Bradley Cooper has been voted one of the most attractive movie stars today but in his next project, Cooper is exploring the life of a man who was famous for quite a different reason.
In the Broadway revival of The Elephant Man, Cooper brings to life the true story of a man who had physical deformities all over his body.
"Based on the real life of Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man tells the story of a 19th-century British man who became a star of the traveling freak show circuit. When the renowned Dr. Treves takes Merrick under his care, he is astonished by the man’s brilliant intelligence, unshakable faith and, most of all, his resounding desire for love and understanding," the Broadway play's website describes.
Cooper is no stranger to the story considering the 1980 film starring John Hurt helped inspire Cooper to want to become an actor. Cooper also studied the play written by Bernard Pomerance extensively as part of his drama school master's thesis.
"I remember being here in grad school doing it for my thesis, and Billy Crudup was doing it," Cooper said in an interview with TWC News. "I never got the opportunity to see it, but I remember thinking, 'Oh wow, I would love to do that play. That'll never happen.' And then 14 years later, you know, then, we're doing it."
The Elephant Man starring Cooper begins previews at the Booth Theatre in New York on November 7 and officially opens December 7.
image courtesy of Peter West/ACE/INFphoto.com