Bradley Cooper, 48, admits he is ‘very lucky’ to have achieved sobriety for nearly 20 years following past alcohol and cocaine addiction
Bradley Cooper expressed that he felt ‘very lucky’ to have achieved sobriety for nearly 20 years after past addictions during a recent episode of Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge.
The Oscar winner, 48, who sparked ‘Jewface’ controversy over a prosthetic nose while portraying Leonard Bernstein in Maestro biopic, discussed the entertainment industry with the British adventurer as they explored the Wyoming canyons.
At one point during the conversation, the actor stated that he felt he did not ‘get lost in fame,’ prompting the TV personality to question, ‘But you definitely had some wild years?’
The star replied, ‘In terms of alcohol and drugs, yeah, but nothing to do with fame though. But I was lucky. I got sober at 29-years-old, and I’ve been sober for 19 years. Very lucky.’
In the 2018 film, A Star Is Born, Cooper worked alongside Lady Gaga where he portrayed an alcohol addict and musician named Jack.
Opening up: Bradley Cooper, 48, expressed that he felt ‘very lucky’ to have achieved sobriety for nearly 20 years after past addictions during a recent episode of Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge
Fame: At one point during the conversation, the actor stated that he felt he did not ‘get lost in fame,’ prompting the TV personality to question, ‘But you definitely had some wild years?’; seen in April in Hollywood
Due to his past struggles and addictions with both alcohol and cocaine, Bradley admitted, ‘It made it easier to be able to really enter in there,’ in regards to taking on such a role.
‘And thank goodness I was at a place in my life where I was at ease with all of that so I could really let myself go. I’ve been very lucky with the roles I’ve had to play. It’s been a real blessing. I hope I get to keep doing it.’
Later in the episode, the star also reflected on another dark period in his life that occurred when his father passed away in 2011 after a battle with lung cancer. ‘He gave me a huge gift. He died in my arms. To see that kind of factual example of mortality…’
‘I definitely had a nihilistic attitude towards life after,’ he added, with the TV personality asking, ‘What of, like?’
‘Just like, “Oh, I’m gonna die,” you know?’ the A-lister explained while looking out at the scenery that surrounded the two. ‘I don’t know…it was not great for a little bit.’
Bradley continued, ‘Until I realized I just had to embrace who I actually am. And try to find peace with that. And then it sort of evened out.’
The Hangover star also opened up up fatherhood and raising his six-year-old daughter, Lea, whom he shares with model, Irina Shayk — who notably has sparked up a romance with former NFL player, Tom Brady.
‘I think, I mean, you learn from your predecessor’s mistakes. And I’ll make tons that hopefully Lea will learn from. And then…end up being rigorous with myself to grow, to help unburden her with any of my s**t.’
‘Lucky’: The star replied, ‘In terms of alcohol and drugs, yeah, but nothing to do with fame though. But I was lucky. I got sober at 29-years-old, and I’ve been sober for 19 years. Very lucky’
Dealing with loss: Later in the episode, the star also reflected on another dark period in his life that occurred when his father passed away in 2011 after a battle with lung cancer
Fatherhood: The Hangover star also opened up up fatherhood and raising his six-year-old daughter, Lea, whom he shares with model, Irina Shayk; the former couple seen in 2018 in NYC
Last year in June, Bradley further dove into a discussion about his past addictions during an appearance on Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes’ podcast titled, Smartless.
He admitted to battling a severe addiction to cocaine in the early years of his career, revealing that he became ‘so lost’ in substance abuse as a means of dealing with low self-esteem after he was demoted from a lead role in TV series Alias.
Cooper also explained that being demoted to a guest star in the show’s third season completely demoralized him and contributed to him developing a ‘problem with drugs and alcohol.’
‘I was so lost and I was addicted to cocaine — that was the other thing,’ he said of the trying time when his career seemed adrift.
His physical struggles also contributed to his condition. ‘I severed my Achilles tendon right after I got fired-slash-quit Alias,’ he explained, adding that he suffered from terrible self-esteem.
