Bradley Cooper is an American actor and filmmaker born on January 5, 1975. He’s received many awards including a British Academy Film Award and two Grammy Awards. Cooper has been nominated for twelve Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. He’s been featured on Forbes Celebrity 100 list three times and was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in 2015. His movies have made over $13 billion worldwide and he’s been ranked four times as one of the highest-paid actors globally.
Cooper started his career in television and film in 1999 with a small role in “Sex and the City.” He joined the Actors Studio’s Master of Fine Arts program in 2000. His film debut came in 2001 with “Wet Hot American Summer” he gained recognition for his role in the TV series “Alias” from 2001 to 2006. After a setback in his career on “Alias,” he bounced back with a notable part in “Wedding Crashers.” Cooper’s big break came in “The Hangover” a hugely successful comedy that led to sequels in 2011 and 2013. He continued to build his career with leading roles in “Limitless” and “The Place Beyond the Pines.”
Bradley Cooper achieved further success with “Silver Linings Playbook,” “American Hustle,” and “American Sniper” which he also produced. In 2014, he starred in a Broadway revival of “The Elephant Man” and began voicing Rocket in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Cooper wrote directed produced and starred in “A Star Is Born” winning a BAFTA Award and two Grammys for his contributions to the film’s soundtrack including the hit song “Shallow”. He has since produced thrillers like “Joker” and “Nightmare Alley” and directed and starred in the biographical drama “Maestro” as Leonard Bernstein.
People magazine named Bradley Cooper Sexiest Man Alive in 2011. He’s involved in charity work supporting cancer research. Cooper was previously married to actress Jennifer Esposito and has a daughter with model Irina Shayk.
| Full Name | Bradley Charles Cooper |
| Date of Birth | January 5, 1975 |
| Place of Birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Occupation | Actor, Filmmaker |
| Height | 6 ft (1.85 m) |
| Spouse | Jennifer Esposito Irina Shayk |
| Children | Lea De Seine |
| Net Worth | $120 Million |
Bradley Cooper’s Early Life and Education
Bradley Cooper was born on January 5, 1975, in Abington Township Pennsylvania close to Philadelphia. He grew up in Jenkintown and Rydal. His mom Gloria worked at Philadelphia’s NBC affiliate and his dad Charles was a stockbroker. His ancestry is Irish and Italian. Bradley had ear problems from a young age. He developed a passion for acting early on inspired by movies his dad showed him.
As a kid Bradley wasn’t focused on looks; people sometimes mistook him for a girl because of his long hair. He loved basketball and cooking often making food for friends after kindergarten. Initially, he dreamed of becoming a ninja in Japan or going to a military academy.
Despite his family’s initial preference for him to pursue finance, they eventually supported his acting aspirations. Bradley attended Germantown Academy and later Georgetown University where he studied English and French. During his time at Georgetown, he became fluent in French and spent time in France as an exchange student.
Bradley Cooper’s acting journey started with small roles in shows like “Sex and the City” and “Globe Trekker.” He further honed his skills at the Actors Studio Drama School in New York City where he earned his MFA in acting. There he trained with Elizabeth Kemp and worked odd jobs to support himself even interacting with acting legends like Robert de Niro and Sean Penn.
Career
Bradley Cooper’s journey in Hollywood started with the film “Wet Hot American Summer” in 2001 where he missed his MFA graduation to be part of the cast. Despite the movie not doing well initially, it gained a cult following later. He played Ben a counselor at a summer camp and reprised the role in the prequel series on Netflix in 2015.
In the TV show “Alias” from 2001 to 2006, Bradley Cooper gained recognition as Will Tippin a reporter and the best friend of Jennifer Garner’s character. His role was pivotal in the first season but as it diminished he became frustrated and eventually asked to leave the show after tearing his Achilles tendon. Despite setbacks like scenes being cut from movies Cooper persevered and was cast in bigger roles including “Wedding Crashers” in 2005 where he played a competitive and aggressive character marking a departure from his previous roles.
Cooper’s breakout came with “The Hangover” in 2009 a comedy that became a huge hit. His role as Phil Wenneck one of the friends waking up from a wild night in Las Vegas showcased his range and earned him critical acclaim. He continued to diversify his roles from hosting “Saturday Night Live” to starring in films like “Limitless” in 2011 and “Silver Linings Playbook” in 2012 the latter earning him multiple award nominations for his portrayal of a man with bipolar disorder.
In 2013, Bradley Cooper returned as Phil Wenneck in the final part of The Hangover trilogy “The Hangover Part III.” Critics didn’t like it much with one from The Independent saying Cooper mostly just reacted to things on screen. Despite this, the movie did well financially making $362 million worldwide one of Cooper’s top-grossing films.
