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Bradley Cooper says Will Arnett is the reason he got sober 21 years ago

Teddy Grant

Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett at the "Is This Thing On?" New York Special Screening held at the DGA Theater on December 10, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty Images)

(NewsNation) — Bradley Cooper credits his close friend Will Arnett for changing his life after urging him to get sober over 20 years ago.

Arnett and Cooper spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about their new movie “Is This Thing On?” and recalled a 2022 conversation they had on Arnett’s podcast, “SmartLess,” when they spoke openly about their sobriety.


“Will took the risk of having that hard conversation with me that put me on the path of deciding to change my life. It is truly Will Arnett, he is the reason,” The “Maestro” actor told THR. “And it helped that it was the guy I thought I was emulating. It’s not like somebody else said it. Like, the king told me.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 05: (L-R) Will Arnett and Bradley Cooper speak onstage during the “Is This Thing On” BAFTA Screening at Regal Union Square on November 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 10: Will Arnett attends the screening of “Is This Thing On?” at DGA Theater on December 10, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Cooper got sober in 2004.

“I think it allowed us both to open up and talk about our shared history, and how profound and deep those connections were,” the “Arrested Development” star said of the “SmartLess” episode and the effect it had on their decades-long friendship.

“The Hangover” actor and Arnett met in the early 2000s through Arnett’s now-ex-wife, Amy Poehler.

Cooper wrote and directed “Is This Thing On?” which stars Arnett and Laura Dern as a married couple whose marriage is unraveling as they raise their kids on the outskirts of New York City.