When Bradley Cooper arrived to the Arlington Theatre to receive the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s (SBIFF) Outstanding Performer of the Year Award, the air seemed crackle with a different frequency. Known for his work as an actor, director, writer, producer, the residents of Santa Barbara seemed to know that there was someone special in their midst. Cooper revealed to Temple of Geek, along with others on the press line at SBIFF, that the character he’d most like to switch characters with was Rocket Raccoon. Inside the theater, he received cheers when he told Deadline’s Pete Hammond that he would do both fourth GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY and THE HANGOVER movie “in a heartbeat.”

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Cooper was quick to praise working with GUARDIANS director James Gunn, and likened his sessions where he provides the voice to beloved mCU character to doing a play. He shared how excited he was to GUARDIAN OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, which delved more into Rocket’s character and background.

SBIFF PROVIDES A RETROSPECTIVE ON BRADLEY COOPER’S CAREER

Hammond, who moderated the event, took Cooper and the two thousand attendees through a retrospective of the mega-star’s career, covering everything from his first co-star role on “Sex and the City” all the way through his most recent move “Maestro.” An actor who has achieved the increasingly elusive status of movie star was refreshingly honest and humble when looking back on his twenty-five year career so far. He was genuinely self-effacing and eager to share credit, if not give it away completely, to his collaborators when Hammond would praise him about his work.

Despite the fact that Cooper is now a twelve-time Oscar nominee, he was open to admitting to fear as he talked through titles that included SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, AMERICAN SNIPER, and his directional debut A STAR IS BORN. His willingness to share when he would second guess his choices on a project, or when he was intimidated working alongside cinematic legends like Clint Eastwood or Robert De Niro, created a connection and intimacy that could be felt in the entire theater.

BRAD PITT AND CAREY MULLIGAN PRESENTED COOPER WITH AWARD

Cooper’s “Maestro” co-star Carey Mulligan was also in attendance to honor him. “This is so nice, I am just having the loveliest evening. It makes me want to watch all of your films again,” she said to opened her heartfelt speech about her collaboration and bond with Cooper. Mulligan then continued, “What might be too easily taken for granted is your innate gift as an actor. I don’t think acting is a 10,000 hour skill. I don’t think you can prep or practice, that’s something else.”

WATCH TEMPLE OF GEEK’S INTERVIEW WITH CAREY MULLIGAN

Brad Pitt, Cooper’s friend, presented the award to him at the end of the night. He had the crowd laughing hysterically when he made a dig at Cooper regarding his support of NFL team the Philadelphia Eagles. Pitt kept the crowd giggling amongst his sincere and insightful thoughts about Cooper when he joked, “”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.”

Cooper remained gracious and authentic when accepting the award, speaking from the heart when he said:

“People made movies, I watched them, they changed me, inspired me, kept me alive. Now that I get to do these things, the thing I benefit from is the doing. Seeing these projects that I’ve been a part of, these memories, magical made up stories, it’s such a privilege. In life, I’ve been so privileged, so blessed.”

All in all, it was clear that the evening in Santa Barbara would not only be a memorable one for Cooper, but for all of those who attended.