Josh Lucas Praises Palm Royale Costar on Her 91st Birthday with Quip About Bradley Cooper: ‘Waiting in the Wings’

The iconic actress turned 91 on April 26

Josh Lucas marked Carol Burnett’s 91st birthday with a sweet tribute — and a swing at becoming her new celebrity crush.

Lucas, 52, stars in Apple TV+’s Palm Royale alongside the comedic legend, and on April 26, he shared a photo with her from the show’s set in celebration of her milestone birthday.

Reflecting on his recent appearance with Kristen Wiig at Deadline’s Contenders TV event on April 14, Lucas began his Instagram post, “We were at the @deadline event and I said @itscarolburnett is turning 91 and someone shouted back from the audience with a snappy judgmental edge ‘No she’s 81!’”

“Happy 91 Carol! No one has ever proved to me to be a better professional and lovelier human in this biz than you! In your case 90 is the new 60.”

He closed out the post with a bid for Burnett’s heart, as he wrote, “I know you have a thing for #bradleycooper but if that ever fades just know I’m waiting in the wings….”

Days earlier, Burnett had received the gift of a lifetime during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as the late-night host surprised her with a birthday message from Bradley Cooper.

“Hello, Carol Burnett, it’s Bradley Cooper,” the actor, 49, began his video message. “I just wanted to wish you a very happy 91st birthday.”

“I’ve been such a massive fan of yours ever since I was a kid, watched your show religiously, and it’s a thrill to leave you this message,” he continued. “I hope to meet you one day and maybe even work together. I hope you have a great day, see ya.”

Burnett was in shock at the video, as she told Kimmel, 56, “Oh, that is hysterical. I love that.”

“It’s not sex. It’s a step in that direction,” Kimmel joked. “That’s how Bradley does it — first he sends a video message.”
Burnett wasn’t fazed, though, as she thanked him for the “adorable” gesture. “What a great birthday present, thank you,” she said.

he actress originally made a comment expressing her love of — and desire for — Cooper during an appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark in March.

Mark Consuelos told Burnett that he’d loved her Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa podcast episode with his wife, which aired last year ahead of her 90th birthday. During the episode, Burnett “said something very funny” that Consuelos shared with the audience.

“‘Is there something you wanted to do that you haven’t done yet before you turn 90?’ And you said, ‘George Clooney,’ ” Consuelos recalled.

Ripa then asked if Clooney, 62, had reached out, to which the actress revealed she was now “thinking about Bradley Cooper,” as she looked toward her 91st birthday, thus prompting the hilarious and sweet gesture from Kimmel.

The only thing seemingly standing in Burnett’s way — for both Cooper and Lucas — is Brian Miller, her husband of more than 20 years. “I don’t think it’ll work with my husband,” she joked to Ripa and Consuelos.

Cooper and Lucas are similarly spoken for. The Maestro actor has been linked to Gigi Hadid since October, and Lucas is currently dating meteorologist Brianna Ruffalo.