Bradley Cooper, known for his self-directed performance in “Maestro,” recently shared a career-changing moment he experienced on the set of “Wedding Crashers.” Cooper joined fellow best actor SAG Award nominees for a conversation, and when asked about a transformative moment with a fellow actor, he surprised everyone by naming Vince Vaughn.
In the 2005 R-rated comedy “Wedding Crashers,” Cooper played the supporting role of Sack Lodge, the villainous boyfriend of Claire. At the time, Cooper was primarily recognized for his good-guy role on the ABC spy thriller “Alias” alongside Jennifer Garner. Hence, his inclusion in “Wedding Crashers” was a significant breakthrough as it allowed him to break away from his usual onscreen image.
Cooper recalls being in awe of Vaughn’s talent and work ethic. He witnessed Vaughn completely immerse himself in a scene and go above and beyond expectations. Cooper specifically mentions a scene where the grandmother shoots Vaughn, and he runs out of the room. Vaughn, not satisfied with just one take, insisted on doing another, even in front of a massive crew and bright lights. Cooper was amazed by Vaughn’s willingness to fail and his fearlessness in trying new approaches.
Cooper describes Vaughn as a huge tough guy, incredibly funny and quick-witted. However, what left a lasting impact on Cooper was seeing Vaughn’s willingness to fail and experiment without fear of judgment. Cooper compares this experience to a diamond cutting through his head, a symbolic moment of realization and freedom. It forever changed Cooper’s approach to acting.
“Wedding Crashers,” starring Vaughn and Owen Wilson, became one of the most successful R-rated comedies of the 2000s, grossing $288 million worldwide. Cooper went on to achieve even greater success with the R-rated comedy trilogy, “The Hangover,” which earned a staggering $1.4 billion at the box office. When asked about the possibility of a fourth “Hangover” movie, Cooper expressed his willingness to be a part of it, expressing his deep appreciation for Todd Phillips, Zach Galifianakis, and Ed Helms.
While Cooper’s career has flourished since “Wedding Crashers,” he acknowledges the impact of that particular moment with Vaughn. It taught him the value of embracing failure and being open to experimentation. Vaughn’s influence on Cooper’s growth as an actor is a testament to the power of collaboration and learning from talented peers.
To watch the full conversation among the best actor SAG Award nominees, check out the video below:
(Article source: F5 Magazine)