4. American Ninja
Cooper’s initial goal in life was to attend a military academy and then move to Japan to become a ninja. Ninja, please.
5. Based on a True Story
At an early age, his father introduced him to films like The Elephant Man, which inspired him to be an actor. His parents were skeptical of his career choice until they saw him play the part of John Merrick in an excerpt from the play. Because if Bradley Cooper can play ugly, then you know he’s a good actor.
6. A French Kiss
Cooper is fluent in French and spent six months as an exchange student in Aix-en-Provence, France. Not that he needed it. His eyes already say, “Voulez vous coucher avec moi.”
7. Putting the Sex in Sex and the City
Cooper’s television debut was in Sex and the City in 1999, where he made a brief appearance opposite Sarah Jessica Parker.
ALA The American Library Association, Flickr
8. Professional Chivalry
While studying acting in New York City, Cooper worked as a doorman.
Steve Grayson, Getty Images
9. Putting the Hot in Wet Hot American Summer
Cooper’s cinematic debut was in the 2001 ensemble comedy Wet Hot American Summer where he played a camp counselor and Michael Ian Black’s love interest. The film has since developed a cult following due, in no small part, to Cooper’s wet hot involvement.
USA Films, Wet Hot American Summer(2001)
10. Don’t Forget to Signal
He got a small part in 2002’s Changing Lanes, but his scenes were edited out of the movie. They were restored on the Blu-Ray releases, no doubt after Cooper became a star.
Carlos González Santos, Wikimedia Commons
11. Where There’s a Will…
Cooper spent five years on the TV series Alias, playing local reporter Will Tippin and Jennifer Garner’s best friend.
12. Maternal Instincts
Cooper says that Jennifer Garner was one of the first people he met in Los Angeles and was “very maternal. She wanted to take care of me, make sure I was okay all the time.” Yeah. We want to take care of you too, Bradley.
Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images
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13. Sack Up
Cooper’s career got a boost from the 2005 comedy Wedding Crashers in which he played Sack Lodge, Rachel McAdam’s arrogant and aggressive boyfriend who is obsessed with winning. Cooper believes that this role helped him break out of the “nice guy” mold.
New Line Cinema, Wedding Crashers(2005)
14. Nice Guys Finish Last
Cooper next played the lead role in Kitchen Confidential, portraying a surrogate of chef Anthony Bourdain. Despite positive reviews, the show lasted only four episodes due to dismal ratings.
Michael Loccisano, Getty Images
15. All Aboard
Playing a freelance photographer trying to track down a serial killer, Cooper received positive reviews for his work in The Midnight Meat Train, which sounds an awful lot like a term you’d find in Urban Dictionary. Hey, if Cooper is involved, sign us up.
Lakeshore Entertainment, The Midnight Meat Train(2008)
16. When Celebrities Attack
In February 2009, Cooper got to host Saturday Night Live and, in one of the skits, mocked Christian Bale, who he would later co-star with in American Hustle. Awkward.
17. You Had One Job!
Cooper’s breakthrough role was in the 2009 comedy The Hangover where he played Phil Wenneck, one of three friends who attend a bachelor party in Las Vegas and lose the bachelor, which is widely considered to be a bachelor party no-no.
18. C-C-C-Combo Breaker
For his work opposite Sandra Bullock in the comedy All About Steve, Cooper and Bullock received a Golden Raspberry Award for “Worst Screen Combo.” We blame Bullock.
Eva Rinaldi, Flickr
19. A Nice Body of Work
Cooper underwent grueling workouts and a strict diet to build the muscle needed to play Templeton “Faceman” Peck in a big-screen remake of The A-Team. The film released to negative reviews and poor box office returns. Still… for those of us who have eyes, Cooper’s dedication was worth it.
20. Know Your Limits
In the film Limitless, Cooper played a struggling writer given a drug that temporarily made his brain smart and stuff. Drug make his life good. Movie make money. We need more drug.
21. It’s an Honor Just to be Nominated
Cooper received nominations for an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor for his work as a divorced bipolar former teacher in David O. Russell’s romantic comedy-drama Silver Linings Playbook, which also starred Hollywood darling Jennifer Lawrence.
22. So You Think You Can Dance
To prepare for the role, Cooper took dance lessons with choreographer Mandy Moore who described Cooper as having “some real natural dancing ability.” Of course he can dance. Of course.
The Weinstein Company, Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
23. The Hustle is Real
For his role in 2013’s American Hustle, Cooper received more Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
24. Always a Bridesmaid
In 2014, Cooper received yet another Academy Award nomination for his role in American Sniper making him only the tenth actor in history to receive an Academy Award nomination in three consecutive years.
Village Roadshow Pictures, American Sniper(2014)
25. Shooting Blanks
In 2014, Cooper starred in Serena, a period piece opposite Jennifer Lawrence in which he and Lawrence play a couple who become criminals after realizing they can’t have children. The movie did poorly both commercially and critically because the audience was probably really disappointed that they didn’t get to see how gorgeous those kids would have been.
2929 Entertainment, Serena (2014)
26. Let the Fur Fly
That same year, Cooper lent his voice to Rocket Raccoon, the tiny sociopathic mammal from Guardians of the Galaxy. This film was much better received, demonstrating that, as partners-in-crime go, Jennifer Lawrence isn’t as good as a tree.
Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
27. Tony Tony Tony
Also in 2014, Cooper went back to his roots, portraying Joseph Merrick in a Broadway revival of The Elephant Man, garnering a nomination for a Tony Award, and a better understanding of it what it’s like to not be blindingly handsome.
28. On the Wagon
Cooper has had struggles with alcohol, and he hasn’t had a drink since 2004, remarking that it would have destroyed his life. It’s okay Brad. Stay off the bottle. There are better uses for your lips.
Ron Adar, Shutterstock
29. It’s Not for Everyone
Cooper was briefly married to actress Jennifer Esposito, but they were divorced within months because they realized that it was a mistake to only allow one woman to experience Bradley Cooper.
30. A Lovely Pairing
Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence have co-starred in four movies: Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, Serena, and Joy.
Christopher Polk , Getty Images
31. The Friend Zone
When asked why he and frequent co-star Jennifer Lawrence never got involved romantically, Cooper said that the actress was “too young,” which would have been more believable had he not been dating a 23-year old at the time. The real reason? Cooper doesn’t want to ruin their friendship, but honestly, if your friendship can’t withstand a little hanky panky with Bradley Cooper, then how good can your friendship be?
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