In a star-studded event at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, renowned actor Brad Pitt took the stage to honor his colleague and friend, Bradley Cooper, presenting him with the prestigious Outstanding Performer of the Year award. The accolade recognized Cooper’s remarkable portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in the biopic ‘Maestro.’
Adding a touch of humor to the ceremony, Pitt jokingly pointed out a “couple of things in common” between them, highlighting their shared status as movie superstars and a similarity in names, as reported by People.
Reflecting on Cooper’s early career, Pitt praised the actor’s ability to bring freshness to the screen, citing his performance in ‘The Hangover.’ Pitt observed Cooper’s subtle yet evident enjoyment of co-star Zach Galifianakis’s irreverence, predicting that Cooper’s unique approach would make a lasting impact in the industry.
Turning his attention to Cooper’s directorial debut in 2018, ‘A Star Is Born,’ Pitt acknowledged the high standards set by previous adaptations of the film. He commended Cooper for delivering a performance that seamlessly integrated moments of vulnerability, such as playing a drunk character, while maintaining a keen awareness of the filmmaking process.
Pitt then shifted focus to Cooper’s recent work, particularly praising ‘Maestro’ as a “masterwork.” He highlighted the vibrancy and naturalism in a specific scene featuring Cooper and co-star Carey Mulligan, emphasizing the difficulty of achieving such authenticity on screen.
Attempting to decipher the essence of Cooper’s brilliance, Pitt speculated that it stems from the actor’s profound love for the human experience, encompassing its struggles, joys, and messiness. He credited Cooper for infusing this passion into every frame he brings to the screen.
Concluding his tribute, Pitt expressed his optimism for Cooper’s success at the upcoming Oscars, where ‘Maestro’ is nominated for seven Academy Awards. Pitt, acknowledging Cooper’s 12 previous nominations, humorously reassured the audience that “he’s used to it” and playfully highlighted Cooper’s resilience as a Philadelphia Eagles fan.
This heartfelt presentation from Pitt to Cooper comes four years after Cooper honored Pitt with the Best Supporting Actor award at the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala in January 2020, creating a reciprocal bond of recognition between the two celebrated actors.
