Throughout the history of Hollywood, many renowned actors have turned to directing due to their passion for cinema. George Clooney, Clint Eastwood, Ben Affleck, Ewan McGregor, and many others have shown that, beyond their great performances in front of the camera, they also know, to a greater or lesser extent, how to direct the chaos that a Hollywood shoot entails.
However, very few manage to stand out in this task. Being a great actor does not imply that you will become a renowned director, and although there are several notable cases where the stars align in both cases, the percentage is very small. But there is someone who, in recent years, has managed to go from being one of the most acclaimed actors of the moment to one of the best directors… without stopping acting along the way. His name is Bradley Cooper, and this year he is putting everything he has to be considered a top-level filmmaker with Maestro.
A star is born… in directing
Maestro is only Bradley Cooper’s second film, and yet it has already been nominated for the Golden Globes in categories such as best director, best actor, and best drama film. His plan is to repeat the success at the Oscars and win a few statues along the way. And everything seems to indicate that he will achieve it to a greater or lesser extent.
His first success, A Star is Born, already achieved similar successes. It catapulted the career of Lady Gaga as an actress and became one of the trendiest movies in 2018. In addition, its soundtrack was one of the most listened to throughout the year, making it clear that Bradley Cooper, in addition to being a good director and actor, is also a good singer.
But how has Bradley Cooper’s career been up to this moment? Is he really a good actor or just a pretty face? And what about directing, does he deserve all the praise he’s getting? Let’s travel back in time to explore the reasons behind this phenomenon.
Standing out in all fields
Born on January 5, 1975 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA), Bradley Cooper had a childhood marked, from the beginning, by an early interest in acting. Cooper grew up in a middle-class family and attended Germantown Friends Academy in Philadelphia. From a young age, he demonstrated an innate talent for acting and actively participated in school theater productions, as well as showing unparalleled determination to become a star.
Despite his talents, Cooper initially enrolled at Villanova University to study philology. However, his true passion led him to change course and transfer to the School of Theater at Georgetown University.
After obtaining his degree, Cooper decided to pursue his dream in New York. His determination led him to attend the prestigious Actors Studio, where he honed his skills and had the opportunity to work with renowned industry professionals. It was at this time that he began to gain notoriety in the world of theater and caught the attention of directors and producers.
His film career took off in the early 2000s with supporting roles in movies like Wet Hot American Summer and Wedding Crashers. However, it was his role in the 2009 comedy The Hangover that catapulted his career to stardom. The film was a box office success and Cooper received praise for his portrayal of the charismatic Phil Wenneck.
Over the years, Bradley Cooper has demonstrated his versatility as an actor by taking on roles in a variety of genres, from comedies to dramas and thrillers. His ability to completely immerse himself in his characters has earned him numerous award nominations and critical acclaim. Among his most notable films are Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, and American Sniper.
But his success as an actor is nothing compared to what he can achieve as a director. A Star is Born earned Cooper several Oscar nominations, including Best Actor and Best Director. And Maestro wants to repeat with a much more personal film that can shape his future career in every way.
