Jeff Bridges, one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, was practically born into the spotlight. The son of Sea Hunt star Lloyd Bridges and his actress wife, Dorothy, Jeff made his cinematic debut at just six months old in the 1951 movie The Company She Keeps. Reflecting on his storied career in a December 2019 interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Jeff admitted, “I’m a product of nepotism. That’s how I got my foot in the door, through my dad.”
A Legacy of Love and Lessons
While Jeff’s parents helped pave the way for his career, they also instilled in him and his older brother, fellow actor Beau, foundational values that have guided his life. At 70 years old, Jeff reflects fondly on his upbringing, saying, “My mother and father were incredibly nurturing and set wonderful examples of how to live your life. The most important lessons I learned from my father weren’t from his words but from his actions. He loved his work so much that it radiated onto everyone around him, inspiring them to rise to the occasion.”
From the Screen to the Soul
Jeff has brought that same warmth and authenticity to his roles since his Oscar-nominated performance in 1971’s The Last Picture Show. Director Peter Bogdanovich, speaking exclusively to Closer Weekly, recalled casting Jeff in the role of a challenging character. “The character was an obnoxious son of a bitch,” Bogdanovich said, “but Jeff is such a genuinely nice guy that I thought some of his goodness would shine through, and you’d still be able to like him. And I was right!”
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Managing the Inner Storm
Though Jeff often appears as carefree as his iconic character, The Dude from The Big Lebowski, he’s been open about his struggles with anxiety. “We all have those little voices in our heads that whisper, ‘Do you really think you can pull this off?’” Jeff admits. To combat these doubts, he turns to meditation. “It helps a lot,” he says.
Words of Wisdom from Loved Ones
Another source of comfort for Jeff comes from the voices of his loved ones, especially his wife, Susan. “My wife often reminds me of something my mother used to tell me when I was a teenager heading off to a job,” Jeff shares. “She’d say, ‘Now remember: Have fun and don’t take it too seriously.’ Those words have stuck with me, and now I ask my wife to remind me of them. It really calms me down.”
