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 recognized with numerous awards, including a British Academy Film Award and three Grammy Awards. He has received multiple nominations for Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. Featured on Forbes Celebrity 100 and Time's 100 most influential people, Cooper's films have generated $13 billion globally. He has been consistently ranked among the world's highest-paid actors.
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.
2000: Presenter on Globe Trekker
In 2000, Bradley Cooper served as a presenter on the tourism series Globe Trekker.
2001: Success in Alias
In 2001, Bradley Cooper achieved some success with his role as Will Tippin in the television series Alias.
2001: Film Debut in Wet Hot American Summer
In 2001, Bradley Cooper made his cinematic debut in Wet Hot American Summer, playing the role of Ben.
2001: Film Debut and Role in Alias
In 2001, Bradley Cooper made his film debut in Wet Hot American Summer and gained recognition as Will Tippin in the television series Alias.
2002: Acted in Changing Lanes and Bending All the Rules
In 2002, Bradley Cooper acted in Changing Lanes and Bending All the Rules.
2003: Role in Miss Match
In 2003, Bradley Cooper acted in the short-lived TV series Miss Match.
2004: Cast in Wedding Crashers and I Want to Marry Ryan Banks
In 2004, Bradley Cooper was cast in Wedding Crashers and also acted in the television film I Want to Marry Ryan Banks.
September 2005: Debut of Kitchen Confidential
In September 2005, the sitcom Kitchen Confidential, starring Bradley Cooper, debuted on Fox but was soon canceled due to low ratings.
2005: Role in Wedding Crashers and Jack & Bobby
In 2005, Bradley Cooper acted in Wedding Crashers and the WB series Jack & Bobby.
2005: Recognition in Wedding Crashers
In 2005, Bradley Cooper gained additional recognition with a supporting role in the comedy film Wedding Crashers.
2005: Wedding Crashers Release
In 2005, Wedding Crashers was released, marking one of Bradley Cooper's critically and commercially successful films.
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.
2006: Filming of Case 39
In 2006, Bradley Cooper was filmed in Case 39, a delayed production that was released in 2009.
2006: Alias Role Ends
In 2006, Bradley Cooper's role in Alias ended. During his time on the show, his character had been demoted, leading to career doubts.
2007: Roles in Failure to Launch, The Comebacks, and Nip/Tuck
In 2007, Bradley Cooper had minor roles in Failure to Launch and The Comebacks, and appeared in Nip/Tuck as Aidan Stone.
2008: Lead Role in The Midnight Meat Train
In 2008, Bradley Cooper played the lead in the horror film The Midnight Meat Train and appeared in The Understudy at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. He also had roles in Yes Man and The Rocker.
February 2009: Hosted Saturday Night Live
In February 2009, Bradley Cooper hosted Saturday Night Live and also appeared in a supporting role in the film He's Just Not That Into You.
2009: Breakthrough with The Hangover
In 2009, Bradley Cooper had his breakthrough role in the critically and commercially successful comedy The Hangover.
2009: Alzheimer's Association Campaign
In 2009, Bradley Cooper participated in an Alzheimer's Association campaign to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and became a member of the Alzheimer's Association Celebrity Champions.
2009: Featured in Case 39, All About Steve, and New York, I Love You
In 2009, Bradley Cooper was featured in the psychological horror Case 39, the comedy All About Steve, and the anthology film New York, I Love You.
2009: The Hangover Release
In 2009, The Hangover was released, marking one of Bradley Cooper's critically and commercially successful films.
2010: Starred in Valentine's Day and The A-Team
In 2010, Bradley Cooper starred in Valentine's Day and The A-Team.
2011: Starring Roles in Limitless and The Hangover Part II
In 2011, Bradley Cooper starred in Limitless and The Hangover Part II, solidifying his leading man status.
2011: Cooper Interview with Shave
In 2011, Bradley Cooper stated in an interview with Shave that the success of The Hangover opened more doors for him, but it didn't fundamentally change his career.
2011: Limitless Release
In 2011, Limitless was released, marking one of Bradley Cooper's critically and commercially successful films.
2012: Filming Serena
In 2012, Bradley Cooper filmed the drama "Serena" alongside Jennifer Lawrence. It was directed by Susanne Bier, and is an adaptation of Ron Rash's period novel. The movie was released in 2014.
2012: Success with Silver Linings Playbook
In 2012, Bradley Cooper found greater success with his role in the romantic comedy Silver Linings Playbook.