That same year he played an intense FBI agent in “American Hustle” a film about political corruption in 1970s New Jersey. It starred Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Jennifer Lawrence. American Hustle was a hit with both critics and audiences earning over $251 million globally. Cooper’s performance earned him nominations for several major awards though he didn’t win any.
Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence teamed up again in “Serena” playing a couple who turn to crime after struggling with infertility. It didn’t do well with critics or at the box office. Later that year Cooper voiced Rocket Raccoon in “Guardians of the Galaxy” and starred on Broadway in “The Elephant Man” earning praise for his portrayal of Joseph Merrick.
In 2014, Bradley Cooper starred in “American Sniper” portraying Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. He underwent intense physical training and learned to use firearms from a real Navy SEAL. The film was a critical and commercial success earning over $547 million globally and becoming Cooper’s highest-grossing live-action film.
Bradley Cooper’s films in 2015 including “Aloha Burnt” and “Joy” didn’t do well financially. Despite this, he continued to work on diverse projects such as “A Star Is Born” which he directed and starred in alongside Lady Gaga. The film was a remake but received critical acclaim and earned over $436 million worldwide. Cooper’s dedication to the project included extensive training in singing and musical instruments.
He continued to expand his career with roles in films like “The Mule” and his production work on “Joker.” In recent years Cooper has been involved in both acting and directing showcasing his versatility and commitment to his craft. Looking ahead, Cooper is set to produce and star in upcoming projects like “Joker: Folie à Deux” and “Is This Thing On?” His career continues to evolve with each new challenge he takes on in Hollywood.
Net Worth
Bradley Cooper has an estimated net worth of $120 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The main source of Bradley Cooper’s net worth comes from his successful acting career, especially in high-grossing films like “The Hangover” series, “American Sniper,” and “A Star Is Born.” Besides acting, he has also earned money as a producer and director. Cooper’s role in “A Star Is Born” was particularly significant because he not only starred in it but also directed and produced the film, boosting his earnings significantly.
Additionally, he has made money from endorsements and voice acting roles, like Rocket Raccoon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His diverse talents in the entertainment industry have all contributed to his substantial wealth.
Personal Life
Bradley Cooper faced many challenges early in his acting career. After a small role on Alias was reduced even further he thought about quitting showbiz due to substance abuse and doubts about his future which led to suicidal thoughts. He credits actor Will Arnett for helping him tackle his addiction and seek therapy. Since 2004, Cooper has stayed away from alcohol and drugs recognizing their potential to ruin his life.
Bradley Cooper’s personal life has also seen ups and downs. He got engaged to actress Jennifer Esposito in October 2006 and they married in December of that year but their marriage ended with a divorce finalized in November 2007. Cooper reflected on their short-lived union describing it as something they both realized wasn’t meant to be. Before Esposito, he met Renée Zellweger during filming in 2006 sparking media speculation about their relationship around 2009 which reportedly ended in 2011.
His subsequent relationships included actress Zoe Saldaña from late 2011 to early 2013 followed by English model Suki Waterhouse from March 2013 to two years later. Cooper was in a relationship with Russian model Irina Shayk from April 2015 to June 2019 during which they had a daughter named Lea de Seine in March 2017. Since late 2023 he has been dating model Gigi Hadid.
Family holds great importance for Cooper. After his father passed away from lung cancer in 2011, Cooper moved with his mother to Los Angeles two years later. He described caring for his father during his illness as overwhelming and all-consuming. Cooper has since supported cancer-related charities and organizations including serving on the board of directors for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and participating in initiatives like the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy.
Bradley Cooper has also been involved in raising awareness for Alzheimer’s disease through campaigns and initiatives with the Alzheimer’s Association. He has spoken out for military veterans’ representation in popular culture and is politically active being a member of the Democratic Party and attending the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Despite assumptions about his political leanings due to his roles Cooper has clarified his admiration for Barack Obama and has advocated for environmental causes.
A native of Philadelphia, Bradley Cooper is a fan of the NFL’s Eagles and has supported the team in various capacities including promotional work and attending games with owner Jeffrey Lurie. He has also engaged in activism such as signing an open letter urging for a ceasefire during the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.
Awards
Bradley Cooper has won awards like the BAFTA Screen Actors Guild Award and two Grammy Awards. He’s been nominated for twelve Oscars six Golden Globes and a Tony Award.
According to review sites Rotten Tomatoes and Box Office Mojo, his most successful movies include “Wedding Crashers,” “The Hangover,” “Limitless,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” “American Hustle,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “American Sniper,” and “A Star Is Born,” On stage he starred in a Broadway production of “The Elephant Man” and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
