Maestro star Bradley Cooper was the victim of brutal trolls this awards season, most of which came out of an alleged rivalry with Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy. While Cooper never made any ill comments towards his awards competitors, the actor’s several actions clearly suggest that he yearns for Oscar recognition. He was famously snubbed for the Best Actor Award at the 94th Academy Award for the film Nightmare Alley, which fans are celebrating on X now.
Many fans believed that Cooper was also snubbed for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar the same year for his brief appearance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza. The Guardians of the Galaxy actor is currently among the Oscar nominees for his performance as Leonard Bernstein in Maestro.
Fans Hail Bradley Cooper For His Performance In Nightmare Alley
Fans began harboring hatred for Bradley Cooper after he made a comment about spending six years on his film, Maestro, unlike actors who spend six months preparing for roles (via Variety). Fans believed this comment was a dig at Oppenheimer actor Cillian Murphy, who revealed a six-month preparation time for the role. One fan on X pointed out his performance in the film, Nightmare Alley, amidst the online attack against the actor during this awards season.
Guillermo del Toro‘s film was supposed to star Leonardo DiCaprio as the cunning Stan Carlisle. But Cooper replaced him a few months later and delivered an exceptional performance. He was praised for his performance at the time and the film even received a nomination for Best Picture at the 94th Academy Awards. However, Cooper was notably snubbed for an award, making fans all riled up on social media at the time.
With only a couple of days left for the big night of Hollywood this year, the American Sniper actor is getting some sympathy from fans. Fans praised Cooper’s brilliant character arc in Nightmare Alley which saw him changing from a “charming scoundrel” to a “suave megalomaniac” to a “pariah”. They found it strange that the actor is getting all the hate this season despite his recent incredible performances. Some fan reactions about Bradley Cooper’s performance in the film read:
Gotta speak my truth and say that I think one of Bradley Cooper’s best and most underrated performances is in NIGHTMARE ALLEY. The arc his character undergoes from charming scoundrel to suave megalomaniac to pariah is a brilliant showcase. And that final scene is just incredible. pic.twitter.com/DjenCM25qb
— Carlos Aguilar (@Carlos_Film) March 6, 2024
Love his performance in Nightmare Alley – he works magic against Toni Collette and Cate Blanchett. It’s also the best he’s looked on screen to date.
— Brandon Lewis @ SXSW (@blewis1103) March 6, 2024
I’m obviously being facetious, but I do think that Bradley Cooper has done some really notable work in the past. Even as recent as NIGHTMARE ALLEY, i thought he was great in that one. And it’s kind of strange to see the vitriol he’s gotten this awards season.
— Carlos Aguilar (@Carlos_Film) January 9, 2024
Gonna put out some love for Bradley Cooper, Nightmare Alley is a really great movie and he took it on knowing he was the second choice when DiCaprio left the project… he delivered a hell of a good performance and looked damn fine doing it. pic.twitter.com/VOLNHryJq9
— Ben “Garbage Day” Barker (@Bloody_B_Barker) January 9, 2024
Oh my god Bradley Cooper's performance in Nightmare Alley is incredible pic.twitter.com/0ppt3EN5C9
— Haaris (@TrilogyFiIm) March 18, 2022
After Murphy’s win at the Golden Globes, fans on social media began mocking Cooper’s reaction to losing the award (via Men’s Journal). They were convinced that the Aloha actor was bitter at the Inception actor. When Cooper once again lost to Murphy at the SAG Awards, the cameras panned to the Hangover star’s face. Some fans called this a nasty move for furthering the fan-made awards drama.
Bradley Cooper’s Brief Licorice Pizza Role Also Impressed Many Fans
At the 94th Academy Awards, fans also were angry that Bradley Cooper was not given the nod for his brief yet memorable role in Licorice Pizza. Fans saw Cooper transform into the angry hairstylist Jon Peters, a real-life character, in the film. The film received three nominations, but Cooper was not recognized for this film resulting in a double snub for him that year.
Fans called his performance in the film a “banger” and shared that everyone wanted him to win an award for his performance at the time, as opposed to the current situation. Several fan reactions to his Licorice Pizza role read:
If I was Bradley Cooper and I gave two banger performances in Nightmare Alley & Licorice Pizza and NEITHER ONE was nominated, you’re GODDAMNED RIGHT I’d want a fucking Oscar.
— Kris Calabrese (@krisjocal) March 7, 2024
Remember when everyone wanted Bradley Cooper to win the Oscar for Licorice Pizza? Good old times pic.twitter.com/VodwGnkUOM
— the Valen papers (@StarcoVision) January 25, 2024
Bradley Cooper should have won the Oscar in Licorice Pizza for this scene pic.twitter.com/mRvED7Jvn4
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) July 30, 2022
when bradley cooper finally appeared in Licorice Pizzapic.twitter.com/MBli9HXN4H
— Nariman (@itsnarimann) February 19, 2022
Me reacting to Bradley Cooper FINALLY getting momentum for Licorice Pizza pic.twitter.com/koQlVE9Lvq
— kateyrich (@kateyrich) January 12, 2022
While there seems to be no beef between the actors this award season, there might be some truth to Cooper’s Oscar aspirations. Interestingly, Cooper has missed out on the Academy Awards nine times after getting nominated, including three times for the Best Actor Award and once for the Best Supporting Actor Award.
The 96th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on March 10, 2024. Cooper’s Maestro is now available for streaming on Netflix. Nightmare Alley is available on Hulu, while Licorice Pizza is available on Amazon Prime Video.
