Though, his personal life is just as enticing as his professional one. Read on to explore the life and many loves of Bradley Cooper.
Hello, World
The film star was born in 1975, in Philadelphia, near Jenkintown, an area made famous by the hilarious sitcom "The Goldbergs." As it seems, Cooper had no choice but to follow fame and step into the limelight.
As soon as he entered the world, he was a part of the entertainment industry, thanks to his mother, Gloria. She worked as a local NBC affiliate, while his father, Charles, was a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch.
Foot in the Door
Interestingly enough, Cooper made his television debut in 1999 when he appeared on the hit show "Sex and the City." The guest role made him realize that this was something he really wanted to do with his life.
He decided to continue his education with a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the Actors Studio Drama School at The New School in NYC, which he received in 2000.
First Timer
A few years after his first television appearance, the actor debuted on film when he landed a role in "Wet Hot American Summer." The movie was torn apart by critics but developed a cult following regardless.
That cult following has gotten even bigger now that it’s superstar Bradley Cooper’s first film. In the movie, he plays a counselor named Ben, and Michael Ian Black’s character’s love interest.
A New ‘Do
For the majority of his career (at least, as long as he’s been super-famous,) BC has sported the same look with his shorter-style hair. But in 2001, even before he was a household name and dating every A-lister in Hollywood, he was still a good-looking actor.
In those days, he was playing a camp counselor in "Wet Hot American Summer," so he changed up his look a bit to make himself look a little more like a surfer with shaggy blonde hair. The look didn’t last for long, and he’d soon shorten things up.
To the Dark Side
The following year, Cooper chopped off the long locks and darkened things up a bit to sport a spikey, brunette style. One thing that he left the same was his scruffy facial hair, which is something that we see him within a majority of his productions.
It seemed like each year, he’d go a little bit shorter, and in 2005, he was sporting a long buzz cut and had grown out his facial hair to the point of a full beard. Another part of his signature style that’s remained the same all these years? His piercing baby blues.
Saying “I Do”
In 2005, Cooper signed on to play in the rom-com, "Wedding Crashers," which stars Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams, Isla Fisher, and Christopher Walken. Little did he know it would be the first of many hilarious wedding-themed films he’d act in.
The film follows two ego-fueled divorce mediators who pair up to crash weddings to find women. It was a big success at the box office, grossing over $288 million against a $40 million budget, and served as another launchpad for the actor’s success.
Art Imitates Life
Around the same time as he started to really get the ball rolling with his film career, things in his personal life picked up speed as well. He arrived arm in arm with actress Jennifer Esposito at the "InStyle" Golden Globes party in 2006, where a representative from "People" asked them if they were an item.
Although the two worked to keep things quiet (so as not to create a media circus, no doubt,) they wouldn’t be able to keep their romance under wraps for long, and Esposito was seen shopping for a wedding dress just a few short months later.
Not Long For the World
Later that same year, Cooper was keeping busy on his work in "Alias," as well as a few films, like "Failure to Launch,' and Esposito was filming "Law & Order" on a regular basis.
But the pair still found the time to say their “I dos.” They tied the knot later on in 2006 – though they wouldn’t exactly find their happily ever after in each other. Four months after their December wedding, Esposito filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
The Memoir
Several years after the split, in 2014, the actress released a memoir called "Jennifer’s Way: My Journey with Celiac Disease – What Doctors Don’t Tell You and How You Can Learn to Live Again." Although she doesn’t name any names per se, she does lay out some juicy details of a past relationship in which she calls her ex a “cocky, arrogant master manipulator.”
She went on to say that the partnership had “an entire marching band squad of red flags.” Perhaps that’s why it ended nearly as quickly as it had started.
Flings in Tinsel Town
Cooper has been spotted with a number of famous women throughout the years, including plenty of A-listers. One such woman is Cameron Diaz, who was seen with the actor acting very close, a number of times in 2007.
Of course, neither would cop to them hanging out being anything more than friendship. When the actor spoke to "People," he said, “I think she’s great. We’re good friends.” On one occasion, the pair was seen at a Giants-Eagles game with Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore.
