Bradley Cooper is candid about his cocaine addiction in his twenties and how a conversation with Will Arnett helped him sober up.
The 47-year-old actor reflected on his early career and sobriety journey during a recent appearance on Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes’ podcast, smartless† According to Cooper, at age 29, he had a rather wicked sense of humor, as Arnett had previously told him he took his jokes too far, calling him “a real bastard.”
The filmmaker went on to note that he was at a point where he had “zero self-esteem” and didn’t think he was “hurting anyone” because he felt like he was “worthless” before discussing his addiction and how much he was. mentally struggling.
“I was so lost and I was addicted to cocaine,” he explained, noting how he also “ [his] Achilles tendon” and was “fired/quitted” from the show Aliasearly 2000s.
Cooper acknowledged that it was an “advantage” to fight his addiction when he did, because he hadn’t “made it” in his career yet. However, he also confessed that when he moved to Los Angeles to film… Aliashe felt like he was “back in high school” and “totally depressed”.
“I wasn’t allowed into any club, not a single girl wanted to look at me. I was totally depressed,” he said, adding that he didn’t feel any success until he played in The hangover at age 36.
“So I had to go through all those things before fame even played into my existence on a daily level,” he continued. “So everything that happened before that.”
Cooper went on to emphasize that his conversation with Arnett was a moment of self-realization, as he scrutinized his behavior and discovered that he needed to change something.
“I definitely made big breakthroughs when I was 29 to 33.34 years old, where I could at least stand in front of someone and breathe, listen and talk,” he said.
“Will is the reason, because he took the risk of having a difficult conversation with me, like in July 2004, which put me on the path of deciding to change my life,” he added. “It’s really Will Arnett, he’s the reason”.
In response, Arnett shared how proud he has been of Cooper over the years.
“It was great to see you here and to see you at ease. Nothing has made me happier,” Arnett said. “I’m glad to see you so happy with who you are.
Elsewhere in the interview, American sniper star highlighted how he is currently working in New York for a movie and spending time with his five-year-old daughter, Lea, who he shares with his ex-girlfriend Irina Shayk.
He also noted that during his busy schedule he was focused on staying sober, which has encouraged him to ask others for help.
“Here’s another thing about being sober and being humble is that I realize I can’t make this movie and take care of Lea without any help,” he said. “So, literally tonight, about a few minutes away, someone comes along who stays in New York and helps out until the end of the shoot. Which I never would have done, but thank God I do.”
