Bradley Cooper accused of ‘Jewface’ over fake nose in upcoming movie

Actor Bradley Cooper is facing backlash for his appearance while portraying famed composer Leonard Bernstein in an upcoming Netflix movie, “Maestro.”

Cooper is the director and a co-writer for the movie, which had a trailer drop Tuesday. In response to the trailer, which showed Cooper sporting a prominent fake nose, social media users said his look in the movie perpetuates antisemitic stereotypes and called it “Jewface.” 

“Hollywood cast Bradley Cooper – a non Jew – to play Jewish legend Leonard Bernstein and stuck a disgusting exaggerated ‘Jew nose’ on him,” StopAntisemitism, an organization that works to combat antisemitism said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “All while saying no to Jake Gyllenhaal, an actually Jewish man, who has dreamt of playing Bernstein for decades. Sickening.”

Members of Bernstein’s family released a statement in support of Cooper. In the statement, they said Cooper gave “profound respect” and “love” in his work on the film and “included the three of us along every step of his amazing journey as he made his film about our father.”

“We feel so fortunate to have had this experience with Bradley, and we can’t wait for the world to see his creation,” the family said in the statement.