Bradley was originally part of the main cast with star Jennifer Garner on Alias’ first two seasons, from 2001 to 2003.
But then he saw his character reduced to special guest status, and he only appeared on two additional episodes — once in 2003 during the third season, and then a final appearance in a season five episode in 2006.
While chatting with his friends, Bradley noted that he was lucky that his addiction struggles happened when he was relatively young and still developing his acting career.
The beginning: Cooper also explained that being demoted to a guest star in Alias’ third season completely demoralized him and contributed to him developing a ‘problem with drugs and alcohol’; seen in May 2022 in NYC
‘I did have the benefit of that happening when I was 29. I thought I made it when I got a Wendy’s commercial. … In terms of the made-it thing, that’s when I made it,’ he revealed.
‘But I definitely did not feel, moving to Los Angeles for Alias, feeling like I was back in high school: I could not get into any clubs, no girls wanted to look at me. I was totally depressed.’
A popular supporting role in Wedding Crashers and his star-making lead turn in The Hangover helped resuscitate his career and put him on the path to A-list status.
‘It wasn’t really until The Hangover. I was 36 when I did The Hangover, so I got to go through all those things before fame even played into my existence on a daily level. So all that happened before any of that,’ he explained.
But Will Arnett, a longtime friend of Bradley’s, thought that coming to terms with his addiction was a necessary ‘metamorphosis’ before he could shoot to fame with The Hangover.
‘Having those realizations and having that change allowed you to— that’s what opened you up and allowed you to be you,’ opined the Arrested Development star, which Bradley agreed with.
‘It’s true,’ he admitted. ‘I definitely made major breakthroughs at 29 to 33, 34, where at least I was able to stand in front of somebody and breathe and listen and talk.’
Bradley has also made another milestone in his career by directing, co-writing, producing and taking on the leading role in the upcoming Netflix biopic, Maestro, where he portrays composer, Leonard Bernstein, alongside Carey Mulligan.
Upcoming project: Bradley has also made another milestone in his career by directing, co-writing, producing and taking on the leading role in the upcoming Netflix biopic, Maestro, where he portrays composer, Leonard Bernstein
Backlash: However, the actor has received backlash amid ‘Jewface’ controversy for wearing a prosthetic nose to play the role of Bernstein
However, the actor has received backlash amid ‘Jewface’ controversy for wearing a prosthetic nose to play the role of Bernstein.
Earlier this week, Leonard’s family spoke out and defended Bradley amid the backlash. His children, Jamie, Alexander and Nina Bernstein, issued a statement on Tuesday and expressed, ‘It happens to be true that he had a nice big nose.’
The trio also revealed that the star included them ‘along every step of his amazing journey as he made’ the anticipated film.
‘We were touched to the core to witness the depth of his commitment, his loving embrace of our father’s music, and the sheer open-hearted joy he brought to the exploration,’ they added.
‘It breaks our heart to see any misrepresentations or misunderstandings of his efforts.’
‘Bradley chose to use makeup to amplify his resemblance, and we’re perfectly fine with that,’ the three also wrote.
Defending: His children, Jamie, Alexander and Nina Bernstein, issued a statement on Tuesday and expressed, ‘It happens to be true that he had a nice big nose’
Anticipated: The first trailer for Maestro dropped on Tuesday, and the project is slated to premiere in select theaters in November, and on Netflix on December 20
‘We’re also certain our dad would have been fine with it as well. Any strident complaints around this issue strike us, above all, disingenuous attempts to bring a successful person down a notch.’
‘At all times during the making of this film, we could feel the profound respect and yes, the love that Bradley brought to his portrait of Leonard Bernstein and his wife, our mother Felicia.’
‘We feel so fortunate to have had this experience with Bradley, and we can’t wait for the world to see his creation,’ his children concluded in the statement.
The first trailer for Maestro dropped on Tuesday, and the project is slated to premiere in select theaters in November, and on Netflix on December 20.
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