January 10

'Silver' Fox

Cooper tackles the role of high school teacher Pat Solitano, who attempts to get his life back on track after a stay at a mental institution, in Silver Linings Playbook, which costars Jennifer Lawrence. "It scared me, I didn't know if I could be that vulnerable on film," the actor tells The Telegraph of first reading the script. "I just took a leap of faith with [director David O. Russell] and we did it." The part earns Cooper Golden Globe, SAG and Oscar nominations.