Bradley Cooper addressed plastic surgery rumors for the first time during a podcast appearance, firmly denying he’s had any work done.
His comments followed renewed speculation sparked by viral clips from press appearances for “Is This Thing On?,” where fans debated changes in his appearance.
Bradley Cooper has previously defended using a prosthetic nose in “Maestro,” explaining it was done for authenticity, not cosmetic enhancement.
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Bradley Cooper Sets The Record Straight On Cosmetic Surgery Rumors
In a recent appearance on the “SmartLess” podcast, hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, Bradley Cooper finally addressed the chatter surrounding his appearance, shutting down long-running rumors about cosmetic surgery.
During the conversation, Arnett, who is a longtime friend of Cooper’s, recalled being asked once to share something people might not know about the actor.
He admitted he nearly brought up the persistent plastic surgery chatter, claiming Cooper had gone under the knife.
“Everybody thinks that Bradley’s had plastic surgery,” Arnett explained. “Everybody keeps saying that. I’m like, ‘What people don’t know is that he hasn’t.’ Right?”
Bateman jumped in to clarify the point, repeating, “That he hasn’t,” which Arnett emphatically confirmed.
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The “Maestro” star, now 51, acknowledged that the speculation has followed him closely, especially recently.
“No, I get people [coming] up to me the last couple of weeks. They’re like, ‘Oh, you look good! Yeah. Yeah, but it’s a crazy—,” he shared.
Arnett admitted the rumors frustrate him. “It did make me think… It made me mad because people say that all the time, and it’s a hilarious thing,” he said. “Everybody thinks that they know. You know you read that bullsh-t stuff.”
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The Actor Sparked Plastic Surgery Speculation After His Viral Press Appearances
The renewed scrutiny around Cooper’s looks began in October, when he was spotted during press appearances for his latest film, “Is This Thing On?”
A short video shared by E! News quickly spread online, with viewers closely analyzing the actor’s noticeably smooth skin and what appeared to be more defined facial features.
Social media users were quick to weigh in, pointing out sharper cheekbones and debating whether he looked subtly altered.
Some even likened his appearance to Barry Manilow or Cillian Murphy, while others simply commented that something about his look seemed different.
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A Plastic Surgery Expert Spoke About Bradley Cooper’s Possible Cosmetic Enhancements
According to Lambe, the changes could potentially be explained by refined cosmetic procedures.
He suggested that Cooper may have opted for discreet enhancements such as jawline tightening or a lower facelift, possibly involving advanced methods that reposition the SMAS layer beneath the skin to improve firmness and contour.
Lambe also noted that Cooper’s eyes appeared more open, speculating that a minor procedure in that area could be a factor.
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The Actor Explained His Prosthetic Nose In ‘Maestro,’ Emphasizing Authenticity Over Appearance
While speculation about Cooper’s looks has circulated for years, the “SmartLess” appearance marked the first time he directly addressed plastic surgery rumors.
However, this wasn’t the first occasion the actor had spoken publicly about changes to his appearance. He previously addressed criticism surrounding his use of a prosthetic nose while portraying famed composer Leonard Bernstein in the 2023 film “Maestro.”
Speaking on “CBS Mornings” in November 2023, Cooper explained that the project was deeply personal.
“The truth is, I’ve done this whole project out of love,” he said. “And it’s so clear to me where I come from—my nose is very similar to Lenny’s, actually. The prosthetic is actually like a silk sheet.”
The actor, who also co-wrote and directed the Netflix biopic, went on to explain that the decision to use prosthetics was rooted in authenticity rather than exaggeration.
“It’s all about balance, and, you know, my lips are nothing like Lenny’s, and my chin,” he added. “And so we had that, and it just didn’t look right. We just had to do it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t believe he’s a human being.”
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Bradley Cooper Promotes ‘Is This Thing On?’ Amid Broadway Date Night With Gigi Hadid
Cooper’s recent visibility comes as he promotes “Is This Thing On?,” his latest directorial project, which stars Arnett and Laura Dern as a couple on the verge of divorce.
The film follows a couple grappling with the slow breakdown of their marriage. Arnett plays Alex, a man facing middle age and an impending divorce, while searching for meaning through New York’s comedy scene.
Dern’s character, Tess, reckons with the personal sacrifices she made for her family, as both navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether “love can take a new form.”
Outside of work, Cooper has also made headlines for his relationship with Gigi Hadid. The two, who have been linked since October 2023, were recently spotted attending a matinee performance of “Waiting for Godot” on Broadway on December 20.
In a rare couple photo shared by the production, Cooper and Hadid posed alongside the show’s cast, including Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, as well as Jesse Aaronson, Brandon J. Dirden, Michael Patrick Thornton, and Franklin Bongjio.