When you see Jeff Bridges, it’s a pretty safe bet that he’s the kind of guy that you can trust to do the right thing. He’s played a variety of roles in his career, including the lead in the Coen brothers’ western True Grit, the main character in the TV series The Old Man and the Son, and even a villain in the film Cutter’s Way. But did you know that he has had a few health scares throughout his life?
Early career
The career of actor Jeff Bridges has seen him star in a number of popular movies. He began acting at a young age, and grew up in Los Angeles. After studying acting in New York, he went on to find success in the early 1970s. His performance in the crime drama Jagged Edge earned him acclaim. In 1984, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Starman. A few years later, he received an Oscar for his role in Crazy Heart.
Jeff Bridges made his first TV appearance at eight years old, in an episode of his father Lloyd’s television show Sea Hunt. The following year, he became a member of the US Coast Guard Reserve. During this time, his parents sent him to a military academy for his freshman year. This experience was not the only one that was bad for Bridges. He had a bad experience with discipline at school.
After a brief stint in the military, Bridges decided to pursue an acting career. His first film, The Company She Keeps, was released in 1950. It starred his father and brother Beau, and was directed by Lloyd Bridges. Several months after the film’s release, Jeff Bridges was signed with Blue Note Records.
After college, he worked on several television shows. Eventually, he became more interested in music. He sold two compositions to Quincy Jones. He wrote a song for the 1969 film John and Mary. Besides acting, Bridges studied piano.
As a teenager, he appeared in a number of films, including The Yin and Yang of Mr. Go and Halls of Anger. In 1970, he toured with his father. Later, he joined the Coast Guard Reserve, and continued to work steadily in the 1970s.
Coen brothers’ western True Grit
Jeff Bridges returns to the Coen brothers in their western True Grit. It’s an excellent film that demonstrates the power of long-term collaboration. He brings a unique style and sensibilities to the role.
The movie is a bit of a hoot. Unlike many other films, it doesn’t overtly offer itself up to the audience.
One of the highlights is the haggling scene with the horse trader Dakin Matthews. But the Coens pack smaller roles with carefully chosen character actors. They also master the courtroom scenes.
There’s also the music. The soundtrack is full of whimsical yet dark music. And the score hearkens back to Carter Burwell’s earlier films.
True Grit is an old-fashioned Western that features a young heroine. She’s a determined teenager, and she’s out for revenge.
Hailee Steinfeld plays Mattie. Her character is a precocious fourteen year old. She’s out for vengeance after her father’s murder. As she searches for a federal marshal willing to track down his killer, she sees the brutality of the trail.
Jeff Bridges, who has worked with the Coens before, brings an interesting flair to the role. His performance is a clear reflection of his talents as an actor.
True Grit, based on the novel by Charles Portis, is directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The story starts in Arkansas in the 1870s. While the film isn’t a traditional Western, it does hew closely to the storyline of the book.
Despite its flaws, it’s a surprisingly enthralling and well-executed film. Not only does it capture the spirit of the classic western, it is also a cinematically virtuosic piece of work. It is a bit of a rarity in Hollywood to revisit this genre.
TV series The Old Man
The Old Man is a new television series starring Jeff Bridges. This is the actor’s first TV role since the 1990s. He is playing a retired CIA operative.
The Old Man is produced by 20th Television in association with The Littlefield Company. It is based on a novel by Thomas Perry. Specifically, it is a seven-episode thriller.
Although the title is a bit of a mouthful, the show does have a lot to offer. Not only does it have some of the best action sequences you’ll see on television, but it also has a nice pacing.
As for Jeff Bridges’ acting, he’s a talented enough actor to make viewers care. But he’s also been dealing with some health problems lately, such as lymphoma and Covid. Fortunately, he recovered from his condition, and he’s ready to roll.
Despite his recent health scares, Bridges was still able to participate in his daughter’s wedding. And he even took part in the father/daughter dance.
As for the other things Jeff Bridges has been up to, he’s taken on a new challenge. His new TV series, The Old Man, will debut on FX in June. In the meantime, he’s been working on his new movie, The Winter of Frankie Machine.
One of the reasons that Jeff Bridges’ return to television took so long is because he’s battled cancer. He had just begun filming the series when he was diagnosed. However, he recovered enough to finish shooting the last three episodes.
Besides, the show has been renewed for a second season. It is available on Hulu and Disney+ in the US. You can also catch it on Netflix in the UK.
Cutter’s Way
If you’re looking for a movie about frustration, you should check out Jeff Bridges’ 1981 film Cutter’s Way. The film is based on Newton Thornburg’s 1976 novel Cutter and Bone. It features Jeff Bridges as a man who lost a leg in Vietnam and has a womanizing past.
The film’s plot revolves around an attempt to blackmail a local businessman, J.J. Cord. He’s seen at the “Founder’s Day Parade” in Santa Barbara. However, the police brush aside Jeff Bridges’ testimony.
The movie is about a pair of Vietnam veterans. Alex Cutter is a former Marine who’s lost a leg and an arm. His friend is Richard Bone. A yacht salesman, Bone also has a womanizing past. But he’s not considered a suspect. Instead, his friends try to get him to take on a full-time job at the marina.
In the meantime, Cutter becomes obsessed with the case of a girl who was murdered. Cutter’s obsession becomes a problem for Bone.
In the end, Cutter and Bone team up to track down the murderer. They get into a confrontation with a wealthy and powerful man who’s also a business magnate.
The film is a perfect match for the downbeat American dramas of the post-Watergate era. The themes are strong, and the movie’s expressionistic ending is a treat.
While the film isn’t flawless, it’s been holding up well. It’s one of the best American films of the 1980s. Now that it’s been released in theaters, it’s gaining more appreciation. And it’s definitely one of the most truthful critiques of the American hierarchy.
Though it didn’t become a commercial success, the film was an influential cult favorite. It has slowly clawed its way back into the public eye. As a film, it’s been highly praised, and has rekindled a love for the genre.
Health scare
Jeff Bridges recently underwent a health scare that included a battle with cancer. Thankfully, he’s in remission and ready to tackle his new FX series, The Old Man.
After a two-year hiatus, production on Bridges’ new FX series has finally resumed. He’s starring in The Old Man alongside Bill Heck and Amy Brenneman. It’s a re-imagining of Thomas Perry’s novel.
Although the show has been delayed, it’s set to debut on FX in June. Aside from being a big budget production, it also comes with unprecedented challenges. Most notably, the pandemic of COVID-19.
Jeff Bridges tested positive for the disease while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. This caused a two-year delay in filming. Despite the difficulties, he’s now ready to take on his first TV role in 25 years. And he even got a puppy to cheer him on.
As for what the show is about, Bridges’s character Dan Chase has absconded from the CIA decades ago. However, he’s not quite ready to leave his past behind. Now, he’s forced to make sense of his life and what he should do to ensure his future.
Jeff Bridges’s health scare was not the first time he’s had to face a major medical challenge. Two years ago, he nearly died from a near fatal health condition. In the process, Bridges shaved his head.
Jeff Bridges reportedly has a very long list of health problems, but one that stands out is non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The disease affects the lymphatic system, which is comprised of white blood cells. Typically, lymphoma requires chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
One of the best-known films starring Jeff Bridges is “The Big Lebowski”. The film is a cult classic, so much so that Bridges’s wife, Sue Geston, said it was her favourite movie of all time.
