Why Bradley Cooper Considered Himself 'Lucky' on Sobriety Journey
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Bradley Cooper is officially 19 years sober, and looking back on how he got here, he thinks he "was lucky."
The actor opened up about his sobriety journey during an episode of National Geographic’s Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge, with Cooper telling British adventurer Bear Grylls, "I was lucky. I got sober at 29 years old, and I’ve been sober for 19 years. I'm very lucky.”
Grylls asked Cooper, "But you definitely had some wild years?" To which the actor said, "In terms of alcohol and drugs, yeah. But nothing to do with fame, though."
The actor's big break in the industry was arguably when he secured the role of Phil in the 2009 hit The Hangover. At the time, Cooper would've been in his mid-30s and already sober.
"The Hangover was pretty career-changing," he told Grylls. "I was 36 when that happened, so I was already in the game for 10 years just banging around, so I didn’t get lost in fame."
Cooper also discussed working on A Star Is Born, which he starred in and directed. As his character deals with alcohol addiction, Grylls asked the 48-year-old if having dealt with his own addiction helped him take on the intense project.
He replied, "It made it easier to be able to really enter in there," before adding, “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."
The Guardians of the Galaxy actor went on, "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."
Cooper's hopes seem to be a reality as the actor's career continues to thrive, with the 48-year-old set to star in the upcoming Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro. In addition to his successful career in front of the camera, off-screen, he happily co-parents his 6-year-old daughter Lea with ex Irina Shayk.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
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