Bradley Cooper and Renée Zellweger's Relationship Timeline: A Look Back

While some Hollywood couples can't seem to keep their hands off of each other, others favor privacy. In fact, Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actor Bradley Cooper and two-time Oscar-winning actress Renée Zellweger were so low-key during their two-year relationship that you probably forgot they even dated. Still, that doesn't mean they weren't as committed as ever. 

After co-starring as best friends Emily and Doug in Case 39, the actors turned their on-screen chemistry into an off-screen romance in 2009 — although never officially — before parting ways in 2011. Interestingly, while most couples peak during their relationship, this duo seemed to do so a decade after their breakup. 

Upon reuniting at the 2020 Oscars, the supportive exes pulled at our heartstrings when they settled into their seats ahead of the award show. Honestly, it looked like no time had passed between them at all. Feeling nostalgic? Us too.

Here's a look back at Bradley Cooper and Renée Zellweger's relationship.

2006: Bradley Cooper and Renée Zellweger meet on the set of Case 39

Cooper and Zellweger first met while filming the supernatural thriller Case 39 in 2006. The movie didn't come out until three years later — shortly after Cooper's breakout success from The Hangover. Presumably, the pair reconnected while making the press rounds and began dating during Cooper's come-up.

2009: Bradley Cooper and Renée Zellweger are first spotted together

Despite never admitting to being in a relationship, the actors were snapped by the paparazzi doing couple-y things all the time. In January 2010, People reported Cooper and Zellweger were looking at his Los Angeles home after being spotted in November 2009 checking out the house. That's not all. The pair also spent the holidays together with Cooper's family, and Zellweger and Cooper's mom, Gloria, hung out at events and went shopping together, per People. 

The Bridget Jones star even reportedly skipped the 2011 Golden Globes to be with Cooper and his family in Pennsylvania following his father's death. However, when pressed about dating Zellweger in 2010, Cooper told Details magazine, "I just can't."

Though the two remained relatively mum when it came to sharing details about their relationship, it didn't stop engagement rumors from circulating online -- to which their reps told People exclusively in 2010 that Cooper and Zellweger were not engaged to be married. Cooper and Zellweger also broke their silence about each other while while promoting Case 39 in late 2010. 

"He’s a great actor, great actor," she told Entertainment Tonight at the time about her former co-star. "I just got so excited, not believing that I was going to go to work with him."

Cooper echoed Zellweger's professional sentiments, telling the outlet, "I can't say enough about her. I just love her. I [loved] coming to work," before adding, "I love acting with her. I can learn so much from her." 

March 2011: Bradley Cooper and Renée Zellweger break up

In March 2011, the pair reportedly called it quits on their two-year relationship. Without publicly acknowledging their romance, a breakup statement wasn't required. However, according to sources, Cooper's career ambitions led to their split.

"If I had to pick any possible mistress, it would be Brad's career," a source told Us Weekly at the time. "He worked really hard to get into leading man status. Renée had to take a backseat." 

The source added, "She's accomplished a lot of her professional goals, so Renée took some time out to be a great girlfriend and see if this is what it took to make a relationship work."