Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bradley Cooper
How Bradley Cooper built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Bradley Cooper is a highly acclaimed American actor and filmmaker. He's garnered numerous accolades, including a BAFTA and three Grammys, and has received multiple nominations for Oscars, Golden Globes, and a Tony Award. His influence is further underscored by appearances on the Forbes Celebrity 100 and Time's 100 most influential people list. Cooper's films have achieved substantial commercial success, grossing over $13 billion globally, positioning him among the world's highest-paid actors on several occasions.
1999: First TV Role in Sex and the City
In 1999, Bradley Cooper began his television career with a guest role in the TV series "Sex and the City". This marked his initial foray into the entertainment industry.
1999: Television Debut in Sex and the City
In 1999, Bradley Cooper made his television debut with a brief appearance in "Sex and the City", opposite Sarah Jessica Parker.
2000: Received MFA in Acting
In 2000, Bradley Cooper received an MFA in acting from the Actors Studio Drama School at The New School in New York City, marking a significant milestone in his formal training as an actor.
2000: Presenter on Globe Trekker
In 2000, Bradley Cooper served as a presenter on the tourism series "Globe Trekker", which allowed him to travel to various locations such as Peru and Croatia. He also had a recurring role in the series "The Street".
2001: Success in Alias
From 2001, Bradley Cooper achieved success with the role of Will Tippin in the television series "Alias", where he played a local reporter and best friend to Jennifer Garner's character.
2001: Filmed Wet Hot American Summer
In 2001, Bradley Cooper filmed "Wet Hot American Summer", which marked his cinematic debut. He missed his MFA graduation ceremony to film the movie.
2002: Acted in Changing Lanes
In 2002, Bradley Cooper acted in the psychological thriller "Changing Lanes", although his scenes were cut from the final film but featured on DVD and Blu-ray releases. He also acted in "Bending All the Rules".
2003: Acted in Miss Match
In 2003, Bradley Cooper acted in the short-lived TV series "Miss Match".
2004: Cast in Wedding Crashers
In 2004, despite considering quitting acting, Bradley Cooper was cast in the movie "Wedding Crashers", which was released in 2005.
September 2005: Kitchen Confidential Premiered
In September 2005, Fox debuted the sitcom "Kitchen Confidential", with Bradley Cooper in the leading role; however, it was canceled after four episodes due to low ratings, despite positive reviews.
2005: Appeared in Wedding Crashers
In 2005, Bradley Cooper appeared in "Wedding Crashers".
2005: Gained Recognition in Wedding Crashers
In 2005, Bradley Cooper gained recognition with a supporting role in the comedy film "Wedding Crashers".
2005: Wedding Crashers Release
In 2005, the critically and commercially successful film Wedding Crashers, starring Bradley Cooper, was released.
March 2006: Starred in Three Days of Rain on Broadway
In March 2006, Bradley Cooper starred as Pip/Theo in "Three Days of Rain" on Broadway, alongside Julia Roberts and Paul Rudd.
2007: Appeared in Nip/Tuck
In 2007, Bradley Cooper appeared in the fifth season of "Nip/Tuck" as Aidan Stone. He also had a minor role in the satirical comedy "The Comebacks".
2008: Lead in The Midnight Meat Train
In 2008, Bradley Cooper played the lead in "The Midnight Meat Train", directed by Ryuhei Kitamura. He also appeared in "Yes Man", "The Rocker", and in a production of Theresa Rebeck's play "The Understudy".
February 2009: Hosted Saturday Night Live
In February 2009, Bradley Cooper hosted Saturday Night Live with musical guest TV on the Radio and appeared in "He's Just Not That Into You".
2009: Breakthrough Role in The Hangover
In 2009, Bradley Cooper had his breakthrough role in "The Hangover", a critically and commercially successful comedy that significantly boosted his career.
2009: Alzheimer's Association Campaign
In 2009, Bradley Cooper participated in an Alzheimer's Association campaign to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and also became a member of the Alzheimer's Association Celebrity Champions.
2009: Featured in Case 39
In 2009, Bradley Cooper was featured in the psychological horror Case 39, a delayed production that had been filmed in 2006. He also starred in All About Steve and New York, I Love You.
