Bradley Cooper undergoes an unusual transformation for his Elephant Man role
Taking on challenging roles means undergoing the most amazing transformations, some of it is going to be ugly and that's what Bradley Cooper did for the revival of The Elephant Man.
2011's Sexiest Man Alive brings ugly to a whole new level as he underwent an amazing transformation for his role in the Broadway revival of The Elephant Man. PoughKeepsieJournal sees his transformations as something of "physical hideousness, incapacitating deformities and unremitting pain".
After the transformation, Cooper is left if a crooked left hand, a weak and limp left foot, an awkward looking torso and a mouth twisted as if he had just survived a terrible episode of stroke. His voice is also affected as it turned out into one with labored breathing and a wet lisp. The overall picture makes one wonder on why the actor who is known for his incredible good looks would choose such an ugly role.
It would seem that Cooper isn't caring about a handsome role but is now thinking of spreading his wings and focus more on his acting skills found in the role of John Merrick, the deformed man from Bernard Pomerance's theatrical masterpiece. Despite what seems to be a bad gamble, it ended up opening doors for the actor as reviews are saying that he does the role quite brilliantly. It goes to show that not all actors have to be handsome on the outside all the time to impress people.
Pomerance's The Elephant Man revolves around the life of Merrick where it highlights the very essence of the human spirit as the character seeks solace under the roof of a London hospital after running away from his life as a carnival attraction. In a twist of fate and good luck, he becomes successful even becoming a confidante of several respected people from statesmen to members of the royal family.
The Elephant Man's production opened last December 7, 2014.