Bradley Cooper Denies Plastic Surgery Rumors for the First Time on ‘SmartLess’ Podcast

Bradley Cooper is finally addressing long-running plastic surgery rumors—and he says there’s nothing to them.

During a recent appearance on the SmartLess podcast, the actor shut down speculation about his appearance after viral clips from press appearances for Is This Thing On? reignited online debate.

The topic came up when host Will Arnett, a longtime friend of Cooper’s, recalled being asked to share something people might not know about the actor—and nearly mentioning the persistent rumors.

“Everybody thinks that Bradley’s had plastic surgery,” Arnett explained. “Everybody keeps saying that. I’m like, ‘What people don’t know is that he hasn’t.’ Right?”

Jason Bateman quickly echoed the point—“That he hasn’t”—which Arnett emphatically confirmed.

Cooper, now 51, acknowledged that the speculation has followed him closely, especially in recent weeks.

“No, I get people [coming] up to me the last couple of weeks. They’re like, ‘Oh, you look good! Yeah. Yeah, but it’s a crazy—,” he said.

Arnett admitted the rumors frustrate him, particularly because of how confidently people repeat them.

“It did make me think… It made me mad because people say that all the time, and it’s a hilarious thing,” he said. “Everybody thinks that they know. You know you read that bullsh-t stuff.”

The renewed scrutiny began in October after Cooper appeared in press clips for Is This Thing On?, including a short E! News video that quickly spread online. Viewers pointed to his smooth skin and sharper facial features, with some comparing his look to Barry Manilow or Cillian Murphy.

The speculation gained further traction after cosmetic surgeon Gerard Lambe—who has never treated Cooper—shared his professional opinion with the Daily Mail, suggesting the changes could be explained by subtle cosmetic procedures. Lambe speculated about possible jawline tightening, a lower facelift involving the SMAS layer, or minor work around the eyes.

While rumors about Cooper’s appearance have circulated for years, the SmartLess episode marked the first time he directly addressed plastic surgery claims.

He has previously spoken publicly about changes to his look, most notably defending his use of a prosthetic nose while portraying Leonard Bernstein in Maestro. Speaking on CBS Sunday Morning in November 2023, Cooper said the decision was rooted in authenticity.

“The truth is, I’ve done this whole project out of love,” he said. “And it’s so clear to me where I come from—my nose is very similar to Lenny’s, actually. The prosthetic is actually like a silk sheet.”

He added that the prosthetic was about balance, not exaggeration.

“It’s all about balance, and, you know, my lips are nothing like Lenny’s, and my chin,” he said. “And so we had that, and it just didn’t look right. We just had to do it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t believe he’s a human being.”

Cooper is currently promoting Is This Thing On?, his latest directorial project, which stars Arnett and Laura Dern as a married couple navigating divorce, co-parenting, and whether love can evolve into something new.

Outside of work, Cooper has also made headlines for his relationship with Gigi Hadid. The two were recently spotted attending a matinee performance of Waiting for Godot on Broadway, posing for a rare couple photo alongside the cast, including Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter.