Photo:Jesse Grant/Getty for DisneyBradley Cooperis thankful for his sobriety.The actor, 48, appeared in a recent episode of National Geographic’sRunning Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge, and spoke about hispast addiction struggles, saying he felt “very lucky” to have since overcome them.Cooper told hostBear Gryllsat one point during the episode that he felt as though he did not “get lost in fame,” which prompted Grylls, 49, to ask him, “But you definitely had some wild years?““In terms of alcohol and drugs, yeah. But nothing to do with fame, though,” Cooper responded, adding: “But I was lucky. I got sober at 29 years old, and I’ve been sober for 19 years. I’ve been very lucky.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.National Geographic for Disney/Jeff EllingsonContinuing their candid conversation, Grylls questioned if Cooper’s past addiction struggles helped him with hisA Star Is Bornrole, in which he played a musician with alcohol addiction.“It made it easier to be able to really enter in there,” Cooper responded.“And thank goodness I was at a place in my life where I was at ease with all of that, so I could really let myself go,” he continued. “I’ve been very lucky with the roles I’ve had to play. It’s been a real blessing. I hope I get to keep doing it.“Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicIn an exclusive clipfrom the episode previously shared with PEOPLE, Cooper also spoke about how his dad dying from lung cancer in 2011 affected his outlook on life.“I definitely had a nihilistic attitude after for a little bit, just like I [thought], ‘I’m going to die,’ ” the father of one told Grylls.He added, “I don’t know, it was not great for a little bit, until I realized I had to just embrace who I actually am, and try to find a peace with that. And then it sort of evened out.”Dia Dipasupil/WireImageCooper also opened up to Grylls abouthow his father’s death has affected his own experience as a dad. (He shares his daughter Lea, 6, withIrina Shayk.)“I mean, you learn from your predecessor’s mistakes. And I’ll make tons that hopefully Lea will learn from, and then being rigorous with myself to grow,” theGuardians of the Galaxystar said. “To help unburden her with any of my bulls—.“If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
Photo:Jesse Grant/Getty for Disney
Jesse Grant/Getty for Disney
Bradley Cooperis thankful for his sobriety.The actor, 48, appeared in a recent episode of National Geographic’sRunning Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge, and spoke about hispast addiction struggles, saying he felt “very lucky” to have since overcome them.Cooper told hostBear Gryllsat one point during the episode that he felt as though he did not “get lost in fame,” which prompted Grylls, 49, to ask him, “But you definitely had some wild years?““In terms of alcohol and drugs, yeah. But nothing to do with fame, though,” Cooper responded, adding: “But I was lucky. I got sober at 29 years old, and I’ve been sober for 19 years. I’ve been very lucky.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.National Geographic for Disney/Jeff EllingsonContinuing their candid conversation, Grylls questioned if Cooper’s past addiction struggles helped him with hisA Star Is Bornrole, in which he played a musician with alcohol addiction.“It made it easier to be able to really enter in there,” Cooper responded.“And thank goodness I was at a place in my life where I was at ease with all of that, so I could really let myself go,” he continued. “I’ve been very lucky with the roles I’ve had to play. It’s been a real blessing. I hope I get to keep doing it.“Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicIn an exclusive clipfrom the episode previously shared with PEOPLE, Cooper also spoke about how his dad dying from lung cancer in 2011 affected his outlook on life.“I definitely had a nihilistic attitude after for a little bit, just like I [thought], ‘I’m going to die,’ ” the father of one told Grylls.He added, “I don’t know, it was not great for a little bit, until I realized I had to just embrace who I actually am, and try to find a peace with that. And then it sort of evened out.”Dia Dipasupil/WireImageCooper also opened up to Grylls abouthow his father’s death has affected his own experience as a dad. (He shares his daughter Lea, 6, withIrina Shayk.)“I mean, you learn from your predecessor’s mistakes. And I’ll make tons that hopefully Lea will learn from, and then being rigorous with myself to grow,” theGuardians of the Galaxystar said. “To help unburden her with any of my bulls—.“If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
Bradley Cooperis thankful for his sobriety.
The actor, 48, appeared in a recent episode of National Geographic’sRunning Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge, and spoke about hispast addiction struggles, saying he felt “very lucky” to have since overcome them.
Cooper told hostBear Gryllsat one point during the episode that he felt as though he did not “get lost in fame,” which prompted Grylls, 49, to ask him, “But you definitely had some wild years?”
“In terms of alcohol and drugs, yeah. But nothing to do with fame, though,” Cooper responded, adding: “But I was lucky. I got sober at 29 years old, and I’ve been sober for 19 years. I’ve been very lucky.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
National Geographic for Disney/Jeff Ellingson
Continuing their candid conversation, Grylls questioned if Cooper’s past addiction struggles helped him with hisA Star Is Bornrole, in which he played a musician with alcohol addiction.
“It made it easier to be able to really enter in there,” Cooper responded.
“And thank goodness I was at a place in my life where I was at ease with all of that, so I could really let myself go,” he continued. “I’ve been very lucky with the roles I’ve had to play. It’s been a real blessing. I hope I get to keep doing it.”
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
In an exclusive clipfrom the episode previously shared with PEOPLE, Cooper also spoke about how his dad dying from lung cancer in 2011 affected his outlook on life.
“I definitely had a nihilistic attitude after for a little bit, just like I [thought], ‘I’m going to die,’ ” the father of one told Grylls.
He added, “I don’t know, it was not great for a little bit, until I realized I had to just embrace who I actually am, and try to find a peace with that. And then it sort of evened out.”
Dia Dipasupil/WireImage
Cooper also opened up to Grylls abouthow his father’s death has affected his own experience as a dad. (He shares his daughter Lea, 6, withIrina Shayk.)
“I mean, you learn from your predecessor’s mistakes. And I’ll make tons that hopefully Lea will learn from, and then being rigorous with myself to grow,” theGuardians of the Galaxystar said. “To help unburden her with any of my bulls—.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
source: people.com
