Words by Bradley Cooper’s career has unfolded in distinct acts. First came years of supporting roles, then comedy stardom, then a run of prestige performances, and finally a turn behind the camera that made him one of Hollywood’s most ambitious filmmakers.
Early life
Bradley Charles Cooper was born on January 5, 1975, in Philadelphia and grew up in the suburb of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. He studied English at Georgetown University, graduating with honors, and spent time in France on an exchange program, which left him fluent in French.
He then earned a master’s degree from the Actors Studio Drama School at the New School in New York. During that time he appeared as an audience questioner on “Inside the Actors Studio,” a moment that later became a well-known piece of trivia when he returned as a guest.
Early roles
Cooper’s first television role came in “Sex and the City” in 1999. He played Will Tippin, a reporter, on J.J. Abrams’s spy series “Alias” (2001–2006), and appeared in films including “Wet Hot American Summer” (2001) and “Wedding Crashers” (2005), as the villainous boyfriend Sack Lodge.
The Hangover
Todd Phillips’s “The Hangover” (2009) changed everything. Cooper played Phil, the cocky ringleader of a bachelor party gone wrong in Las Vegas. The R-rated comedy became one of the highest-grossing comedies of its time and spawned two sequels in 2011 and 2013.
Prestige run
Cooper then teamed with director David O. Russell. In “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012), he played Pat, a man with bipolar disorder rebuilding his life, opposite Jennifer Lawrence. The role earned him his first Oscar nomination for best actor. He followed with “American Hustle” (2013), earning a supporting actor nomination.
Clint Eastwood’s “American Sniper” (2014) cast him as Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. Cooper gained significant muscle for the part, which earned him a third straight acting nomination, and the film became a major box-office hit. He also voiced Rocket Raccoon in “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014) and its sequels.
A Star Is Born
Cooper made his directing debut with “A Star Is Born” (2018), the fourth film version of the story. He co-wrote, produced and starred as Jackson Maine, a fading rock star, opposite Lady Gaga. Cooper trained for months to sing and play guitar, and the pair performed live on camera.
The film was a critical and commercial success. It earned eight Oscar nominations, including best picture, and won for best original song for “Shallow,” which became a global hit.
Maestro
His second film as director, “Maestro” (2023), was a portrait of composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein and his marriage to actress Felicia Montealegre, played by Carey Mulligan. Cooper spent years learning to conduct, and his recreation of Bernstein leading Mahler’s Second Symphony at Ely Cathedral drew wide praise. The film earned seven Oscar nominations.
He followed it as a director with “Is This Thing On?” (2025), a comedy-drama set in New York’s stand-up scene.
Producer and stage
Cooper produced “Joker” (2019) and “Nightmare Alley” (2021), in which he also starred. On Broadway, he played Joseph Merrick in “The Elephant Man” (2014), earning a Tony nomination.
Personal life
Cooper has a daughter, Lea, with model Irina Shayk. He has spoken openly about his sobriety, which began in his late 20s, and has credited it with making his later career possible. He remains close to his mother, Gloria, who often attends events with him.
Legacy
Few actors have moved from broad comedy to serious filmmaking as convincingly as Cooper. With 12 Oscar nominations across acting, producing, writing and best picture, he has become one of the most respected creative forces of his generation.
Where to start
Watch “Silver Linings Playbook,” “American Sniper,” “A Star Is Born” and “Maestro,” with “The Hangover” for the comedy that made him famous.
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