Bradley Cooper is open about his sobriety. On a recent episode of Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge, the Maestro star admitted to being “lucky,” revealing that he has now been clean for over two decades.
While doing death-defying nature stunts, Grylls asked Cooper whether he had any “wild years” in his career, prompting the actor to reminisce on how he landed his breakthrough role a decade into his career. “The hangover was pretty career-changing,” he explained. “I was 36 when that happened, so I’d already been in the game for 10 years just banging around, so I didn’t get lost in fame. He went on to say that he got lost “in terms of alcohol and drugs,” but it had “nothing to do” with his celebrity. “I was lucky,” he said. “I got sober at the age of 29 and have been sober for 19 years. “I’ve been extremely fortunate.”
He went on to say that his personal drug difficulties influenced his Oscar-nominated performance as musician Jackson Maine in A Star Is Born. “It made it easier to be able to really enter there,” he remarked. “And thank goodness I was at a point in my life where I was at ease with all of that because I was able to really let myself go. I’ve been quite fortunate in the positions I’ve held. It’s been a huge help. “I’m hoping to keep doing it.”
Cooper has previously spoken publicly about his recovery, claiming that Will Arnett helped him understand when he had reached “rock bottom” in a 2022 edition of Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes’ SmartLess podcast. Cooper admitted in 2004 that he had developed “mean humor” based on prominent comedians, which did not transfer at a dinner party. “I was like, ‘I thought it was fantastic.'” I believed I was murdering.’ ‘You were a genuine *sshole, man,’ Will Arnett said. “That was the first time I realized I had a drug and alcohol problem. “The guy who I thought was making fun of me is telling me the truth, and it has changed my entire life.”
He went on to describe another critical occasion that prompted him to seek assistance, admitting that Arnett had asked him if he had put his dog out, and he realized it was already 4 p.m. “I was so lost and addicted to cocaine,” he explained. “In July of 2004, Will took the risk of having that difficult conversation with me, and it set me on the path of deciding to change my life. It was, indeed, Will Arnett. He is the cause.”