Bradley Cooper reveals addiction battles, feels ‘very lucky to be alive’

Bradley Cooper shared some intimate details about his life and past struggles when he appeared on an episode of 'Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge'. Photo / Getty Images

Bradley Cooper feels “very lucky” to be alive after struggling with addiction in his 20s.

The 48-year-old actor admitted to struggling with substance abuse some years ago but has been sober for almost two decades, as he revealed during an appearance on Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge that his struggles were not brought about by fame.

Asked if he had ever had any “wild” years, he said: “In terms of alcohol and drugs, yeah. But nothing to do with fame, though. But I was lucky. I got sober at 29 years old, and I’ve been sober for 19 years. I’ve been very lucky.”

Bradley Cooper has a heart-to-heart in an episode of 'Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge'. Photo / YouTube

The American Sniper star appeared alongside Lady Gaga in the 2018 remake of A Star is Born, in which he played an alcoholic musician, and when asked if his own personal struggle had helped bring his portrayal of the role to the screen, he admitted it had made things “easier” and said he felt fortunate he was in a place where he was able to play such a part.

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in 'A Star is Born'.

He said: “It made it easier to be able to really enter in there. And thank goodness I was at a place in my life where I was at ease with all of that, so I could really let myself go.”

“I’ve been very lucky with the roles I’ve had to play. It’s been a real blessing. I hope I get to keep doing it.”

Bradley also opened up about the loss of his father Charles - who died in 2011 after a battle with lung cancer - and explained that he developed a “nihilistic attitude” during his grief before things started to “even out” for him mentally.

He added: “I definitely had a nihilistic attitude after for a little bit, just like I [thought], ‘I’m going to die’. I don’t know, it was not great for a little bit, until I realised I had to just embrace who I actually am, and try to find peace with that. And then it sort of evened out.”