Bradley Cooper shared his struggles with feeling “miserable” while living in Los Angeles during his mid-20s. In a conversation on a recent show, he expressed that the city, unlike New York, lacked a sense of community. He described LA’s layout as “compartmentalized,” which made him feel isolated, even amid the city’s constant hustle.
Reflecting on his time in California, Cooper noted that he felt “very depressed” after moving there. He compared his initial excitement about landing a significant role to a return to high school, where he experienced a sense of disconnection instead of the joy he had felt while attending graduate school in New York City. He remarked, “Then I got this job that I thought was going to be the holy grail, and I’m miserable.”
Cooper elaborated that life in LA, for him, felt more like a physical location rather than a vibrant community. He contrasted it to his New York experiences, mentioning how in NYC, going to a bar with friends created an immediate sense of belonging. In LA, he felt he spent his time alone or confined to his car.
Now at 51, Cooper moved to Los Angeles to star in “Alias.” He recalled feeling lonely while still being aware of the city’s activities through promotional materials everywhere, which only intensified his isolation.
“LA made me feel like I was either at home or in my car. That was pretty much it,” he said. He found it jarring that while others seemed to be enjoying the vibrant nightlife, he felt like an outsider. This disconnect reminded him of his school days, longing to have fun, yet feeling out of place. As he noted, “somewhere in this town right now, someone’s having a ball, and it’s not me.” Even with career success and financial stability, he questioned why he wasn’t finding happiness, reflecting on how he struggled to connect in social settings, noting, “I’m 25 years old, and this is supposed to be happy.”
