Media Room
Press Releases
Actors Aaron Eckhart, Bradley Cooper and Dax Shepard Return from USO Tour to Kuwait and Afghanistan |
ARLINGTON, Va. – Actors Aaron Eckhart, Bradley Cooper and Dax Shepard just wrapped up their USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour, where they brought cheer to troops in Kuwait and warmth to those in the snow covered mountains of Afghanistan. During their visit, the trio shook hands with service members, signed autographs and posed for handfuls of pictures.
Joining forces to salute the red, white and blue, the actors are avid supporters of America’s armed forces. The first USO tour for Eckhart, this was the second for Cooper and Shepard. In 2008, Cooper ventured to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he spent four days visiting the U.S. Naval Station and the Northeast Gate. One year earlier, Shepard traveled to Afghanistan and met hundreds of service members alongside Tom Arnold and Nora Zehetner.
“This year’s USO tour was very meaningful to me," said Cooper. “I am truly humbled by our nation’s military and all of the hard work they do for us every day. We will never be able to do, or say enough to thank them for their service and sacrifice.”
One of Hollywood’s most sought after actors, Eckhart has starred in more than 26 films since his 1997 debut in the dark comedy “In the Company of Men.” He’s portrayed everything from romantic lead to the man you hate to love in films such as “Erin Brockovich” opposite Julia Roberts, “Nurse Betty” with Renée Zellweger and “The Core” featuring Hillary Swank. Nominated for a Golden Globe for “Thank You For Smoking,” Eckhart recently starred in "The Dark Knight" as ‘Harvey Dent/Two-Face’ and will next be seen starring in the romantic drama "Traveling” with Jennifer Aniston and “Rum Diary” with Johnny Depp.
With extensive training and experience in theater, television and film, Cooper can currently be seen in the comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You.” A native of Philadelphia, he recently reprised his role as ‘Aidan Stone’ on the critically acclaimed F/X drama “nip/tuck.” Cooper will next be seen in the Warner Brothers comedy, “The Hangover” followed by “All About Steve” with Sandra Bullock and “New York I Love You” directed by Allen Hughes.
Born in Milford, MI, Shepard’s big break came in 2003 when he starred as Ashton Kutcher’s hilarious sidekick in MTV’s “Punk’d.” Following his television success, he went on to star in “Without A Paddle” with Seth Green and Matthew Lillard, “Employee of the Month” with Dane Cook, “Idiocracy” directed by Mike Judge and “Baby Mama” with Tina Fey. Later on this year, Shepard will be seen in “Old Dogs” with Robin Williams and “When in Rome” starring Anjelica Huston.
In times of peace and war, the USO consistently delivers its special brand of entertainment and comfort to service men and women around the world. In 2008, celebrity entertainers traveled to 27 countries and 23 states, entertaining more than 236,000 troops and their families.
For a list of recent and upcoming USO tours, visit www.uso.org/whatwedo/entertainment/. To learn more about the USO and how to support the troops, visit www.uso.org.
About the USO:
The USO (United Service Organizations) provides morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, Blackwater Worldwide, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., Clear Channel Communications, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Gallery Furniture, S & K Sales Co., and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information, please visit www.uso.org.
CONTACTS: Oname Thompson, 703-908-6471
othompson@uso.org