Bradley Cooper
Biography
Bradley Charles Cooper (born January 5, 1975) is an American actor, director, and producer. He was born in Abington Township, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the nearby communities of Jenkintown and Rydal. After graduating from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1997, he enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program at the Actors Studio Drama School in New York City.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Cooper's professional acting career began with a guest role in the television series Sex and the City in 1999. He then appeared in the ensemble comedy Wet Hot American Summer (2001) and gained recognition for his role as Will Tippin in the television series Alias (2001–2006). Following supporting roles in films like Wedding Crashers (2005), his breakthrough came with the commercially successful comedy The Hangover in 2009, which spawned two sequels.
Rise to Prominence
Cooper's career continued to ascend with leading roles in films such as the thriller Limitless (2011) and the crime drama The Place Beyond the Pines (2012). He received widespread critical acclaim and his first Academy Award nomination for his performance in the romantic comedy-drama Silver Linings Playbook (2012). This was followed by two more consecutive Oscar nominations for his roles in the black comedy American Hustle (2013) and the war biopic American Sniper (2014), which he also produced. In 2014, he also took on the voice role of Rocket in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Guardians of the Galaxy.
Directorial Debut and Recent Work
In 2018, Cooper made his directorial debut with a remake of A Star Is Born, which he also co-wrote, produced, and starred in opposite Lady Gaga. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning him Academy Award nominations for Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture. He also won a British Academy Film Award and two Grammy Awards for his contributions to the film's soundtrack, including the hit song "Shallow". Cooper later directed, co-wrote, and starred in the biographical drama Maestro (2023), portraying the composer Leonard Bernstein, a role that earned him further award nominations.
Stage Work
In addition to his film career, Cooper has also worked on stage. In 2014, he starred in a Broadway revival of The Elephant Man, portraying Joseph Merrick. His performance was highly praised and earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Bradley Cooper has received numerous accolades. He has won a British Academy Film Award and three Grammy Awards. He has been nominated for twelve Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. In 2015, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.