Bradley Cooper Wanted Howard Stern to Shave His Head and Play His Brother inA Star Is Born

Mar. 15, 2025

Bradley Cooper (left) and Howard Stern in 2023.Photo:Nina Westervelt/WWD via Getty; Mike Coppola/Getty

Nina Westervelt/WWD via Getty; Mike Coppola/Getty

Howard Sternalmost had a part inA Star Is Born, according to director-starBradley Cooper.

“Did we ever talk about how I asked you to doStar Is Born?” asked Cooper of his longtimefriendon anepisode ofThe Howard Stern Showposted Monday.

“I’ve never told anyone because I felt bad for the guy who got the role,” Stern said, referring toSam Elliott, who the host also called “fantastic.”

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in “A Star is Born”.Clay Enos/Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett

Clay Enos/Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett

On his show, the radio personality recalled thinking, “‘Whoa, he must think I’m a lot better looking… They’re gonna be like, ‘What the f—, what is it, this movie gonna be likeTwins?’ I’mDanny DeVitoand he’sArnold Schwarzeneggeror something? What the hell’s going on here?"

Stern continued, “I said, ‘I’m gonna go full-on into it. I’m gonna shave my head, I’m gonna change my whole look.’ I was really toying with the idea."

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Howard Stern in 2012.Bill Norton, Creative Commons

Cooper says Stern’s willingness to alter his physical appearance for the role “very exciting” as him as a director. “You said, ‘Give me a couple weeks,’ " he remembered. “It wasn’t like you said no right away… You really contemplated this.”

Stern also joked that his performance would have been award-worthy. “It would have been awesome, me at the Oscars,” he added. “Can you imagine? Maybe we’ll do it one day!”

Cooper responded, “I think it’s gonna happen. I just have to figure out the right thing so that you’ll say yes.”

Stern last appeared in a film in 2012 with an uncredited roleinMen in Black 3. He made his on-camera debut in the 1986 filmRyder, P.I.and played himself in 1997’sPrivate Parts.

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in “A Star is Born”.Warner Bros./courtesy Everett

Warner Bros./courtesy Everett

The Oscar nominee also starred inDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among ThievesandGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3this year.

Maestroopens in select theaters now and begins streaming on Netflix Dec. 20.

source: people.com