Talk about the ultimate superstar support system. 

WhileBrad Pitt andBradley Cooper have known each other for years, they've gotten "close" in the last few years, a source close to Pitt told E! News, saying, "Brad has a lot of respect for Bradley and vice versa."

And that respect was on center stage—literally—when the A Star Is Born director presented his friend with the award for Best Supporting Actor at the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala on Jan. 8 for his turn in When the Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood. In a surprising move, Pitt opened up about his sobriety in his acceptance speech, revealing it was Cooper who was instrumental in his journey.