Jenkintown native Bradley Cooper found inspiration from an unexpected source, writes Aimee Ferrier for Far Out. In this case, it was Christian Bale.
The two starred together in 2013’s American Hustle, where Bale played a slippery con man and Cooper portrayed a hot-headed FBI agent. Watching Bale fully commit to his role—accents, physical changes, and all—left a lasting impression on Cooper. So much so, he borrowed Bale’s intense approach for one of his most challenging roles: real-life Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle in American Sniper.
That part demanded more than just acting chops. Kyle’s story was raw and real, and Cooper wanted to do it justice. On The Howard Stern Show, Cooper explained how channeling Bale’s process—staying in character even off-camera—helped him truly live the role. The result? Another Oscar nomination.
Bale, known for extreme transformations in films like The Machinist and Vice, doesn’t even consider himself a “method actor,” insisting he just does what each role requires. Still, his immersive style clearly left its mark on Cooper.
Whether it’s method or instinct, Cooper proved that great performances often start with great examples.
To learn more about how Christian Bale influenced Bradley Cooper’s performance, visit Far Out Magazine.
