Bradley Cooper reveals his acting method for role in ‘American Sniper’: “It was just easier, it was actually less energy”

Over the years, numerous actors have discussed the merits of staying in character on set throughout filming. A technique Daniel Day-Lewis, widely regarded as one of the greatest ever actors, famously used while shooting 2012 movie “Lincoln,” for which he won a Best Actor Oscar.

In an interview on the Howard Stern Show, though, Bradley Cooper, who has been nominated for that same award on four occasions, debunked a popular myth that he also deployed method acting while shooting “American Sniper,” in which he played late United States Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle.

How to “freak out” Bradley Cooper

Despite citing Day-Lewis as his “favorite actor of all time,” Cooper insists fully staying in character is one rehearsal technique he can’t get his head around.

[embedded content]

“I never understood the logic of that to be honest with you. I think, how much energy I would be expending if I was my character in a period or whenever… if I saw a cell phone, I would freak out?

“If you’re really gonna be the character, and I saw cameras and shit, like what the hell’s happening? I’d need a therapist or something, or go to an insane asylum.”

“American Sniper” star reveals rehearsal technique

Philadelphia native Cooper revealed he, like “American Hustle” co-star Christian Bale, adopts what you might call a ‘halfway’ approach, which came in handy while playing Kyle, who hails from Texas, in “American Sniper”.

“Christian Bale is Welsh. He’s got his own accent, he’s reading it [the script for “American Hustle”], he breaks into this guy Irving Rosenfeld, a Jewish guy from Long Island, or the Bronx, I think. He was in and out.

“The next day, he shaves his head, he’s gained all this weight already. And then the next day, all of a sudden he’s just talking like Irving Rosenfeld. And he talked like Irving Rosenfeld for the rest of the movie, until the day we wrapped.

“But I asked him about his kids, we’d talk about the shots. I’d call him Christian. It’s not like I had to call him Irving.”

Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale’s “easier” acting method

For Cooper, and presumably Bale, perfecting the accent, when different to their own, is the key to a convincing performance.

“It was the accent. And that’s what I did with Chris. It was easier. It was actually less energy if I just talked like Chris the whole time.”

So if you’ve ever wondered how (most) actors are so skilled at switching from one accent to another between roles, getting plenty of practice might well have a lot to do with it.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.