- Bradley Cooper says Will Arnett confronted him in 2004 and helped him choose sobriety.
- The men revisited their shared history on Arnett’s SmartLess podcast in 2022.
- The longtime friends co-star in Is This Thing On?, in theaters Dec. 19.
How a tough conversation changed Bradley Cooper’s life
Bradley Cooper told The Hollywood Reporter that Will Arnett played a pivotal role in his decision to get sober more than two decades ago. Cooper said Arnett “took the risk of having that hard conversation with me that put me on the path of deciding to change my life.” He added, “It is truly Will Arnett, he is the reason.”
The moment Cooper refers to dates back to 2004, when Arnett, a friend and fellow actor-comic, confronted him about his drinking. Cooper said the fact the conversation came from someone he admired made it especially meaningful: “It helped that it was the guy I thought I was emulating. It’s not like somebody else said it. Like, the king told me.”
Podcast reunion, renewed friendship
The two men revisited their experiences with addiction and recovery on a candid 2022 episode of Arnett’s SmartLess podcast. That episode allowed them to open up about their shared history and deepened their friendship, Arnett told The Hollywood Reporter: “I think it allowed us both to open up and talk about our shared history, and how profound and deep those connections were.”
Embedded: SmartLess podcast episode (YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeqTCbiFFNE
The podcast conversation also led to the pair spending more time together and ultimately collaborating on the new film Is This Thing On?. Cooper wrote and directed the movie and takes a small acting role, while Arnett stars alongside Laura Dern as a married man facing divorce while raising two young sons.
From casual pals to creative collaborators
Cooper and Arnett first met more than 20 years ago through Amy Poehler. They reportedly hit it off at a New York bar and later lived near each other in Los Angeles in a building once associated with Dennis Hopper. Cooper recalled that Arnett “was always the funniest guy in the room,” and that early acceptance from Arnett made him feel “cool.” Their friendship endured through the years and helped create a foundation of trust that made it easier to tackle emotional material together on set.
Is This Thing On? — release details
Is This Thing On? opens in U.S. theaters Dec. 19. The film centers on a couple navigating a fracturing marriage and the pressures of parenting; Cooper’s behind-the-camera role and Arnett’s leading performance highlight their creative rapport.
Why it matters
The story underscores how honest conversations between friends can precipitate major life changes. Cooper’s public acknowledgment also highlights the role personal relationships can play in recovery, and it frames the pair’s new film as both a creative project and a product of a long-standing friendship.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, PEOPLE
Image Referance: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/bradley-cooper-credits-arnett-helping-191838616.html
