renowned chef Anthony Bourdain. Although the show received positive critical acclaim, it struggled in the ratings and was ultimately canceled. Demonstrating his willingness to embrace diverse opportunities, Cooper made his Broadway debut in the 2006 drama Three Days of Rain, sharing the stage with Julia Roberts and Paul Rudd.
Becoming a Movie Star
Early Comedic Success
Following the success of Wedding Crashers, Bradley Cooper solidified his position in the comedic film genre with a series of notable roles. He appeared in the romantic comedy Failure to Launch (2006), alongside Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker. Although the film received a lukewarm reception, Cooper achieved significant box office success with Yes Man (2008), in which he starred opposite Jim Carrey. Additionally, Cooper took on a role in the 2009 ensemble comedy He’s Just Not That Into You, inspired by the popular self-help book. In this film, he portrayed an unfaithful husband entangled with Scarlett Johansson’s character.
Breakthrough with The Hangover and Sequels
In 2009, Cooper further showcased his comedic prowess in the blockbuster The Hangover, where he starred alongside Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis. The film follows three friends who journey to Las Vegas for a bachelor party, only to awaken with no memory of the previous night and their friend missing. The film’s immense success led to two sequels, released in 2011 and 2013, further establishing Cooper as a leading man in Hollywood.
Diverse Roles: All About Steve and The A-Team
Cooper’s career continued to evolve with the romantic comedy All About Steve (2009), where he starred opposite Sandra Bullock, though the film struggled at the box office. In contrast, his next project, Valentine’s Day (2010), proved more successful, featuring an ensemble cast that included Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, and Patrick Dempsey, with Cooper portraying the boyfriend of Eric Dane’s character.
In the summer of 2010, Cooper took on the role of Face in the film adaptation of the beloved television series The A-Team. This action-packed film also starred Liam Neeson, Quinton Jackson, and Jessica Biel, further broadening Cooper’s appeal.
Transition to Action-Thrillers
Cooper’s transition into more action-oriented roles was marked by the thriller Limitless (2011), based on Alan Glynn’s novel The Dark Fields, which also featured Robert De Niro. He continued to explore this genre with projects such as Hit and Run (2011) and The Place Beyond the Pines (2012), showcasing his versatility as an actor and solidifying his status in the film industry.
Oscar Nominations and Other Roles
Silver Linings Playbook
Bradley Cooper made a significant transition from leading man to critically acclaimed actor with his performance in Silver Linings Playbook (2013), directed by David O. Russell. In this film, Cooper portrays Pat Solitano, a man striving to reintegrate into society after his release from a mental health facility. The film garnered seven Academy Award nominations at the 2013 Oscars, including Best Picture and nominations in all four major acting categories. Although Cooper lost the Best Actor award to Daniel Day-Lewis for his role in Lincoln (2012), his co-star Jennifer Lawrence won the Oscar for Best Actress.
American Hustle and Joy
Cooper continued his fruitful collaboration with David O. Russell in American Hustle (2013), an ensemble piece set in the 1970s. His portrayal of FBI agent Richie DiMaso earned him another Oscar nomination, this time in the Supporting Actor category. In 2015, he reunited with Russell and Lawrence for Joy, which tells the story of inventor Joy Mangano.
Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers
In 2014, Cooper lent his voice to Rocket Raccoon in the Marvel blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy, based on the comic book series. He reprised this role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and appeared in ensemble superhero films Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019).
The Elephant Man on Broadway and American Sniper
Cooper returned to Broadway in the fall of 2014 with a lead role in the acclaimed revival of The Elephant Man, a play centered on the life of Joseph Merrick. His performance earned him a Tony nomination in April 2015. Additionally, Cooper starred in Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper, which chronicles the life of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. This role marked Cooper’s third Oscar nomination.
Burnt and War Dogs
In 2015, Cooper appeared as a military contractor in the romantic comedy Aloha, before revisiting an earlier role in the Netflix series Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. Later that year, he portrayed a two-star Michelin chef aiming for a comeback in Burnt, featuring Sienna Miller, Uma Thurman, and Emma Thompson. He subsequently co-starred with Jonah Hill and Miles Teller in War Dogs (2016), where he played an arms dealer.
A Star Is Born
Cooper made a remarkable directorial debut with the remake of A Star Is Born (2018), in which he also starred alongside Lady Gaga. Their collaboration resulted in the Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning song “Shallow.” The film received multiple Oscar nominations, including Best Actor and Best Actress for its stars, as well as Best Picture.
Later that year, Cooper appeared in Clint Eastwood’s The Mule, portraying a DEA agent tracking the drug runner played by the director.
Ex-Wife and Daughter
Bradley Cooper was married to actress Jennifer Esposito from 2006 to 2007. Throughout his career, he has been linked romantically to several notable figures, including actresses Renée Zellweger and Zoe Saldana, as well as model Suki Waterhouse. In 2015, he began a relationship with model Irina Shayk, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Lea de Seine Shayk Cooper, in March 2017. After four years together, Cooper and Shayk announced their separation in June 2019.