View from my sofa: Jeff Bridges

View from my sofa: Jeff Bridges

As a film enthusiast with a soft spot for both television and movies, I must say that my new big screen has been a game-changer. It’s not just about the size; it’s about the immersive viewing experience it provides.


Add The Old Man to your watchlist

What’s the view from your sofa?

Recently, we’ve relocated to a fresh residence boasting a sizeable television screen in the lounge area, which has long been on my wish list. The exact dimensions of this screen are yet unknown to me, but its size seems more than adequate.

What have you enjoyed watching lately?

At home, we tend to spend quite a bit of time watching television. By any chance, have you caught the show called “Pen15“? It’s truly remarkable, and Maya Erskine delivers an outstanding performance in it. She’s also notable in “Mr & Mrs Smith“. A true talent indeed! Speaking of excellent series, I must say that “Succession” is simply fantastic. Additionally, “True Detective” is another one I really enjoy.

Are you into reality TV?

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

It’s intriguing to contrast the two eras – back when my father (Lloyd Bridges) was an actor, he found it challenging due to time constraints in producing high-quality television shows. However, times have drastically changed. Nowadays, there isn’t much distinction between movies and TV, with the exception that a TV series keeps you guessing about the narrative flow, while providing ample time to develop characters. There’s no need for haste when it comes to TV production.

What’s your earliest TV memory?

Back in the late ’50s, if you caught an episode of “Sea Hunt” and spotted an eight-year-old kid on screen, chances are it was yours truly. That show was my dad’s claim to fame, and he’d often have me sit on his bed to guide me through the art of acting. Can you believe it? Talk about a unique childhood experience! Watching my dad’s infectious enthusiasm for his work left a lasting impact on me.

Given that you’ve faced some significant health challenges during the last few years, such as being diagnosed with cancer in 2020, I’m curious about how you’re feeling today.

Currently, I’m thriving, yet I must admit it’s been quite a challenge. During the production of our first season of The Old Man, an unexpected event occurred – the pandemic hit, and we were forced to halt filming. To add to my troubles, I found a large tumor in my body, roughly 9 inches by 12 inches. I underwent chemotherapy, but then I received a notification from the treatment center that I had been exposed to Covid-19. Since the chemo had weakened my immune system, I had no defense against the virus. Unfortunately, the impact of Covid seemed insignificant compared to the cancer.

How did you get back on your feet?

frankly speaking, I wasn’t confident I could pull it off. I was at my wit’s end, unable to move on foot – but I set myself small milestones. Initially, I managed to stand up, which took about 90 seconds. Subsequently, I aimed to reach the other side of the room. With time, I established another goal. My daughter Hayley was getting married, and I thought, “Could I walk her down the aisle?” So, I worked towards that achievement.

Did you reach the wedding goal?

As it turned out, not only did I escort her to the altar, but I also shared a dance with her. Afterward, I found myself having to rush back to my seat and catch my breath. However, with each passing moment, I improved significantly. This was largely due to the exceptional training I received. Now, I’m in great shape and feeling fantastic.

View from my sofa: Jeff Bridges

Has recovering from your illness allowed you to handle the acrobatics and combat sequences in the latest season of The Old Man more easily?

Absolutely! Engaging in fight sequences can be quite thrilling, and over the course of my acting journey, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in numerous fights. As I age, these encounters become slightly more challenging, but we’ve been blessed with exceptional stunt coordinators who have crafted some breathtaking fight scenes for us. Throughout my career, I’ve taken part in many such sequences.

After that, let me share some insights about your upcoming return to the world of Tron in a new Disney film featuring Jared Leto. Could you provide some details on this exciting project?

1) I had a blast filming! Jared really shines in this production and I got to revive my character, Kevin Flynn. It was quite an adventure! One day on set, I even brought back my original Tron helmet – modified from a hockey helmet – which I later passed on to Jared as a symbolic gesture. I believe this movie is going to be exceptional!

Read More

2024-11-06 20:03