2012: Starring Role in The Place Beyond the Pines
In 2012, Bradley Cooper had a starring role in The Place Beyond the Pines, further establishing his career.
2012: Starred in Four Films
In 2012, Bradley Cooper starred in The Words, Hit and Run, The Place Beyond the Pines, and Silver Linings Playbook.
2012: Silver Linings Playbook Release
In 2012, Silver Linings Playbook was released, marking one of Bradley Cooper's critically and commercially successful films.
2013: American Hustle Release
In 2013, American Hustle was released, marking one of Bradley Cooper's critically and commercially successful films.
2013: The Hangover Part III and American Hustle
In 2013, Bradley Cooper reprised his role in "The Hangover Part III", which, despite poor reviews, became a commercial success. Later in 2013, he appeared in "American Hustle", receiving nominations for several awards. The movie was inspired by the FBI's Abscam sting operation in the 1970s.
2013: Starred in The Hangover Part III
In 2013, Bradley Cooper starred in The Hangover Part III, another installment in the successful comedy series.
2013: Starred in American Hustle
In 2013, Bradley Cooper starred in the black comedy American Hustle.
June 2014: Joining 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: American Sniper
In 2014, Bradley Cooper co-produced and starred in "American Sniper" as Chris Kyle. He underwent extensive training, gaining 40 pounds of muscle. The film received positive reviews and became Cooper's highest-grossing live-action film. He won an MTV Movie Award and was nominated for an Academy Award.
2014: Played Joseph Merrick in Broadway play
In 2014, Bradley Cooper played Joseph Merrick in the Broadway play The Elephant Man.
2014: Starred in and Produced American Sniper, Portrayed Joseph Merrick
In 2014, Bradley Cooper starred in and produced the war biopic American Sniper, and he portrayed Joseph Merrick in a Broadway revival of The Elephant Man. He also began voicing Rocket in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
2014: Guardians of the Galaxy and American Sniper Releases
In 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy and American Sniper were released, marking some of Bradley Cooper's critically and commercially successful films.
2015: Broadway revival of The Elephant Man
From 2014 to 2015, Bradley Cooper appeared in a Broadway revival of The Elephant Man, and was nominated for a Tony Award in 2015.
2015: Reprised Role in Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
In 2015, Bradley Cooper reprised his role as Ben in Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, a prequel series on Netflix.
2015: Spoke at The National Geographic Society for Got Your 6
In 2015, Bradley Cooper spoke at The National Geographic Society for 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" was subject to controversy and "Burnt" received mixed reviews. "Joy" reunited him with David O. Russell and Jennifer Lawrence.
April 2016: Participation in Parker Institute launch
In April 2016, Bradley Cooper participated in the launch of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy.
2016: 10 Cloverfield Lane and War Dogs
In 2016, Bradley Cooper had a voice cameo in the thriller "10 Cloverfield Lane" and played a supporting part in "War Dogs", which was co-produced under 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: Premiere of A Star Is Born
In August 2018, Bradley Cooper's directorial debut, "A Star Is Born", premiered at the 75th Venice International Film Festival to critical acclaim. Cooper also starred in the film alongside Lady Gaga.
2018: A Star Is Born Release
In 2018, A Star Is Born was released, marking one of Bradley Cooper's critically and commercially successful films.
2018: The Mule
In 2018, Bradley Cooper reunited with Clint Eastwood in "The Mule", a crime film based on the life of Leo Sharp, in which Cooper played a DEA agent.
2019: Joker and Avengers: Endgame
In 2019, Bradley Cooper co-produced "Joker", which became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. Also in 2019, he 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 "Nightmare Alley". He played Jon Peters in "Licorice Pizza" and an ambitious carnival worker in "Nightmare Alley", receiving critical acclaim for both.
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 special "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special".
2023: Starred in and Directed Maestro
In 2023, Bradley Cooper co-wrote, directed, and starred in the biographical drama Maestro, portraying 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, earning multiple award nominations.
2024: Joker sequel without Cooper
In 2024, the sequel to "Joker" was released, but Bradley Cooper was not involved after dissolving his partnership with Todd Phillips.
February 2025: Is This Thing On?
As of February 2025, Bradley Cooper is set to direct, work as a camera operator, and appear in a small role in the comedy film "Is This Thing On?" for Searchlight Pictures.
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