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(CNN) —
Bradley Cooper shared his history of drug and alcohol use in the past.
And he revealed who helped him through some of the toughest times.
The actor recounted that when he felt lost and faced addiction early in his career, it was his colleague Will Arnett who helped him get back on his feet.
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Cooper was on the "Smartless" podcast this week, which Arnett hosts alongside Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes, and talked about the time he shared an apartment with Arnett years ago.
Cooper said that he lacked confidence and that he used to imitate Arnett's type of humor while he socialized.
But that didn't always work out well.
"Will was like, 'Hey, do you remember dinner the other night? How do you think it was?'" Cooper recounted.
"I remember being at dinner thinking I was hilarious, and thinking that these two guys who were my heroes thought I was hilarious. I was like, 'I think it turned out good, I thought I was great.' And Will Arnett told me : 'You were a real idiot, man. You were a real idiot,'" he added.
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Arnett also told her to take her dogs out to go potty.
Bradley Cooper was on the "Smartless" podcast this week and shared some of his story about his alcohol and drug addiction.
(Credit: Theo Wargo/WireImage)
And then Cooper noted, "That was the first time I realized I had a problem with drugs and alcohol. The guy I think does cruel humor is telling me the truth and it changed my whole life."
"I was so lost and addicted to cocaine. Will risked having that difficult conversation with me in July 2004 and it put me on the path of deciding to change my life. It really was Will Arnett. He is the reason," he continued. Bradley Cooper.
Through therapy and becoming a father to his daughter, Lea, whom he had with ex-girlfriend Irina Shayk, the actor said he has stayed sober.
"Everything changed," he said.
"Every single thing is completely nuanced or highlighted in great colors by the fact that I'm the father of a wonderful human being. It's just the best," Bradley Cooper added.
For his part, Arnett said it has been a pleasure to see his friend living in recovery.
"It's been amazing to see you in this place and to see you comfortable, nothing has made me happier," Arnett said.
"It made me happy to see you so happy with who you are."
Bradley Cooper
