Bradley Cooper Revealed That He Almost Quit Acting Before "Licorice Pizza"

·2 min read

Bradley Cooper's got a few movies in theaters right now — and he really knocks it out of the park portraying larger-than-life film producer Jon Peters in Paul Thomas Anderson's latest, Licorice Pizza.

Cooper smashes the windows of two cars and he kneels in between them
MGM / courtesy Everett Collection

Even though he's in the film for just a few minutes, Cooper's performance is one of its most memorable aspects — proof of his undeniable talent as an actor. Which is why it's surprising that he recently almost gave up acting entirely.

Cooper puts his hand on Cooper Hoffman's shoulders in a scene from the film
MGM / courtesy Everett Collection

In a conversation with Mahershala Ali for Variety's "Actors on Actors" series, Cooper admitted that he almost hung it up entirely before PTA offered him the role in Licorice Pizza.

Cooper walks down the street with his hand in his pocket
Raymond Hall / Getty Images

"The reason that I didn't give up acting is Paul Thomas Anderson," he said. "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."

Cooper poses for a photo at a step-and-repeat for his film Nightmare Alley
Dia Dipasupil / WireImage / Getty Images

Cooper explained that he was able to shoot Licorice Pizza during a break on filming Guillermo del Toro's latest, Nightmare Alley. "I was able to grow a beard, and Searchlight was praying that I didn't get COVID, because we had to go back and continue Nightmare Alley. But I was like, 'There's no way I'm not doing it.'"

Cooper walks down the street
Raymond Hall / GC Images / Getty Images

Cooper shot his role in Licorice Pizza at the beginning of the film's shoot, but he stuck around set for three weeks, taking notes from Anderson and soaking it all in.

Cooper walks down the street with his hands in his pockets
Raymond Hall / GC Images / Getty Images

"I watched all the camera tests," Cooper said of following PTA's lead on set. "[He] was teaching me all about lenses, things I never knew. He's incredible."

Cooper holds his stuff while waiting outside
Mega / GC Images / Getty Images

And Cooper will have a chance to showcase that newfound knowledge soon: He begins work on his next directorial effort, Maestro, a biopic on late composer Leonard Bernstein, later this year.

Cooper crosses his arms while smiling
Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

Watch the entire interview here.

Latest Stories

  • Law enforcement warned of ‘replacement’ theory-driven violence before Buffalo shooting

    In the months before the mass shooting in Buffalo, U.S. law enforcement officials warned police across the country about the potential threat of violence by white supremacist believers of the same racist conspiracy theory believed to have inspired the recent attack.

  • Nearly all Airbnbs could be banned in parts of Columbia if city passes proposed rules

    Airbnb owners are working to come up with a compromise that would keep them in business.

  • Don’t fall for these mosquito myths, SC. Here are 4 ways to actually fight the bloodsuckers

    Mosquitoes are among the most irritating insects on Earth, plus they can carry diseases. Defend yourself this summer with these tested methods.

  • Emmy Rossum Embraced Natural Curls For Her Daughter

    "Of course I miss her, but I'm also not covered in yogurt." Emmy Rossum shares what it's like being away from her 10-month-old daughter for the first time, and explains why she's embracing her natural curls as a positive message to her. Tune in today for more with Emmy Rossum.

  • Best sturdy and lightweight suitcases, from Amazon to Antler

    Summer is on the way and it's time to upgrade your luggage.

  • Pro-Russian hackers attack institutional websites in Italy - police

    Pro-Russian hackers have attacked the websites of several Italian institutions and government ministries, the police said on Friday. At 0800 GMT it was still not possible to access the websites of the Italian foreign ministry and its national magistrates association. Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, many Western governments have raised alert levels in anticipation of possible cyber attacks on IT systems and infrastructure.

  • Ed Sheeran 'so in love' as he quietly welcomes second baby girl

    The star also has one-year-old daughter Lyra with his wife Cherry.

  • Report: G7 countries set to approve $18 billion for Ukraine

    The Group of Seven leading economies are set to agree on more than $18 billion in aid for Ukrainian defense efforts as meetings of finance ministers close Friday, Germany's finance minister told Bloomberg Television. “I think it’s a very good signal that the G-7 nations are standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine because they are not only defending themselves, they are defending our values,” German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said in an interview with Bloomberg. A representative from the U.S. Treasury Department declined to verify the amount allocated, and a spokesman from the German finance ministry declined to comment to The Associated Press.

