The Old Man’s Jeff Bridges on health struggles: “I couldn’t walk”

The Old Man’s Jeff Bridges on health struggles: “I couldn’t walk”

As a long-time admirer of Jeff Bridges‘ illustrious career, reading this article felt like sitting down for a chat with an old friend. The man is a living legend, and his stories about working in both television and movies are fascinating. His passion for acting, evident from the early days of Sea Hunt, continues to shine through in his work today.


This article first appeared in TopMob magazine.

In the most recent edition of TopMob, the esteemed movie star Jeff Bridges, renowned for movies like The Big Lebowski and Iron Man, shares his perspectives while lounging on his couch.

Read on for that, reality TV, movies vs TV and more…

What’s the view from your sofa?

Recently, we’ve shifted to a fresh residence boasting a sizable television screen in the living area, which has long been on my wish list. The exact size eludes me, yet it seems more than sufficient.

What have you enjoyed watching lately?

At home, we tend to spend quite a bit of time watching television. Have you ever checked out Pen15? It’s an exceptional show, I must say. Maya Erskine delivers an outstanding performance in it – she’s amazing! You might recognize her from Mr & Mrs Smith as well. A true talent. Now, Succession is another fantastic series on my list. Additionally, I find True Detective quite intriguing too.

Are you into reality TV?

Do I watch the reality stuff? Politics, man! I mean… Oh, God. What’s going to happen this year? It’ll be intense.

You’ve worked in both television and movies — which do you prefer?

It’s captivating to observe the contrast between then and now. In the past, my father (Lloyd Bridges) starred in numerous television productions. I witnessed his challenges due to limited time, which hindered him from achieving the quality he truly desired. However, times have changed significantly. Nowadays, there seems little distinction between TV shows and movies, with one exception: the unpredictability of a TV series’ plotline, and the luxury of taking time to delve deeper into character development. There’s no need for haste in television production anymore.

The Old Man’s Jeff Bridges on health struggles: “I couldn’t walk”

What’s your earliest TV memory?

If you recall a series titled Sea Hunt and spotted a young boy on it, chances are that was me. That show belonged to my father in the late ’50s. I can still picture him teaching me acting fundamentals right there on his bed. Isn’t it fascinating? He always approached his work with such enthusiasm, which made a profound impact on me.

Considering the significant health challenges you’ve faced lately, like your cancer diagnosis in 2020, I was wondering how you’re feeling today.

Currently, I’m in high spirits, yet I’ve encountered some challenging times. Amidst the production of The Old Man’s first season, a pandemic struck, forcing us to temporarily halt filming. Shortly after, I found a large tumor measuring approximately 9×12 inches within my body. I underwent chemotherapy, only to receive news from the treatment center that I had been exposed to Covid-19. The chemo treatments had weakened my immune system significantly, leaving me vulnerable with minimal immunity. The Covid-19 illness overshadowed the impact of the cancer.

How did you get back on your feet?

Initially, I wasn’t certain I could pull it off. I felt defeated, almost at my wit’s end. But I couldn’t just sit there, so I set some small challenges for myself. My first hurdle was standing up, and I managed to do that in about 90 seconds. After that, I aimed to walk across the room, which I eventually accomplished. As time went by, I kept setting new goals. One of them was rather significant – walking my daughter Hayley down the aisle during her wedding. So, step by step, I prepared myself for that special moment.

Did you reach the wedding goal?

It transpired that not only was I able to escort her to the altar, but I could also twirl her on the dance floor. In a hurry, I’d have to retreat to my seat and catch my breath again. My performance steadily improved, greatly assisted by an exceptional coach. Now, I’m in top form, feeling fantastic.

Has regaining your health allowed you to handle the acrobatics and combat sequences in the latest installment of The Old Man?

Indeed, performing action sequences, particularly fight scenes, is truly exhilarating. Over the course of my professional journey, I’ve found myself participating in numerous brawls. As one matures, the challenges become more pronounced. However, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with exceptional stunt coordinators who have crafted some stunning fight choreography for us. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of executing many such sequences.

After that, could you share some insights about the upcoming Disney film where you’ll be back as Tron alongside Jared Leto? What can we expect from this new project?

I found it incredibly enjoyable to take part in the filming! Jared shines as the main character, and I had the pleasure of reviving my old role, Kevin Flynn. The experience was exhilarating. On one occasion, I even brought my refurbished hockey helmet from the original Tron set – a symbol of my character – to set, giving it to Jared as a symbolic passing of the mantle. I have high hopes that this movie will be nothing short of marvelous.

The Old Man’s Jeff Bridges on health struggles: “I couldn’t walk”

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2024-11-05 03:34