2009: The Hangover Release
In 2009, the critically and commercially successful film The Hangover, starring Bradley Cooper, was released.
2011: Reflection on Career Post-Hangover
In 2011, Bradley Cooper reflected on how his career had changed since "The Hangover" but noted that it wasn't dramatically different despite more opportunities.
2011: Starred in Limitless and The Hangover Part II
In 2011, Bradley Cooper starred in "Limitless", and "The Hangover Part II", marking significant roles in his acting career.
2011: Starring Role in Limitless
In 2011, Bradley Cooper starred in the film "Limitless", further progressing his career with lead roles.
2011: Limitless Release
In 2011, the critically and commercially successful film Limitless, starring Bradley Cooper, was released.
2012: Filming Serena
In 2012, Bradley Cooper filmed "Serena" with Jennifer Lawrence, a drama about a married couple involved in criminal activities, directed by Susanne Bier and based on Ron Rash's novel.
2012: Success with Silver Linings Playbook
In 2012, Bradley Cooper found greater success with the romantic comedy "Silver Linings Playbook".
2012: Starring Role in The Place Beyond the Pines
In 2012, Bradley Cooper starred in "The Place Beyond the Pines", continuing to progress his career with lead roles.
2012: Starred in Multiple Films
In 2012, Bradley Cooper starred in "The Words", "Hit and Run", "The Place Beyond the Pines", and "Silver Linings Playbook", showcasing his diverse roles in the film industry.
2012: Silver Linings Playbook Release
In 2012, the critically and commercially successful film Silver Linings Playbook, starring Bradley Cooper, was released.
2013: The Hangover Part III and American Hustle
In 2013, Bradley Cooper reprised his role in "The Hangover Part III", which despite negative reviews, was a commercial success. Later in 2013, he played an FBI agent in "American Hustle", a critical and commercial success, though Cooper's role was considered less rewarding.
2013: Starred in American Hustle
In 2013, Bradley Cooper starred in the black comedy "American Hustle", further solidifying his success in the film industry.
2013: Starred in The Hangover Part III
In 2013, Bradley Cooper starred in the sequel to "The Hangover", "The Hangover Part III".
2013: American Hustle Release
In 2013, the critically and commercially successful film American Hustle, starring Bradley Cooper, was released.
June 2014: Joins Hole in the Wall Gang Camp board
In June 2014, Bradley Cooper joined the board of directors for the charity Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a non-profit organization that serves people coping with cancer.
2014: The Elephant Man Broadway Play
In 2014, Bradley Cooper played Joseph Merrick in the Broadway play The Elephant Man.
2014: American Sniper release and success
In 2014, Bradley Cooper starred in and co-produced "American Sniper", a biographical war drama directed by Clint Eastwood, where he played Chris Kyle. He underwent extensive training and gained 40 pounds of muscle for the role. The film was a major success, becoming Cooper's highest-grossing live-action film. Cooper won an MTV Movie Award and was nominated for an Academy Award.
2014: Starred in and Produced American Sniper
In 2014, Bradley Cooper starred in and produced the war biopic "American Sniper". He also portrayed Joseph Merrick in a Broadway revival of "The Elephant Man" and began voicing Rocket in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
2014: Guardians of the Galaxy & American Sniper Release
In 2014, two critically and commercially successful films starring Bradley Cooper were released: Guardians of the Galaxy and American Sniper.
2015: Broadway Revival of The Elephant Man
From 2014 to 2015, Bradley Cooper appeared in a Broadway revival of The Elephant Man, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 2015.
2015: Reprised Role in Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
In 2015, Bradley Cooper reprised his role in the prequel to "Wet Hot American Summer", titled "Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp", an eight-episode Netflix series.
2015: Got Your 6 Speech
In 2015, Bradley Cooper spoke at The National Geographic Society for the group Got Your 6, advocating for better representation of military veterans in popular culture.
2015: Aloha, Burnt and Joy
In 2015, Bradley Cooper starred in "Aloha", "Burnt", and "Joy", none of which performed well at the box office. "Aloha" faced controversy over whitewashing.
April 2016: Participation in Parker Institute launch
In April 2016, Bradley Cooper participated in the launch of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, an organization that works for cancer patients.
