Last night at the 2024 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Bradley Cooper accepted the outstanding performer of the year award from his amazing co-star Carey Mulligan and fellow Brad (Pitt), at the Arlington Theater in SB. He was presented this award for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in MAESTRO from Netflix. MAESTRO is a towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: (L-R) Honoree Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, and Brad Pitt pose with the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award during the 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 08, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)
While on the red carpet, Bradley Cooper shared a little gem about the time he appeared on Sex and the City in 1999. “I auditioned for it [Sex and the City]. At that time, I didn’t even realize you could get the job. I remember when I got the call to do it, I was terrified. What do you mean I have to do it?” For your reference, Cooper guest-starred as Jake in episode 4 in season 2, titled, “They Shoot Single People Don’t They?” BTW, it was his first on-screen role!
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: Brad Pitt (R) presents Bradley Cooper with the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 08, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for SBIFF)
And Pitt couldn’t help but joke about his close buddy, “The first time I saw Bradley, I said to myself, one day I’m going to milk this guy for a free trip to Santa Barbara. I want to note for the record, I was this close to getting A Star is Born, but in the end the director went with Bradley.”
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: Carey Mulligan speaks onstage at the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award ceremony during the 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 08, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)
When coming onstage to speak about Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan said: “This is so nice, I am just having the loveliest evening. It makes me want to watch all of your films again.”
Past recipients of the award include Cate Blanchett, Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Sacha Baron Cohen, Adam Driver, Rami Malek, Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, and more. You can learn more about the Santa Barbara International Film Festival by clicking here.
