Longtime radio hostHoward Sternhas a long list of accomplishments to his name. Beyond runningThe Howard Stern Show, his signature broadcast which has aired since 1986 between terrestrial radio and eventually SiriusXM satellite radio, he’s also written multiple books, had a brief stint as a judge onAmerica’s Got Talent, and dabbled in television. As an actor, however, his experience is limited outside ofPrivate Parts, the 1997 biographical comedy adaptation of his book of the same name in which he starred as himself. In an interview withBradley Cooperon his show this morning, however, Stern revealed that he was in line for a major role in the actor/director’s 2018 hitA Star Is Born.
Stern wasoriginally planned to play a much different version of Bobby Maine, the older brother to Cooper’s troubled country singer Jack Maine. Although he was initially committed to appearing in the film, he ultimately declined the opportunity, paving the way for the version tailor-made forSam Elliottthat would earn an Oscar nomination forthe beloved character actor. The few people that knew of Stern’s decision were stunned, as he told Cooper “And they look at me like, ‘what the f—?! You didn’t do it?'” Cooper confirmed, adding “This was early – early things swimming in my head when I offered it to you.”
Needless to say, the infamous radio host would’ve offered a far different angle thanthe gruff frequent Western actor, but Stern reaffirmed he was fully on board. “I said I’m going to go full-on into it,” he continued. “I’m gonna shave my head, I’m gonna change my whole look.” Likewise, Cooper said ittook Stern around three weeks to finally make his decision on the role. “You really contemplated this… When we started talking about you shaving your head, that was very exciting.” Stern even joked that he would’ve won Cooper an Oscar, though he admitted he was “just nervous about maybe making a fool out of myself.”
‘A Star Is Born’ Put Together a Brilliant Cast
In the end, Cooper’s take onthe much-adapted storyofstardom and heartbreakdid just fine without Stern,earning eight Oscar nominations with one win for Best Original Song. The film follows the blossoming love between Jackson “Jack” Maine and the struggling musician Ally (Lady Gaga) whom he helps get a leg up in the industry. As her career blossoms, he continues to spiral into a war with his internal demons, damaging everyone around him. Cooper, Gaga, and Elliott ledA Star Is Born’s starry cast alongsideRafi Gavron,Andrew Dice Clay,Anthony Ramos,Dave Chappelle,Drena De Niro, andGreg Grunberg.
Cooper left the door open for a possible future team-up with “The King of All Media,” but it will have to wait for the time being, as the star is currently out promotingMaestro. His latest directorial effort sees him playing famed composerLeonard Bernsteinand specificallytracks the course of his marriage withFelicia Montealegre(Carey Mulligan). The film is currently enjoying a limited run in theaters and will arrive on Netflix on December 20. Readour review herefor everything you need to know about the biopic.
A Star is Born
A musician helps a young singer find fame as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral.
