Brad Pitt Credits Bradley Cooper With Helping Him Get Sober: 'Every Day's Been Happier Since'

Brad Pitt just made a surprising and heartfelt admission about his journey to sobriety.

During the National Board of Review annual awards gala in New York City on Wednesday night, Bradley Cooper presented the 56-year-old with the Best Supporting Actor distinction for his work in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.

Upon receiving the high honor for portraying a loyal stuntman named Cliff Booth in the Quentin Tarantino-directed film, Pitt used the moment to praise his fellow A-lister for being a great friend to him through some of the darkest moments of his life.

Brad made it clear from the very beginning that he was grateful to receive the award from the Hangover star, who apparently juggled daddy duty with his two-year-old daughter, Lea De Seine, to be present at the event:

“Thank you, Bradley. Bradley just put his daughter to bed and rushed over here to do this. He’s a sweetheart.”

Then he explained how Cooper played a key role in changing his unhealthy relationship with alcohol:

“I got sober because of this guy and every day has been happier ever since. I love you and I thank you.”

Aww. We’re not crying, you’re crying…

This is especially touching to hear considering the 45-year-old star was in a similar situation throughout his twenties and we’re glad these two could find common ground with each other. You can catch a snippet of the sweet speech (below):

Brad Pitt accepts the Best Supporting Actor Award for ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD from Bradley Cooper at #NationalBoardOfReview #NBR pic.twitter.com/HS6mUVOWSD

— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) January 9, 2020

Of course, our readers know, this isn’t the first time the Ad Astra actor has been vocal about his past struggles to maintain sobriety as it was a major source of contention during his split 2016 from Angelina Jolie.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie began their 11 year relationship after playing a married couple in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. / (c) Anthony Dixon/WENN

In a New York Times profile published last September, the father of six detailed how being part of an Alcoholics Anonymous recovery group also helped him kick the dangerous habit:

“I had taken things as far as I could take it, so I removed my drinking privileges. You had all these men sitting around being open and honest in a way I have never heard. It was this safe space where there was little judgment, and therefore little judgment of yourself. It was actually really freeing just to expose the ugly sides of yourself. There’s great value in that.”

Since then, the Fight Club alum has worked hard at putting those dark days behind him. In conversation with Anthony Hopkins for Interview Magazine last year, Jennifer Aniston‘s ex explained:

“I’m realizing, as a real act of forgiveness for myself for all the choices that I’ve made that I’m not proud of, that I value those missteps, because they led to some wisdom, which led to something else. You can’t have one without the other. I see it as something I’m just now getting my arms around at this time in my life. But I certainly don’t feel like I can take credit for any of it.”

We applaud all of the work you’ve done on yourself thus far, dude! We’re always rooting for you.

[Image via Nicky Nelson/Instar/WENN]