ACTOR Bradley Cooper has sparked anger by wearing a false nose to play Jewish composer Leonard Bernstein for a film.
The Hangover star and nine-time Oscar nominee is also directing the biopic, Maestro.
But many noted his fake nose is far bigger than the American’s ever was — and some claimed it perpetuated “Jew-face” stereotypes.
Ex-EastEnders star Tracy-Ann Oberman, who is Jewish, wrote on Instagram: “If he needs to wear a prosthetic nose then that is, to me and many others, the equivalent of black-face or yellow-face.
“If Bradley Cooper can’t do it through the power or acting alone then don’t cast him — get a Jewish actor.”
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Another person said online: “This isn’t about making a non-Jewish actor look more like Leonard Bernstein; it’s about making a non-Jewish actor look more like a Jewish stereotype.”
West Side Story composer Bernstein died at 72 in 1990.
Maestro, due to be released in cinemas in November, follows his relationship with wife Felicia, played by Brit Carey Mulligan.
Last night Bernstein’s three children defended Hollywood star Bradley, 48.
They said: “Bradley Cooper included the three of us along every step of his amazing journey as he made his film about our father.
“It breaks our hearts to see any misrepresentations or misunderstandings of his efforts.
“It happens to be true that Leonard Bernstein had a nice, big nose.
“Bradley chose to use make-up to amplify his resemblance, and we are perfectly fine with that
“We’re also certain that our dad would have been fine with it as well.”
