Bradley Charles Cooper, born on January 5, 1975, in Abington Township, Pennsylvania, is an American actor and filmmaker. He grew up in the nearby communities of Jenkintown and Rydal. Cooper's mother, Gloria, worked for a local NBC station, while his father, Charles, was a stockbroker.

He graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Actors Studio Drama School at The New School.

Bradley Cooper began his career with a guest role in the television series "Sex and the City" in 1999. He gained some recognition as Will Tippin in the television series "Alias" from 2001 to 2006. His breakthrough came with the comedy film "The Hangover" in 2009, which was both a critical and commercial success.

This role catapulted him into stardom and led to sequels in 2011 and 2013. His career continued to flourish with starring roles in films such as "Limitless" and "The Place Beyond the Pines."

His performance in "Silver Linings Playbook" in 2012 earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He received further acclaim for his roles in "American Hustle" and "American Sniper," the latter of which he also produced. Cooper's versatility as an actor was evident when he portrayed Joseph Merrick in a Broadway revival of "The Elephant Man" in 2014. He also voiced Rocket in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with "Guardians of the Galaxy" in 2014.

In 2018, Bradley Cooper made his directorial debut with the musical romance "A Star Is Born," in which he also starred alongside Lady Gaga. The film was a massive success, earning him a BAFTA Award and two Grammy Awards for its soundtrack. He has since produced the thrillers "Joker" and "Nightmare Alley" and co-wrote and directed the biographical drama "Maestro," where he starred as Leonard Bernstein.

His personal life has been the subject of media attention. He was briefly married to actress Jennifer Esposito and has a daughter from his relationship with model Irina Shayk. He has been linked to several high-profile relationships, including Zoe Saldaña and Suki Waterhouse.

Throughout his career, Bradley Cooper has received numerous accolades, including a British Academy Film Award and two Grammy Awards. He has been nominated for twelve Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. His films have grossed over $13 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.