Ryan Cooper

LVR catches up with the hot new actor in New York.

Born in Papua New Guinea to an Australian missionary family, Cooper had a humble childhood. He was a carpenter for 6 years before he broke into modeling. He got scouted in the streets and stared in a DNKY Jeans campaign with Bahati Prinsloo. From there, his career as a model took off.
He recently has transitioned into acting. His latest role: the summer comedy Rough Night, where he takes center stage with Scarlett Johansson, Kate McKinnon, Zoe Kravitz, Jillian Bell and Illana Glazer. He plays a hunky stripper that best friends hire for Johansson’s bachelorette party.

Tell us about your background:
I was born in Papua New Guinea, which is essentially a third world country, my parents were missionaries. We grew up with dirt floors and not a lot, which is cool. It’s a big contrast from what you see from New York in a lot of ways.
How has living in New York had an effect on you?
New York has taught me to continue to believe in myself, that if I really do want to apply myself I can succeed. If you work hard you can make dreams happen.

Where do you get strength from?
My strength comes from the fundamentals of my upbringing. Of loving people, of doing the right thing by people. My parents really instilled that in me.
What are you focusing on: Modeling or Acting?
Modeling has been such a great tool for me. It has allowed me to travel, and to build a brand, I love it. I think its fantastic. But now, my main focus is on acting.
How did you get into acting?
I arrived in New York in 2001 as a model. The opportunity to get into theater and film arose, and I took it!

Tell us about you broke into acting?
I started off on MTV with Victoria Justice. Now with Rough Night Scarlett Johansson, Kate McKinnon, Zoe Kravitz, Jillian Bell and Illana Glazer, I have to pinch myself sometimes.
Describe the preparation for character in Rough Night.
In this movie I play a stripper. Who meets his end. To get into character, I took hip hop lessons and practiced dancing for my wife, which was fun. I had to play a lot of stillness as well. I did a lot of meditation and breathing to be calm, so I could be around and to be handled by the girls as the story continues.

How do you get into character?
Getting into character is mind, body, and speech. My relationship to my body as the character unfolds, is what is this character like.
How do you stay in such great shape? You have any secrets?
I would just say, train as hard as you can, you push your body to its limits, to a healthy limit. Eat really good nutrient dense foods.
Tell us about your fashion style.
I was a carpenter for 6 years and I had no fashion sense at all. My sense of fashion is all about comfort.

4 Questions with Ryan Cooper (in 15 Seconds)

Carbs or Protein?
Protein, but I would prefer to eat carbs.
Sweet or Savory?
Sweet… I love sweets!
Mountains or Seaside?
Definitely the sea. I enjoy the beach very much.
Longterm Relationship or One Night Stand
I guess I would have to say long term relationship since I’ve been married for ten years. But I like having a one night stand with my wife from time to time.