Bradley Cooper Recounts The Conversation That Made Him Decided To Get Sober

Bradley Cooper recounts in a recent interview how one conversation with a friend that encouraged him to get sober.

The 47-year-old focused spoke on the lowest point of his life and how it became a turning point for him.

Bradley Cooper Recounts The Conversation That Made Him Decided To Get Sober

Bradley Cooper Recounts The Conversation That Made Him Decided To Get Sober
Image via Shutterstock

Cooper paid a visit to the “SmartLess” podcast earlier this week and spoke to hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett about his early days in show business, when he struggled with an addiction to drugs and alcohol, along with very low self-esteem.

Bradley went on to share how he was friends with Will and the actor-comedian’s then-wife, Amy Poehler. Cooper looked up to them and attempted to emulate their wicked style of humor at a dinner party.

However, Arnett let him know that no one was impressed.

“Will was like, ‘Hey man, do you remember we had dinner the other night?’ He goes, ‘How do you think that went?’” Cooper said. “I remember being at the dinner thinking I was so funny, and I thought these two guys, who were my heroes, thought that I was so funny. … I was like ‘I thought it was great. I thought I was killing.’”

RELATED: Bradley Cooper On Being Held Up At Knifepoint While Picking Up Daughter: ‘I Just Started Booking, Just Started Running’

To which Arnett responded with, “You were a real a–hole, man.”

While that comment left Cooper upset, Arnett looked around his house, at the dogs that needed to go out, and at the state of the actor and questioned him about it.

“That was like the first time I ever realized I had a problem with drugs and alcohol,” Cooper admitted. “It was Will saying that to me, and I’ll just never forget it. … It changed my entire life.”

Reflecting on the moment, he said how he now understood how much he needed to change.

“I was so lost, and I was addicted to cocaine,” he recalled. “Will is the reason (I overcame it). He took the risk of having that hard conversation with me in July of 2004, and that put me on a path of deciding to change my life.”

Bradley Cooper Recounts The Conversation That Made Him Decided To Get Sober
Image via Shutterstock

RELATED: Supermodel Irina Shayk Is Living Her Best Single Mom Life After Bradley Cooper Split

And while Arnett admitted he was not sure he deserved all the praise, he was confident about one piece.

“It has been awesome seeing you in this place and seeing you comfortable,” he insisted. “Nothing has made me happier.”

And down the road, Cooper eventually did the same for a friend.

In 2020, when Cooper presented Brad Pitt with the best supporting actor honor at the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala, Pitt revealed it was Cooper who put him on his own road to sobriety.

“I got sober because of this guy,” Pitt told the audience during his acceptance speech. “And every day has been happier ever since.”

Pitt added, “I love you, and I thank you.”

About Mamas Uncut

Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.

-->
Scroll to Top