Bradley Cooper recently participated in an episode of the National Geographic series Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge, and during his time with the famous survivalist he ended up reflecting on his life and career. During one particularly raw conversation, Cooper opened up about his previous issues with alcohol, and getting sober almost 20 years ago.
When asked by Grylls whether he had any “wild years” back when he was on the come-up in Hollywood with early roles in Wet Hot American Summer, Alias and Wedding Crashers, Cooper replied: “”In terms of alcohol and drugs, yeah. But nothing to do with fame, though.”
“But I was lucky,” he continued. “I got sober at 29 years old, and I’ve been sober for 19 years. I’ve been very lucky.”
Cooper went on to explain how his own experiences with addiction and sobriety helped to inform his performance in his 2018 directorial debut A Star Is Born, in which he played an alcoholic musician. “It made it easier to be able to really enter in there,” he said. “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.”
He is the latest male celebrity to speak about his journey with sobriety: Yellowstone actor Wes Bentley, Jackass star Steve-O and CrossFit legend Mat Fraser have all recently shared how getting sober has improved their lives.
Cooper’s next project is Maestro, in which he portrays American composer Leonard Bernstein. The film has already come under criticism following the release of the trailer, in which Cooper can be seen wearing a prominent prosthetic nose, prompting some Jewish viewers to comment that he is playing into anti-Semitic stereotypes.
While Cooper has not directly addressed the controversy, he did say in his conversation with Grylls that he feels fortunate to have had such diversity of opportunity in his career, remarking: “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.”
Philip Ellis is News Editor at Men’s Health, covering fitness, pop culture, sex and relationships, and LGBTQ+ issues. His work has appeared in GQ, Teen Vogue, Man Repeller and MTV, and he is the author of Love & Other Scams.
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