Bradley Cooper’s Portrayal of Jewish Legend Leonard Bernstein Sparks Debate Over Prosthetics and Representation in Hollywood

Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper is facing backlash for his portrayal of Jewish legend Leonard Bernstein in the upcoming biopic “Maestro.” Cooper, who is not Jewish, has been criticized for using a prosthetic nose to portray Bernstein, with some calling it “Jewface.”

The biographical romance tells the story of Bernstein, who famously co-created “West Side Story,” with a focus on the composer’s 25-year marriage to Felicia Montealegre. After Netflix dropped the trailer for the film on Tuesday, advocates and social media users were quick to notice the change in Cooper’s appearance, with some branding his apparent use of a prosthetic nose as antisemitic.

Despite the criticism, Bernstein’s children have come to Cooper’s defense, saying that they are “grateful” for his portrayal of their father. Jewish comedian Sarah Silverman also weighed in, noting the “long tradition of non-Jews playing Jews,” but ultimately joining the defense of Cooper’s portrayal.

The debate over Cooper’s portrayal of Bernstein is part of a larger conversation about the use of prosthetics and makeup to portray characters of different races and ethnicities. While some argue that it is a necessary tool to accurately portray characters, others argue that it is a form of cultural appropriation and should be avoided.

Regardless of the outcome of the debate, Cooper’s portrayal of Bernstein is sure to spark a conversation about representation in Hollywood and the use of prosthetics in film.