2016: 10 Cloverfield Lane and War Dogs
In 2016, Bradley Cooper had a voice cameo in "10 Cloverfield Lane" and a supporting role in "War Dogs", which he co-produced through his production company, Joint Effort.
2017: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
In 2017, Bradley Cooper voiced Rocket Raccoon again in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2".
August 2018: A Star Is Born premiere at Venice International Film Festival
In August 2018, Bradley Cooper's directorial debut, "A Star Is Born", premiered at the 75th Venice International Film Festival to critical acclaim.
2018: Produced, Wrote, Directed, and Starred in A Star Is Born
In 2018, Bradley Cooper produced, wrote, directed, and starred in the musical romance "A Star Is Born", winning a BAFTA Award and two Grammys for his contributions to the film's soundtrack and lead single.
2018: The Mule
In 2018, Bradley Cooper reunited with Clint Eastwood in "The Mule", a crime film based on the life of Leo Sharp, where Cooper played a DEA agent.
2018: A Star Is Born Release
In 2018, the critically and commercially successful film A Star Is Born, starring Bradley Cooper, was released.
2019: Joker and Avengers: Endgame
In 2019, Bradley Cooper co-produced "Joker", which became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. Cooper also returned as Rocket in "Avengers: Endgame".
2019: Produced Joker
In 2019, Bradley Cooper produced the thriller "Joker".
2021: Licorice Pizza and Nightmare Alley
In 2021, Bradley Cooper appeared in "Licorice Pizza" and starred in "Nightmare Alley", both receiving critical acclaim. In Nightmare Alley, Cooper gave what critic Charles Bramesco called 'his most vulnerable and harrowing performance to date'. Cooper garnered his fourth Academy Award nomination for Best Picture for producing Nightmare Alley.
2021: Produced Nightmare Alley
In 2021, Bradley Cooper produced the thriller "Nightmare Alley".
2022: I Am Groot and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
In 2022, Bradley Cooper voiced Rocket in the Disney+ series "I Am Groot" and "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special".
2023: Co-wrote, Directed, and Starred in Maestro
In 2023, Bradley Cooper co-wrote, directed, and starred in the biographical drama "Maestro", in which he portrayed Leonard Bernstein.
2023: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Maestro
In 2023, Bradley Cooper voiced Rocket in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3". He also directed, produced, co-wrote, and starred in "Maestro", a biographical drama about Leonard Bernstein, for which he received multiple award nominations. Controversy arose over Cooper's use of a prosthetic nose to play Bernstein.
2024: Dissolution of Producing Partnership
In 2024, Bradley Cooper was not involved in the Joker sequel, having dissolved his producing partnership with Todd Phillips two years earlier.
February 2025: Is This Thing On?
As of February 2025, Bradley Cooper will direct and work as a camera operator on the comedy film "Is This Thing On?" for Searchlight Pictures, which he co-wrote with Will Arnett and Mark Chappell.
Mentioned in this timeline
World Wrestling Entertainment WWE is a prominent American professional wrestling...
WWE Raw a professional wrestling television program produced by WWE...
Saturday Night Live SNL is a late-night American sketch comedy...
Paul Rudd is an American actor known for his extensive...
Jelena Noura Gigi Hadid is a prominent American fashion model...
The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the...
Trending
44 minutes ago Patriots trade down scenarios: Saints potential offer, Scheim's suggestion and unrealistic proposal
44 minutes ago Harvey Weinstein Retrial: Facing New Sex Crimes Charges in New York Court.
45 minutes ago Cate Blanchett Considers Retirement From Acting at 55: A Hollywood Legend's Potential Exit
2 hours ago Buffalo Bills Gear Up for 2025 NFL Draft: Mock Draft Insights
2 hours ago MLB Celebrates Jackie Robinson Day; Nike Releases Cortez, Players Wear Special Cleats.
2 hours ago Sheinelle Jones' Absence from TODAY: Crew Updates and Prayers for Recovery
Popular
Doug Ford is a Canadian politician and businessman currently serving...
Justin Trudeau served as the rd Prime Minister of Canada...
The Real ID Act of is a US federal law...
Peter Navarro is an American economist and author known for...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Bernard Bernie Sanders is a prominent American politician currently serving...