A New Romance
Though no one can be certain whether or not anything more than public hangouts occurred between Cooper and Cameron Diaz, the two being spotted together didn’t last for very long. It wasn’t long after, however, that he partnered up with talent agent and younger sister of "Fast and Furious" actress Jordana Brewster, Isabella Brewster.
A lot of the pair’s relationship was left to speculation, but they were together for about a year in 2008-2009 before Cooper moved on to another star.
Another Hit
In 2009, Cooper and a list of hilarious co-stars, including Zach Galifianakis, Ken Jeong, and Heather Graham, would thrill audiences with the hit comedy, "The Hangover."
The film was actually based on true events and was written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore after they learned about their friend’s (and executive producer’s) friend who’d disappeared after a raunchy night at a strip club, leaving behind a large bill. It won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture in a Musical or Comedy.
The Rumor Mill
During the same time that Cooper was enjoying riding high from the success of "The Hangover," the rumor mill started to speculate that he was dating yet another star. The actor was rumored to have hooked up with "Wild Things" star Denise Richard in 2009 – but if you ask her, she’ll deny it.
In fact, she told one reporter that “it’s such bull[expletive].” The two were reportedly spotted out together in public a few times. But it wouldn’t be long before the press would move on to the next story.
Another One Bites the Dust
Once the actor had reached A-list status, the rumored romances with him and other stars just seemed to accumulate. And, in some cases, it was because the rumors were based in truth, and he was actually hooking up with them, but other times, it was just that – rumors (which are still flying around the internet rampantly today!)
According to Cooper, that’s exactly what happened with his "He’s Just Not That into You" co-star, Jennifer Aniston. Reports stated that they dated briefly in 2009, but he later cleared it up and revealed they were only ever friends.
A to Z
Later in 2009, he began work on the supernatural horror film "Case 39," starring Renee Zellweger. It didn’t take the two stars long to hit it off, and before everyone knew it, they were doing everything together.
They dated for several years (which is basically an eternity in Hollywood,) but their lives were about to pull them apart. It would soon become clear that they wanted different things.
Moving Apart
When the two A-listers were together, they were both household names and the kind of faces you hide in public if you don’t want to be hounded by paparazzi and fans. Cooper had starred in one of the biggest hits of 2009, and Zellweger was the world’s highest-paid actress.
Despite the fact she was making the big bucks, she decided she wanted to step away from the limelight, and Cooper was just beginning his rise to superstardom. It seemed as though it was time for the two to go their separate ways, and that’s exactly what they’d end up doing.
Saying Goodbye
Again, the rumor mill went wild, stating that it was another woman who’d come between the A-list couple and was responsible for the breakup. But that wasn’t it at all; it was simply that the two wanted different things out of life.
With Renee wanting to move away from the spotlight and Cooper still making hits like "The Hangover 2," they knew things between them couldn’t last. Of course, the two stars never officially spoke out about their relationship, but they were seen out together several times over the course of those two years.
Smiling For The Camera
Zellweger and Cooper were spotted together a number of times, including once kissing in Spain and again having dinner in NYC in 2009. The actress was even seen out and about in Los Angeles with Cooper’s mother. But in 2011, the photos stopped.
When asked about their relationship, the actor zipped his lips, only saying, “I just can’t.” He also denied any engagement plans when he was asked about them during an appearance on the "Howard Stern Show."
Going Wilde
In 2011, Bradley Cooper co-starred with actress Olivia Wilde in "The Words," a mystery/romantic drama. Olivia went as his date to "The Hangover 2" after-party, where onlookers said the two looked awfully cozy. “They were definitely together."
At one point, they even wanted some alone time and hiked up the stairs to the roof but had some trouble getting there,” said one witness. "The Words" was released in 2012, premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, and grossed over $11.5 million against a $6 million budget.
He’s Not That into You
Around the same time when the rumors about Cooper and Jennifer Aniston were circulating, he got involved with another sultry A-lister. Scarlett Johannsson, who starred in the film "He’s Just Not That Into You," along with a host of other celebrities, was spotted on his arm on a couple of occasions.
