Jeff Bridges Told Death Bring It On, Man

In this exclusive AARP The Magazine interview, Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges opens up about his extended leave from Hollywood to deal with severe health issues. In March 2020, the COVID pandemic halted production of the FX thriller The Old Man, in which Bridges plays a retired CIA agent. During that time, Bridges was diagnosed with lymphoma, which he publicly shared in a post that referenced one of his most iconic movie roles, The Big Lebowski: “As the Dude would say... New S**T has come to light.” Shortly after he began chemotherapy treatment, he also contracted COVID-19. Bridges spent over four months in the hospital thinking that his career – which has included leading roles in Crazy Heart, True Grit and Hell or High Water – might be over. Bridges finally recovered and got back to work finishing the first season of The Old Man, alongside co-stars John Lithgow and Amy Brenneman. He is currently filming the second season, which is anticipated to be released in late 2023. Please consider suppor