Hollywood star Bradley Cooper birthday special: From 'A Star Is Born' to 'The Hangover', five of his must-watch films

Today marks the birthday of Hollywood hunk Bradley Cooper. The actor made his movie splash in the 2001 movie 'Wet Hot American Summer'. Post his debut, he acted in a series of good films and has enjoyed a glorious career spanning over 2 decades now. During this tenure he has acted in a wide variety of films and genres spanning comedy and action. Along the way, he has charmed audiences with his dapper looks and immensely nuanced screen presence.

As the nine-time Academy Award-nominated actor rings in his 48th year, he boasts a huge repertoire of films that have become commercial successes, with some even garnering classic status among fans. Let us take a look at some of the actor's films that you would enjoy watching any time of any day.

American Hustle: This 2013 crime-drama film gave Cooper the second of his nine Oscar nominations. His role as the FBI agent Richie DiMaso who goes rogue showcases how versatile he is, effortlessly choosing his roles without falling into a typecast.

Nightmare Alley: This Guillermo Del Torro film which was released in 2021 features Bradley in the role of a manipulative carny. The actor shared a brilliant screen presence with his co-actor Cate Blanchett as well as a host of other talents including David Strathairn, Willem Dafoe and Richard Jenkins in this noir thriller.

Licorice Pizza: Even though Bradley doesn't have the lead role in this film, he effortlessly steals the show in the small screen time stipulated to him in this Paul Thomas Anderson-helmed coming-of-age film. In the role of Jon Peters, the ex-boyfriend of legendary singer Barbra Streisand, the 48-year-old actor showed his acting finesse.

The Hangover series: The "Who brought this guy?" sequence of the film iconically proves why Bradley is a force in Hollywood to reckon with. Along with co-actors Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis, he created a riot on the silver screen in his role as Phil. He effortlessly proved his worth as a sensation in the American film industry with his stint in this comedy flick. This is one of his most recognisable roles and established him as a dishy actor.

A Star Is Born: This 2018 musical drama film is easily one of Bradley's most intense and dynamic performances. His chemistry with music icon Lady Ga Ga also made this film thoroughly enjoyable.

The film marked his debut as a singer too. In fact, his duet with co-star Lady Gaga, 'Shallow', earned him two Grammy Awards as well. In the role of the alcoholic Jack, Bradley's expressions and dedication to the role were truly palpable and moving. What made this film work among romantics and cynics out there was the vulnerable way in which Cooper played this iconic role. The songs from this film are also legendary making him a favourite among the ladies.