But, as much as some fans may fall head over heels just to see those two become an item, things never escalated to a serious romantic relationship. In fact, we’re not certain that there was ever anything but friendship between them.
Going Global
The star didn’t seem to take much of a breather between women. In 2011, he was seen looking pretty cozy with French model Mélanie Laurent in Paris. Luckily for him, he’d learned how to speak French, which probably helped him out when it came to forming this relationship!
When the two were spotted together, Cooper held the title of “Sexiest Man Alive,” which likely lent to the fact fans stopped him as they strolled the streets to ask for pictures. Mélanie didn’t seem to mind and waited patiently as they snapped away.
Jenny From the Block
When it comes to Bradley Cooper’s love life, he tends to try and keep his private affairs as hidden as he possibly can (which isn’t ever entirely, when you’re a mega-celeb.)
But we can speculate all we want to – especially when there are multiple witnesses and photos that see two stars together. And, in the case of superstar Jennifer Lopez and BC, how would the media not run with it when they were seen together in the actor’s car?
Consecutive Oscar Nominations
Nowadays, Bradley Cooper is basically an Oscars staple. In the 2010s, his accolades really started to snowball. He was nominated for an Academy Award three consecutive years in a row, in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
In 2013, it was for his work in "Silver Linings Playbook," in which he starred with Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro. All three stars were nominated for major Oscars for their parts, including Cooper, who was up for the prestigious Best Actor award.
Sizzling with Saldana
In 2011, Cooper filmed opposite Zoe Saldana in the mystery rom-com drama, "The Words," about a writer who learns the hard way what the price is for stealing someone else’s work. The romance between the pair on-screen wound up budding into something more, and they started dating.
Apparently, they both felt the heat while they filmed their scenes for the film, with Zoe stating, “we didn’t care where the camera was.” Of course, neither of the two copped up about the relationship, but when she was asked about it, she couldn’t help but blush.
A Bad Rep
The actor may have dated his fair share of leading ladies, but there was a point in time when the tabloids weren’t too kind to him. In fact, they sort of dissed him, with one headline reading, “Why Bradley Cooper is the Worst Person to Date in Hollywood.”
On the list were several reasons behind the title, including the fact he’s a “major player with a small field.” Translation? There aren’t that many stars in Tinsel Town, and he’s been with his fair share of the bunch.
To the Stage
The actor has proven that he’s not only skilled behind the lens but also performing up on stage. He took on the role of Joseph Merrick in "The Elephant Man" in the 2015 Broadway production. Critics called him “almost unrecognizable” in the role.
Dominic Maxell, reporting for the Times, said that “there is really only one reason for seeing this imported Broadway smash hit, but it’s a good one: Bradley Cooper.” But his stardom was putting a strain on his personal relationships, and that was taking a toll on the actor.
Match Made in London
Model Suki Waterhouse first laid eyes upon her future beau at the "Elle" Style Awards in London back in 2013. They hit it off during the afterparty when the two started dancing the night away. Afterward, they continued the party by hitting a club.
Although there was a substantial age difference, in that Cooper was 37 at the time, and she was 20, they really liked each other, which ended up translating into a romance that, unlike some others (that may or may not have even existed,) he was more than happy to show off in the public eye.
Calling it Quits
Cooper and his girlfriend at the time, Suki Waterhouse, 17-years his junior, attended several events together, hand in hand. But, while the actor was reaching the point in his life where he wanted to settle down, the young model had no interest in that lifestyle.
So, in March of 2015, several years after they’d started dating, they decided to break things off. One source reported that “she loves Bradley, and he loves her, but she’s so young and wants to concentrate on her acting before becoming a mom.”
Moving On
After the star split with former girlfriend and model Suki Waterhouse, reporters were aching for comments from the two. Although they never officially came out and spoke about it, inside sources say it was all about the two being at different stages in their life.
These days, Waterhouse is dating "Batman" star Robert Pattinson. A few years before, she appeared on the big screen when she played a role in "Pride and Prejudice" and "Zombies" in 2016.
