Jeff Bridges said he’s feeling “great” as he’s in remission in his battle with lymphoma… and starring in upcoming FX show The Old Man
Jeff Bridges said he feels “great” to be in remission in his battle with lymphoma.
The 72-year-old Big Lebowski star chatted to reporters on Tuesday to promote his new FX show The Old Man after production was halted for 15 months because of his health battle.
“I went through this bizarre dream for a year and a half and then I came back,” the Oscar winner said, according to Deadline. “It was great to be back with the gang.”
The Latest: Jeff Bridges said he feels “great” to be in remission in his battle with lymphoma. The 72-year-old actor chatted with reporters on Tuesday to promote his new FX show The Old Man. He was photographed in Burbank, California in 2019
The Hollywood veteran of the likes of Crazy Heart, The Last Picture Show and True Grit revealed he was battling blood cancer in October 2020 and said last fall he was in remission.
Bridges appeared in the virtual press conference alongside his action thriller co-stars, including Amy Brenneman, 57, and John Lithgow, 76.
Bridges said he adapted to the series’ role, remembering the advice of his late father, actor Lloyd Bridges, who he said filmed six series in his career.
“He’s my teacher,” Bridges said of his late father, who died in 1998. “I fight against everything. Each task has a unique quality. This one would have a lot of physicality.’
The Hollywood veteran announced he was battling blood cancer in October 2020 and said last fall he was in remission. He was photographed in LA in October 2019
The Old Man, based on Thomas Perry’s novel, casts Bridges as a former CIA agent named Dan Chase who is being hunted by a hitman. He was pictured in LA in 2019
The Old Man production has been started and stopped twice, once because of the coronavirus pandemic and once because of Bridges’ health struggle. The actor thanked his staff on Tuesday for their consideration and support during the difficult time.
“As far as I’m concerned, FX and the entire team have been so considerate and gave me all the time I needed to heal and all the support I needed,” Bridges said, according to The Wrap. “The protocols – we were still in COVID – made me feel very safe and eager to get down to business and play.”
Brenneman credited Bridges with “always”. [being] available,” as well as his upbeat candor amid the health crisis.
She said when she asked him about his recovery, he said, “It was weird, but it was interesting – it was cool!”
Lithgow spoke about how Bridges has helped his older brother, David, who was “diagnosed with something very, very similar to Jeff’s.
“And as soon as I told him about my brother, he immediately got back to him, sent him information, he never met the man. Jeff is the big hearted person. It’s not like you’re working with an actor at all. It’s like working with a friend.”
Based on Thomas Perry’s novel, The Old Man casts Bridges as a former CIA agent named Dan Chase who is being pursued by a hitman, played by Gbenga Akinnagbe.
The show also stars Alia Shawkat, Bill Heck, Seem Lubany and EJ Bonilla. It is scheduled to debut on FX on June 16th.