Bradley Cooper’s Goofy Dance For His Daughter Deserves an Oscar

Bradley Cooper may not have snagged a Best Picture win this year, but we think there’s a more fitting award for him: World’s Goofiest Dad. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show last night, Cooper opened up about fatherhood, the terrible twos and the “goofy” dance that makes his daughter laugh. Needless to say, our hearts are melting.

Cooper isn’t known for revealing too much about his private life — a fact that may have allowed those Lady Gaga rumors to stick around for longer than they should have. But Ellen DeGederes is known for breaking through to her guests’ soft side, and Cooper was no different. When asked about his role in Guardians of the Galaxy, Cooper shared the story of taking his daughter to the film’s ride at Disneyland. “We got to sit going to the intro of the ride and it was like, my voice, it was really cool,” he said. (His character, Rocket Raccoon, is featured in the ride.) “I would say, ‘Daddy, daddy,’ then she kinda looked up and she saw…she was like, ‘Daddy?'” (Awww.)

Cooper and partner Irina Shayk’s daughter Lea “just turned” 2, per Cooper. But when asked about the “Terrible Twos,” Cooper refused to weigh in. “You know, I don’t subscribe to that,” Cooper said. “I don’t even know what that means.” (Lucky him!) Asked about fatherhood, however, the actor had lots to say. In response to whether fatherhood had changed him, he shared the following: “I think like [in] every way. I mean, it allowed me to embrace my childlike self without any sort of like, fear of judgment. Like, I could just play with toys all day long and not feel like- is this weird? Or watch cartoons endlessly and not think I’m wasting my life. I love cartoons.”

Finally, in DeGeneres’ “Burning Questions” segment, Cooper was asked what he does to make his daughter laugh. When he responded “dance goofily,” the longtime host — thank God — requested that the actor demonstrate. What followed was exactly the kind of goofy dad dance that would make any toddler, and many adults, shriek with delight. Watch the heart-warming clip for yourself, and remember, Bradley Cooper: being a dad is the best role you’ll ever play. Good thing it seems like he’s nailing it.