From Heartbreak to Shayk
Cooper and Waterhouse called things off in 2015, but it didn’t take the actor long before he was seen out and about with supermodel Irina Shayk. The two were seen together in NYC just a month after the breakup. And a month after that, photographers snapped a couple of shots of the two kissing.
Like most of BC’s relationships, he worked to keep things private, but there was no denying that the two got hot and heavy. Little did the two know that they’d be sharing something much more intimate the year after.
A New Person
In 2016, it seemed as though the actor had finally found what he’d been searching for – a woman to settle down and have children with when Irina was seen sporting a baby bump in a November Victoria’s Secret fashion show.
And that’s exactly what the two did when Irina gave birth to their daughter, Lea de Seine, several months later. Around that same time, rumors of an engagement between the stars started circulating.
Happily Never After
The couple seemed to have it all; a happy relationship and kid and two blossoming careers that kept them both busy when they weren’t spending time with their daughter.
They attended a number of events and awards shows together, walking the red carpet in stunning getups at the 2018 Met Gala and the 2019 Golden Globes. But in June of 2019, they shocked their fans when they announced that they’d broken up.
A Venture Was Born
Although his personal life may have been a bit on the rocks, Cooper’s professional life was continuing to rise. In 2017, he began work on his epic role as Jackson Maine, the famous singer who meets a regular girl named Ally (Lady Gaga) and launches her to stardom.
But along the way, the two fall in love, which is one of the main themes of the film "A Star is Born." And, like with so many passionate love stories, fans wanted so badly for their on-screen relationship to be real.
A Shared Heritage
When Cooper first met co-star Lady Gaga, he had no idea what to expect. Little did they know they’d hit it off right away, thanks to something they shared.
Not but 20 minutes after they met, they were chowing down on homemade Italian food, something they’d each grown up on, thanks to their Italian backgrounds. “We had a real synchronicity on that level from our upbringing,” the singer told "Vanity Fair."
Look, Ma, No Makeup!
Aside from bonding over a shared Italian heritage upon their first time meeting one another, Cooper was also there to find out what she really looked like – and not when her face was covered by Hollywood-style makeup and blasted by stage lights.
He wanted to see her without makeup, and she was more than happy to oblige. So, she used a makeup remover wipe and took off all that she had on her face at the moment. He went so far afterward to tell the press that he “fell in love with her face and eyes!”
Two-Way Street
It wasn’t just Cooper who was thrilled with his new working relationship. Gaga admittedly had her reservations about working with an actor playing a huge, hit musician.
But she was very impressed when she heard him sing for the first time, saying that hearing him sing stopped her dead in her tracks. “He’s the only actor on the planet that could play this one,” said the performer.
Splitsville
One of the rumors flying around about the "A Star is Born" co-stars is that Cooper was seen shopping for a ring, and maybe he was, but it wasn’t for Lady Gaga. As it turns out, supermodel Irina Shayk was more than just a girlfriend to the actor and mother of his daughter; she was his fiancé.
They were both pretty hurt when things ended, with Shayk noting amicably, “I think we’ve been fortunate to experience what we had with each other. Life without B is new ground.”
Taken
Around the time of the split, speculations picked back up, with many tabloids stating that Lady Gaga was the reason behind their ended relationship. But, people seemed to be forgetting the fact that the singer was also engaged to someone else at the time.
She was still very much together with former beaux, Christian Carino. Although, when those two called things to quit, it didn’t do very much to kill the rumors about the romance with her co-star!
Heating Up
Ever since "A Star is Born" premiered, rumors of a romantic relationship between Gaga and Cooper have been running wild. After all, there’s no denying the fact they bring the heat during the film. Everyone was desperate for the love to be real, but was it really?
Before they started filming, the two really knew nothing about each other. In his words, “I didn’t even know, really, what she looked like before I met her. And I was – I couldn’t believe how comfortable she made me feel, and how present she was – is.”
The Truth
Of course, the two stars were questioned about these rumors relentlessly – and they’re still facing off with them today. However, both stars have done their best to put them to rest, saying that it was all just meant to sell the love story on screen.
