Bradley Cooper Almost Quit Acting Before Being Offered Recent Role

Bradley Cooper revealed he almost gave up his acting career a few years ago before a director offered him a new role.

No stranger to awards season, Cooper has been nominated for Best Actor numerous times, including for Silver Linings Playbook and A Star is Born. 

It therefore came as a surprise when the A-List actor revealed he was close to giving it all up a few years ago in a new conversation with Mahershala Ali. 

Cooper began: “I just turned 47, I’ve been doing this for a long time. I have a crazy work ethic. That is definitely true.” 

Alamy

Unfortunately for Cooper, he said: “The directors I admired weren’t hiring me.” 

Cue his directorial saviour, Paul Anderson. 

The Guardians of the Galaxy actor continued: “The reason that I didn’t give up acting is Paul Thomas Anderson. 

“When he called me to, maybe, be in his movie, Mahershala, I mean really, I think I’d open up a door in his movie. I’d do anything.” 

Licorice Pizza, set in the 1970s, centres around a tumultuous relationship between child-actor Gary Valentine, played by Cooper Hoffman, and the older Alana, played by Alana Haim.  

Cooper takes on a supporting role as film producer, Jon Peters. 

His admiration for Paul Anderson was..., as he said: “I spent three and a half weeks with Paul. I watched all the camera tests. He was teaching me all about lenses, things I never knew. 

“I was like a sponge. I’m not sure I’ve ever trusted a director as much as I’ve trusted Paul.” 

Alamy

The conversation also touched on Cooper’s role in Nightmare Alley, directed by Guillermo del Toro, which is currently out in cinemas.  

Set in 1940s New York, Cooper plays a mysterious carnival worker, a role that saw him replace Leonardo Di Caprio who originally had the part. 

Aside from his notable acting roles, Cooper also received considerable praise for his debut director performance for A Star is Born. 

However, Cooper was previously forced to deny romance rumours between him and co-star, Lady Gaga, thanks to their steamy performance at the Oscars. 

Cooper told The Hollywood Reporter that they were in fact acting when they performed 'Shallow', which went on to win Gaga the song writing gong. 

According to the publication, he wanted the moment to unfold like a scene from the movie in a bid to help keep his own fears about singing live at bay. 

Topics: Bradley Cooper