  • UPDATE 1-European shares rally as China stimulus lifts recovery hopes

    European shares surged on Friday and were set to erase weekly losses as hopes of an economic recovery in major trading partner China were bolstered by more central bank stimulus. China's central bank cut its five-year loan prime rate by a more-than-expected 15 basis points, boosting global market sentiment even as COVID-19 cases in Shanghai climbed again. "It is not surprising perhaps that we have a little bit of a bounce today given the good news from China overnight and as we have had some very negative days this week," said Jonathan Bell, chief investment officer at Stanhope Capital.

  • Retail sales jump in April driven by cigarettes and alcohol

    Demand for tobacco and alcohol was behind a surprise rise in sales, but the longer term trend is still down.

  • Canada Construction Market/Industry Report 2022: An Annual Growth of 6.1% in Real Terms in 2021 with an Expected Annual Average Growth Rate of 2.2% from 2023 to 2026 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

    DUBLIN, May 20, 2022--The "Canada Construction Market Size, Trends and Forecasts by Sector - Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Analysis, 2022-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

  • JERITEX LAUNCHES MOBILE TRADING APP, AND ANNOUNCES PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN EUROPEAN BLOCKCHAIN CONVENTION 2022 IN BARCELONA

    JERITEX has announced a comprehensive 2022 Business Plan that includes, inter alia, the much-awaited launch of JERITEX Mobile Trading App in April, the participation by JERITEX in the coming European Blockchain Convention in Barcelona in June, launch of NFT Metaverse Marketplace in Quarter 4, as well as a series of Airdrop programs throughout 2022 to incentivize investors who trade on the JERITEX Exchange.

  • Biden in South Korea, Russia-Ukraine war, Texas GOP runoff: 5 things to know Friday

    The president will visit a Samsung plant in South Korea, warnings of Russian retribution against Ukrainian troops and more news to start your Friday.

  • Porcelain restoration reflects 'beauty with flaws'

    This is a news report from the Information Office of Taian Municipal Government.

  • God's greatest attribute is His holiness

    Only through Jesus Christ can we as sinners be right with a holy God

  • Beijing reports 50 new symptomatic COVID cases

    STORY: The daily caseload has remained in the dozens rather than exploding like in Shanghai and most other major cities around the world.<br /><br />To keep the situation stable, many city authorities deploy local border controls, frequent mass testing and vigilantly monitor and isolate any new infections, including through individual building lockdowns.<br /><br />Freelance professional Fan Xiaoze was allowed to leave the neighborhood for the first time in a month. "It’s good to be able to take a walk and relax a bit. But we still aren’t allowed to go far away. We can only be around this area.”<br /><br />The city also reported 12 asymptomatic cases of COVID for May 19, up from five a day earlier.

  • Milk Packaging Market Size Worth USD 53.6 Billion | Globally, by 2028 at 4.5% CAGR – Milk Packaging Industry Report by Vantage Market Research

    WASHINGTON, May 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vantage Market Research’s recent analysis of the Global Milk Packaging Market finds that increase in demand for single-serve milk packs as well as increasing health-conscious people, are factors that influencing the growth of Milk Packaging Market. Additionally, increasing demand for milk products as well as increasing population across the globe along with desire for healthy & nutritious food is further propelling the market growth. The total Global

  • Global Aircraft Engine (Commercial, Military) Markets, 2017-2021 & 2022-2027

    Dublin, May 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Aircraft Engine Market, By Engine Type (Turboprop, Turboshaft, Turbofan, Piston), By Aircraft Type (Narrow Body Aircrafts, Wide Body Aircrafts, Regional Aircrafts, Others), By Platform, By Application, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Aircraft Engine Market was valued at USD96.72 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 9.20% to reach

  • China in Talks With Russia to Buy Oil for Strategic Reserves

    (Bloomberg) -- China is seeking to replenish its strategic crude stockpiles with cheap Russian oil, a sign Beijing is strengthening its energy ties with Moscow just as Europe works toward banning imports due to the war in Ukraine.Most Read from BloombergOne of the World’s Frothiest Housing Markets Turned Into a Seller’s Headache OvernightChina in Talks With Russia to Buy Oil for Strategic ReservesApple Shows AR/VR Headset to Board in Sign of Progress on Key Project Target and Walmart’s Deep Pain

  • U.S. Stock Futures Jump on China Rate Cut

    Global stocks and U.S. equity futures rose, recovering some ground after the S&P 500 came close to falling into a bear market and the Chinese central bank cut a key interest rate.