Lady Gaga went on to reveal that the relationship was simply orchestrated for the performance and that there was nothing more going on between them. Though that didn’t mean the public was going to let up anytime soon.
Feeding the Fire
Though there may not have really been anything romantic happening between the stars, they were having fun with all of the speculations. In fact, they knew it was all coming, and they’d decided to play into it to keep the buzz going.
They thought it was hilarious, and the fans were enjoying the thrill of believing it was all real. So, when they appeared together at events for the film, etc., they’d look pretty – close. Granted, they were really only doing it to continue to sell their on-screen romance, but it still fed the rumor mill!
Feeling the Love
Although there may not have been any hot and heavy, romantic passion between the co-stars, neither would deny the strong feelings of admiration and trust they feel for one another. They both say they’re good friends, and how could they not be, after spending so much time creating such a story?
Gaga said she loved the way he made her feel when they were working together and that if there were 100 people in a room and just one believed in you, it would be him. There was no getting around forming the bond that now exists between them.
A Broken Heart
Though both stars continually swear that there was nothing more than a perfect friendship between them, it couldn't stop everyone from speculating beyond that. "Life & Style" magazine published a report that claimed that there was, in fact, a genuine romance between them – or at least, something like it, though it wasn’t necessarily two-sided, according to sources.
One insider told the magazine that the singer had said Cooper could be “the one” and that she thought he felt the same way. But, if that’s the case, things didn’t turn out as she hoped.
Back At It
2019 was huge for Bradley Cooper. He not only got nominated for three Academy Awards for his work in "A Star is Born," but he was also busy working on his hit that was released earlier this year – "Joker." For the film, which stars Joaquin Phoenix, he was busy behind-the-scenes, acting as a producer.
The movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2020. Aside from the Oscars, the actor received a number of other nominations and wins, including the BAFTA award for Best Film Music.
A Beautiful Performance
At the 2019 Oscars, the actor did more than hopefully await his wins in several categories. He and Gaga performed a duet of the mega-hit song, “Shallow,” and blew the audience away. It wound up being one of the single-most talked about moments of that year’s ceremony.
The two looked so close and so passionate that once again, the media hit the ground running with stories of a budding romance. But in Gaga’s words, “I mean, we made a love story. We wanted people to believe we were in love.” And that they did!
A Good Friend
It isn’t just the Gaga/Cooper rumored relationship that he’s dealt with throughout his career. Can we even count the number of stars he’s supposedly dated on two hands? Another such case was when the actor was seen eating lunch with fellow actress Laura Dern.
Again, rumors started circulating. But, while it was taking the heat off of the rumors that had formed about his former co-star, there still wasn’t any truth to them. Dern revealed that he is just a great friend, also calling him “the greatest human.”
Back to His Roots
Cooper first met actress Jennifer Garner way back when they worked together on "Alias." Of course, there were rumors of a budding romance back in those days too, but nothing ever came of it. And, after the Gaga rumors turned out to be a dead-end, too, it was time to discover who the actor was dating in 2020.
After he was spotted in Malibu with Garner in August, looking very cozy together, it became clear who that was. The actress was even seen playing with his daughter. Of course, they’re friends, too, so this doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
Time with Family
The star is taking no chances when it comes to his family’s health and safety. He is sure to keep his mother and daughter's best interests in need.
Bradley may have had many loves in his life, but none can compare to that of his mother. She has accompanied him to a number of awards shows, including the 2019 Oscars.
Netflix Original
In light of 2020's events, the film world has been pivoting and changing as much as possible to keep Hollywood and entertainment alive. One such way, which has been happening for years already, is the shift to more streaming and less box office.
For Cooper, this has translated to his work on the 2021 Netflix original film, "Maestro," which he wrote and also produces. The film follows the story of musician Leonard Bernstein’s rise to fame – something he knows a thing or two about.
Looking Ahead
Aside from all he’s done to bring the "Maestro" movie to life, he’s got a few other upcoming projects underway as well.
One such project is Guillermo del Toro’s psychological thriller, "Nightmare Alley," in which he stars alongside Cate Blanchett, William Dafoe, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, and several more talented stars.