Bradley Cooper in 'The Elephant Man': A dream role for a heartthrob
It has become something of a theater tradition to cast a good-looking young man in the role of John Merrick, the horribly deformed protagonist of "The Elephant Man." The role, which requires the actor to be shirtless for a good period of time, is a showcase for an ambitious thespian looking to brandish his acting chops -- and his abdominals.