Bradley Cooper claimed that he considered himself ‘fortunate’ to have been clean for the last 20 years, despite a history of addictions.
The 48-year-old actor appeared on a recent episode of Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge and spoke with the 49-year-old British explorer about his health.
Exploring the Wyoming canyons, the unusual pair talked about the star’s career and how his enormous popularity had affected him over the years.
Bradley admitted he never felt he had got ‘lost in fame’ however the explorer probed for more, challenging the A Star Is Born actor: ‘But you definitely had some wild years?’
He answered honestly and shared: ‘In terms of alcohol and drugs, yeah, but nothing to do with fame though.
‘But I was lucky. I got sober at 29 years old and I’ve been sober for 19 years. Very lucky.’
Despite his recovery, he co-starred with Lady Gaga in a remake of the classic 1937 film as a suffering addict in 2018.
‘It made it simpler to be able to actually engage in there,’ he said of his ability to portray the part.
‘And thank goodness I was at a place in my life where I was at ease with all of that so I could really let myself go.
‘I’ve been very lucky with the roles I’ve had to play. It’s been a real blessing. I hope I get to keep doing it.’
The episode had more heartbreaking moments as the A-lister shared deep, sensitive thoughts with Bear, reflecting on his father’s death from lung cancer in 2011.
He said: ‘He gave me a huge gift. He died in my arms. To see that kind of factual example of mortality…
‘I definitely had a nihilistic attitude towards life after. Just like, “Oh, I’m gonna die,” you know?’
Bradley proceeded to tell the explorer about the terrible time in his life as they took in the nature surrounding them, saying, ‘I don’t know…It wasn’t fantastic for a while until I learned I just had to accept who I was.
‘And try to find peace with that. And then it sort of evened out.’
Bear Grylls: The Challenge is available to stream via National Geographic on Disney+.
Need help?
The NHS recommends Drinkline, the national alcohol helpline. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, there is a free helpline you can call in complete confidence. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).
Or you can use Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a free self-help group with a 12-step programme.
