Every Hollywood dream adjusts at least once to imbibe the cinematic tropes from screen to reality. For actors, the lives of reel and reality play mutually in building fascinating career summaries. Some find it hard to keep the success of professional life in tandem with their private sphere, and Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper is one such star. Despite his stellar acting resume, Cooper has not been as lucky in family matters. Especially his initial bumpy roads in forming a bond with his daughter, bear testament to it. Yet, those are now relics of the past, as Cooper finds echoes of his father in his daughter. 

Therefore, to fathom this transformative journey, there remains a need to first understand the nature of Cooper and his dad’s relationship.

Bradley Cooper’s father’s death: A catalyst for his transition

Bradley Cooper’s love for his kin is above and beyond the ordinary. And if anyone has to find a fitting adage for the actor, it is none other than the one reading “like father like son”. Hence, it is, after all, not that surprising that when it came to his daughter, the actor found his father. But it all began after Cooper had to bid his farewell to his father, Charles J. Cooper, following the latter’s long battle with lung cancer.

For Cooper, it was a turning point in life. It was in 2011 when Cooper set out on the last day of Hangover II’s filming to be by the side of his ailing father. Little did he know back then that within two weeks, they would be separated forever. Talking to The New York Times in 2018 about that dreadful day, the actor recalled how it was the genesis of a “new reality” and to him, it was a “whole new world”.

While that moment was instantly upheaval for the star, it also paved the path for his coming to terms with co-parenting and fatherhood. 

Bradley Cooper’s daughter, Lea de Seine

It is not news to the world that Bradley Cooper shares a beautiful daughter with his ex, Irina Shayk, and their initial roads were not as smooth as now. From 2015 to 2019, Cooper dated the Russian model, Irina Shayk, and the pair gave birth to Lea de Seine in 2017, March 17th. Despite their separation, the duo co-parents their daughter and has often been spotted together. Although the actor prefers to keep his daughter Lea de Seine away from the public eye, he managed to arrest their gaze with a surprising confession recently at Dax Shepherd’s Armchair podcast.

Recalling the days after Seine was born, the Oscar nominee expressed his mixed feelings about his daughter. However, he was quick to add that despite having taken some months to come to terms with the news, he has realized that “it’s no question” that he would “die” for her if she were at the edge of the gun. His admission alone vouches for how big of a transformation this daughter-father duo has undergone after their rocky onset and it is all thanks to Cooper’s father. 

Bradley Cooper’s journey from fumbles to fatherhood

A year ago while talking to Bear Grylls for an episode of Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge, the actor opened up about his father’s death and the resultant turning point of his life. For Cooper, his father’s death was a “blessing” as when he died in Cooper’s arms, it made him witness the “factual example of mortality”. He confessed how it initially pushed him to nihilism, but then “evened out” when he learned to embrace his reality.

Pressing on the subject of fatherhood, Cooper focused on how his learnings from his father have grounded him to accept that mistakes are only humane. Hence, for him to navigate through those mistakes led to his road to becoming a better father to Seine. After this entire blow of reality checks after his father’s death, this is how he slipped into the bliss of parenting.

Bradley Cooper’s parenting gene: A gateway to a better life

Back in 2011, in an interview with NPR, the Oscar-nominee let slip how big a miracle it is for his dream of “having a child and a family” to turn into reality. In that same interview, Cooper mentioned how his father “works his way” into his life now and then. And it is due to this constant presence, his blessings, and his family’s utmost support that has led him to look out for his daughter as well. He said how he just wants his daughter to “feel loved” like his parents made him feel.

In an interview with Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations from Times Square in 2019, Cooper further mentioned having felt a spiritual connection between his father and his daughter. He emphasized how finding his family “changed everything” while adding how he sees his father’s reflection in his daughter’s eyes. He shared that on some occasions, the presence of his father becomes so transparent that she bears an uncanny resemblance to him.

Following these confessions, the actor also admitted on multiple occasions about his favorite pastime; to watch cartoons with his daughter. And post the award ceremonies, it is probably going to be his favorite pick for his previous teasers of laid-back plans. While it is truly surreal how life comes in a complete circle, for Cooper at least, the circle of reality was nothing less than a cinema and it shows.

Did you know about the nature of Bradley Cooper’s relationship with his daughter, Lea de Seine, and how his relationship with his father contributed to its betterment? Let us know in the comments below!