Long before becoming a celebrated Hollywood figure, Bradley Cooper had a pivotal moment in his early acting journey during his time at drama school, which highlighted key steps in his Bradley Cooper early career. This throwback moment recently resurfaced, showing Cooper in his student days engaging with veteran actor Sean Penn on the show Inside the Actors Studio in New York City.
From Drama School to Hollywood Recognition
Bradley Cooper, now an Oscar-nominated actor and filmmaker known around the world, is one of Pennsylvania’s most prominent talents. He has accumulated 12 Academy Award nominations to date, making him a highly respected and established star in Hollywood circles. His filmography spans major titles such as 2009’s comedy The Hangover, 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the war drama American Sniper, and the musical A Star Is Born. Beyond acting, Cooper has directed and starred in films like Maestro and the upcoming Is This Thing On?
Despite his tremendous achievements, Cooper’s rise was not without its share of hard work and persistence. Like many stars, he had to work diligently to earn his place at the very top of his profession.
Cooper honed his craft at the Actors Studio Drama School, which was then a part of The New School in New York City. He was selected for the prestigious Master of Fine Arts program—an honor overseen by its dean emeritus, James Lipton, a noted figure in entertainment and education. Right after earning his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in 1997, Cooper moved directly into this advanced training, ultimately receiving his MFA in 2000. Famously, he missed his own graduation ceremony to pursue filming for Wet Hot American Summer, an early milestone in his acting path.
A Young Cooper Poses a Thoughtful Question to Sean Penn
While still a student, Cooper attended the filming of Inside the Actors Studio—a renowned talk show hosted by Lipton—in New York. There, he was afforded the chance to ask questions to legendary figures in the acting world. On one memorable episode, Cooper directed his curiosity to Sean Penn, an actor with multiple critically acclaimed roles and Oscar victories to his name.
This rare exchange, now viewable online on the Industria Movies Instagram account, captures a young Cooper introducing himself and reflecting on his admiration for Penn’s work. He asked Penn about the experience of reprising the role of Eddie in Hurlyburly, a character Penn first played in David Rabe’s Los Angeles stage production in the late 1980s, before returning to the role for Anthony Drazan’s 1998 film adaptation. Cooper was keen to understand what it felt like for Penn to return to a character after such a long gap, showing the kind of thoughtful inquiry that hinted at his deep interest in the nuances of performance.
“Before he was world famous actor and director Bradley Cooper, Bradley Cooper was just a second year acting student looking to make his big break in the industry. Here he is attending an Inside the Actors Studio Q&A with Sean Penn where he gets the chance to pick the legendary actor’s brain.”
— Industria Movies account
Sean Penn Shares Insight from His Stage and Film Experience
Sean Penn, who by then had already amassed a significant acting career—including starring turns in films such as Carlito’s Way, Mystic River, Milk, and the forthcoming One Battle After Another—responded to Cooper’s question with considerable thoughtfulness. Penn noted that it was his first time performing in a film adaptation of a play that he had previously starred in on stage. Drawing from his own experiences, Penn described how the stage version of Hurlyburly functioned as an extended rehearsal, helping shape his understanding of the character when he took on the film role years later. Throughout Penn’s reflection, Cooper listened intently, absorbing the advice and insight that would contribute to his own growth as an actor.
Penn’s career includes two Academy Award wins for Best Actor—for his roles in Mystic River and Milk—and a reputation for taking on challenging roles. His thoughtful response to Cooper exemplified the kind of mentorship moments that can help shape future artists.
A Connection That Came Full Circle
In a remarkable twist, years after their exchange on Inside the Actors Studio, Cooper and Penn would share the screen as fellow actors in the ensemble cast of Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2021 coming-of-age film Licorice Pizza. This collaboration highlighted the unpredictable trajectories of careers and connections in Hollywood, as two actors who once sat on opposite ends of a Q&A found themselves as colleagues.
Bradley Cooper’s early career, shaped by rigorous study in New York City, genuine curiosity, and guidance from established figures like James Lipton and Sean Penn, demonstrates the lasting influence these early experiences can have. As Cooper continues to make his mark as both an actor and filmmaker, this formative moment remains a testament to the value of learning from those who have come before.
