Bradley Cooper once lost out of a big movie role because it was decided he "wasn’t f**able".
The 43-year-old actor is one of Hollywood’s in-demand men following his acclaimed performances in movies such as ‘American Sniper’, ‘American Hustle’ and ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, and he has created an Oscars buzz with his directorial debut on his remake of ‘A Star Is Born’ – in which he also stars.
Cooper is proud of how far his career has come as he’s always felt like an "underdog" in the movie business and even had his sexiness questioned when he was starting out.
In an interview with W Magazine, he revealed: "I’ve always been an underdog. I was always operating under the lens of not really being seen as the ‘main guy.’
"I’ve heard it all in my career. Early on, I didn’t get a role because they said I wasn’t ‘f**kable.’ In the end, you have to reserve your attention for the work and not listen to anyone. People I care about, who care about me, told me not to direct ‘A Star Is Born’, said that it would be too difficult and I should start with something easier. Luckily, I didn’t listen. I loved that it was really, really hard to make this film. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have the same value. And that’s always been my goal: to make something, no matter how challenging, that will be remembered."
As well as directing and starring in ‘A Star Is Born’, Cooper also co-wrote the script, contributed to several of the songs in the movie, was responsible for casting Lady Gaga as the leading lady and oversaw every detail of the production.
Cooper has been keen to branch out from appearing in front of the camera for some time as he believes he has nearly played every great role available to him.
He explained: "I always thought I had six characters in me, and I’ve already played a few of them. I’ve been a soldier [‘American Sniper’], a musician [‘A Star Is Born’], a chef [‘Burnt’], and a disfigured person [‘The Elephant Man’]. I still want to play a conductor. And then who knows?"