Bradley Cooper recently shared how becoming a father has had a profound impact on his life.
In a candid interview on the Armchair Expert podcast with Dax Shepard, the Maestro actor-director-producer revealed that he believes being a dad has saved his life.
Cooper and his ex-partner Irina Shayk welcomed their daughter, Lea, in 2017. The actor compared the experience of becoming a father to having a metaphorical anchor dropped in his life. He expressed that he needed someone to make him realize that there was something more important than himself, referencing the importance of being a parent.
Initially, Cooper admitted that he didn’t immediately understand the overwhelming love and protection that parents feel for their children. However, after the first few months of his daughter’s life, his perspective shifted dramatically. He described the moment when his feelings changed, emphasizing that there was no doubt in his mind about the depth of his love for his child.
In addition to his role as a father, Cooper has been transparent about his past struggles with addiction. He considers himself fortunate to have overcome those challenges and has maintained nearly 20 years of sobriety.
Reflecting on his journey, Cooper acknowledged that being a father has motivated him to work on himself to be the best version possible and minimize any negative impact on his daughter.