“He probably would’ve fired me”: Bradley Cooper Almost Gave Up Acting After Quitting Jennifer Garner’s Breakout Series Before Landing $469M Comedy Movie That Saved His Life

Bradley Cooper Almost Gave Up Acting After Quitting Jennifer Garner’s Breakout Series Before Landing $469M Comedy Movie That Saved His Life
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Having no plans or prior interest in acting as a teenager, Bradley Cooper did the exact opposite and has come a long way in Hollywood. But, there was a time in his life when he wasn’t sure if he should pursue acting anymore.

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We’re used to seeing the incredibly talented actor on the silver screen, but fans of his work know him from his appearances on TV.

Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper

Cooper made a brief appearance in one Sex and the City episode titled — ‘They shoot single people, don’t they?’ He went on to catch TV show makers’ attention post that. He landed a recurring role alongside Jennifer Garner in her own breakthrough show.

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It was during the second season of the series that he felt his craft might not be getting the desired appreciation. He ultimately quit the show.

Read more: “It was his first job”: Bradley Cooper’s Bold-Faced Lie Landed Him $2.47 Billion Role 15 Years

Bradley Cooper Talked To J.J. Abrams To Let Him Go

While it may have been a hard call, Bradley Cooper told GQ in an interview in 2013 that he questioned his career while working on J.J. Abrams’ Alias and wanted to quit acting altogether.

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“At some point, you have to come to terms with ‘The business just doesn’t want you,’ you know what I mean?”

Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Garner at an event
Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Garner at an event

J.J. Abrams, according to Cooper’s statements, had been too comfortable letting him depart the show. 

“J.J. was like, ‘OK.’ He probably would’ve fired me, anyway,” added Cooper.

He also indicated in the interview that the makers of the ABC drama kept reducing his screen time which led him to retire his character Will Tippin.

Read more: Guillermo Del Toro Replaced Leonardo DiCaprio With Bradley Cooper in $60M Movie after Leo Chose Martin Scorsese Instead: “There was gonna be a conflict”

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Todd Philips’ Comedy Film Saved Bradley Cooper’s Ailing Career

Leaving the series, Bradley Cooper did not have any projects on his plate. According to multiple media sources, he had also been involved in substance abuse during the series and after.

Todd Philips came as a Knight in shining armor and saved Cooper from his decline. The Hangover (2009) became the actor’s breakthrough film and the rest is history.

The Hangover
The Hangover

The Hangover trilogy collected $1.4 billion globally and helped the superstar see himself in a new light.

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“The one thing that I’ve learned in life is the best thing I can do is embrace who I am and then do that to the fullest extent,” said Cooper about his recovery.

Suggested: “I really liked that song”: Marvel Star Bradley Cooper’s Demand for His $456M Movie With Lady Gaga Was Turned Down by Producer That Resulted in an Oscar Win

Bradley Cooper will be seen in the upcoming biographical drama — Maestro, which is expected to release sometime in August or early September on Netflix. The screenplay is co-written by Cooper and Josh Singer with Todd Philips, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg producing.

Source: GQ

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Written by Ojaswi Chaudhary

Articles Published: 265

Extremely passionate about a great story since the little guy was 8. He has lived through nothing short of almost 300 of Hollywood's finest pieces of work, and is now creating some of his own here at FandomWire. He loves to make time for a good book and a good meal.