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There’s the natural aging process, and then there’s plastic surgery — and many people believe they can spot the difference. In late 2025, Bradley Cooper stepped out in front of cameras looking different. The 51-year-old actor‘s face appeared both older and tighter, with the skin around his eyes giving him a look that some compared to his portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in 2023’s Maestro.

Now, Cooper is finally addressing the plastic surgery rumors that began in late 2025. Fans (and plastic surgeons) have a lot to say.

Did Bradley Cooper get a blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is extremely popular among celebrities, both male and female. Removing or repositioning excess skin, fat, and muscle from the upper or lower eyelids can help stars maintain a youthful, alert, and refreshed appearance, reports Ridenour Plastic Surgery. Entertainers face mounting pressure to look youthful and relevant to maintain their careers. The subtle tweaks of a blepharoplasty can help them look more awake and refreshed for years to come.

Some celebs’ eyelid surgeries go unnoticed by the public; they simply look like they’ve lost weight or had a restful vacation. Cooper, if he has had this procedure, is not one of them.

Cooper faced widespread plastic surgery allegations in the fall of 2025, when photos of him at media events for Is This Thing On? sparked viral speculation on social media about possible cosmetic procedures. Those rumors intensified online throughout late 2025, leading up to his first direct response to the rumors on the SmartLess podcast, hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett.

On January 5, 2026, Cooper denied having undergone plastic surgery. Arnett addressed the gossip head-on: “We keep reading everybody thinks that Bradley’s had plastic surgery. Everybody keeps saying that. I’m like, ‘What people don’t know is that he hasn’t.’ Right? … Of course, he hasn’t.”

Cooper jumped in, quickly responding, “No, I get people [coming] up to me the last couple weeks. They’re like, ‘Oh, you look good! Yeah. Yeah, but it’s a crazy — .”

Arnett interjected, saying, “It made me mad because people say that all the time, and it’s a hilarious thing. Everybody thinks that they know. You know you read that bulls— stuff.”

In the moment, Cooper didn’t have much of a chance to expound on the rumors as Arnett jumped in before he could continue. Fans on Reddit weren’t buying the claim. One user wrote, “Ok Bradley, tell that to your eyelids.” Another commented, “TLDR: Will Arnett said Cooper didn’t get plastic surgery and Cooper, sporting an entirely different face, agreed.” Another posted the well-known “Sure, Jan” Brady Bunch meme.

A plastic surgeon weighs in on Bradley Cooper’s possible procedures

Dr. Steven Wallach, a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in NYC for over 25 years, took to TikTok to speculate about Cooper.

He explained, “A trick that a lot of patients often do is change their hairstyle when they have plastic surgery procedures.” This way, according to Dr. Wallach, people notice there’s something different about them but think it’s a hair change. “But there’s clearly something [else] different” about Cooper, he states.

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In the video, Dr. Wallach presents several photos of Cooper from his early career, pointing out the Hangover star’s thinner face and naturally hooded eyes, especially in the “lateral third of his eyes.” Looking at recent photos, the surgeon stated that Cooper’s cheeks “look fuller.” “He looks like he hollowed out his eyes a little bit,” the doctor continued. “He probably had an upper lid blepharoplasty; he may have had a facelift.”

After reviewing how Cooper’s jawline has become more rounded, Dr. Wallach returned to the eyes. “I think he may have had his eyes overdone,” he stated. “And guys, when you do their eyes, conservative blepharoplasty, conservation blepharoplasty is the key.”

Whether Cooper’s changing appearance is the result of natural aging, subtle cosmetic work, or simply the harsh spotlight of fame remains up for debate. What’s clear is that when it comes to celebrity faces, public opinion often speaks louder than denials.

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