Bradley Cooper Gushes That Fatherhood Changed Him in ‘Every Way’: ‘It Allowed Me to Embrace My Childlike Self’

He is one of the biggest box office draws on the planet, but for Bradley Cooper, one thing that has really changed his life is being a dad.

“I think, like, every way. It allowed me to embrace my childlike self without any sort of fear of judgment,” the 44-year-old said of how fatherhood changed him during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Thursday, April 25. “I can just play with toys all day long … or watch cartoons endlessly and not think I’m wasting my life. I love cartoons,” he admitted.

The actor shares his daughter Lea, 2, with model Irina Shayk. The Hangover star also revealed that he doesn’t have a problem with his child now being at that stage where tantrums come often. “I don’t subscribe to [the terrible twos],” he told Ellen DeGeneres. “I don’t even know what that means.”

The Alias alum may have fame and wealth, but the father-of-one still finds himself being concerned over his daughter’s future. “You think [about] what she’s got to look forward to and also the burden of life,” he told the host, 61. “It’s a lot. The innocence is beautiful to see.”

Irina, 33, and the Guardians of the Galaxy costar have been together since 2015. And while the pair don’t publicity talk about their relationship often, Bradley did once thank the mother of his child during an acceptance speech.

“I need to thank Irina for putting up with me while I was trying to make music in our basement for a year,” Bradley said while accepting the Best Original Music award for A Star Is Born at the 2019 BAFTAs in London on February 10. We’re sure Irina has nothing but kind words to say about her man, but don’t expect her to reveal much to the media.

“Because my work requires me to be out there, I just decided my personal life will be quiet,” the Russian beauty once told Glamour UK. “That’s why it’s called personal, because it’s something for you and your family and I feel happy with it.”