Bradley Cooper is opening up to share a story that has profoundly shaped him. The actor recalls his deep bond with his father, Charlie Cooper, who died in 2011 at 71 after a battle with lung cancer.
This loss changed not only how he grieved but how he saw love, responsibility, and the quiet heroism of caregiving. In the new PBS documentary “Caregiving,” which he also executive produced, Cooper reflects on their relationship and the profound impact caregiving had on him.
“My dad was somebody I idolized,” the actor, 50, says in the film. “I used to dress up like him when I was a kid in kindergarten and get made fun of because I wanted to wear a little suit and tie.”
Bradley Cooper Reflects on the Emotional Toll of Caring for His Ailing Father
Bradley Cooper says witnessing his once-strong father grow dependent on care was one of the most transformative experiences of his life.
“Like most people, I didnât even think about caregiving until my dad was diagnosed,” he explains. “To go from [dressing up like him] to giving him a bath is quite a traumatic thing… he was at a point where he needed a lot of care.”Cooper added that he was âlucky enoughâ to be present during that time and grateful for the support he received.
Tribute to Caregivers: “These Are Heroic People”
Cooper uses the documentary not only to share his own story but also to spotlight the selfless individuals who care for their loved ones every day.
“These are heroic people that are caregivers, period,” he says in the film. “Their ability to focus and give all of themselves is something I stand in awe of.”
The film, narrated by Uzo Aduba, highlights the emotional, logistical, and financial challenges of caregiving while honoring the strength of those who do it quietly, every day.
Bradley Cooper Recalls a Bittersweet Phillies Game with His Father During His Final Days
At a special screening of Caregiving held at the United Nations on June 12, Cooper shared a bittersweet memory from one of his last outings with his father: a Phillies game.
He recalled sitting with his dad in the dugoutâan exceptional experienceâwhen his father took a long time in the restroom.
“I never liked being late to anything, so they’re getting late on the field,” Cooper remembered. “I was like, Is he going to die in the bathroom at the stadium?” he joked to a laughing crowd. “Thatâs what my brain just did â went into that memory of anxiety… remembering him in the bathroom.” Then, with a reflective tone, he added: “But thatâs what you do to cope.”
Bradley Cooper Highlights the Importance of Caregiving in New PBS Documentary
Caregiving is now streaming on PBS and aims to spark a broader conversation about the reality of care in America.
The film includes a powerful quote from former First Lady Rosalynn Carter:
âThere are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers. Those who currently are caregivers. Those who will be caregivers. And those who will need caregiving.â
Producers are encouraging viewers to share their own stories online using the hashtags #CaregivingPBS and #ShareYourCaregivingStory. You can start streaming Caregiving here.
You can also watch the CBS documentary on YouTube.
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