Bradley Cooper may be one of Hollywood’s biggest heartthrobs now, but the A-list actor has revealed that he wasn’t always treated that way.

In a candid interview with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes on Amazon Music and Wondery’s SmartLess podcast, the Silver Linings Playbook told the hosts that his self-esteem was battered after being fired from the Jennifer Garner action-thriller series Alias in the early 2000s.

The Oscar nominee also revealed that he struggled with substance abuse at the same time.

“I was so lost and I was addicted to cocaine — that was the other thing,” he said.

“I severed my Achilles tendon right after I got fired/quit Alias”

“I did have the benefit of that happening when I was 29. I thought I made it when I got a Wendy’s commercial. In terms of the ‘made it’ thing, that’s when I made it.”

“But I definitely did not feel [it], moving to Los Angeles for Alias feeling like I was back in high school. I could not get into any clubs, no girls wanted to look at me.”

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“I definitely made major breakthroughs at 29 to 33, 34, where at least I was able to stand in front of somebody and breathe and listen and talk.”
Since starring as Phil in The Hangover franchise, which became one of the highest-grossing R-rated films of all time, Cooper’s career skyrocketed. He went on to win starring roles in American Hustle, A Star Is Born, The Place Beyond The Pines and American Sniper. In 2011 he won People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” award.
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