Jeff Bridges bio, age, height, family, health, wife, children, career path 2025

Jeff Bridges Biography

Jeff Bridges is a Hollywood icon best known for his unforgettable roles in films like "The Big Lebowski" and "Starman". For his role in "Crazy Heart", he was awarded an Oscar and a Golden Globe, as well as the Screen Actors Guild Award.

Childhood and Family

Jeffrey Leon Bridges was born on December 4, 1949 in Los Angeles, into the family of popular film actor Lloyd Bridges and actress Dorothy Bridges. Along with Jeff, the family raised his elder brother by 8 years, Beau Bridges, another future famous actor, and a younger sister, Cindy, who is one year younger than him.

A year before Jeff, the couple had a son, Garrett, but he died in infancy from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Therefore, when Dorothy successfully gave birth to her third child, the fear for the life of her third son never left her. At first, Jeff grew up in an atmosphere of hyper-protection, until he "got" a younger sister.

At just four months old, Jeff made his screen debut in a scene from the drama "The Company She Keeps". This wasn't by choice: Lloyd and Dorothy, both in-demand actors, fell victim to the anti-communist hysteria sweeping America when the theater Lloyd worked with was accused of communist ties. Both found themselves blacklisted, forcing Lloyd to take work as a laborer. Jeff and his older brother's names weren't "tainted" yet, so while they went uncredited, they could at least earn money.

Eventually the charges against Lloyd were dropped, but the scandal had already locked him out of major films. He focused on TV series (one of the most significant in his career was "Sea Hunt"), often took his sons on set, and sometimes the boys landed small roles in individual episodes.

Jeff Bridges Discusses His Parents & Childhood

Jeff grew up as a bright kid without any trace of "star syndrome". He was passionate about music, read a lot, and was an excellent student. As a teenager, he started hanging out with hippies and developed a drug habit, though this didn't stop him from writing music for the film "John and Mary" starring Dustin Hoffman when he was just 16. His wild lifestyle worried his parents, who sent Jeff to military school.

In 1967, Jeff graduated from high school. His transcript was filled with C's - he had neither the desire nor the grades for college. Facing the Vietnam War draft, he joined the Coast Guard to avoid it. After that, Jeff moved to New York, where he studied acting.

Acting Career

The actor has never hidden that his father paved his path to fame, pleading with director friends to give Jeff a shot in their films. "I'm a typical product of nepotism," Bridges later said about himself.

Jeff Bridges: 'I'm a Product of Nepotism, That's How I Got Into It'

He landed his first major role in Paul Bogart's "Halls of Anger" (1970), which tackled the hot-button issue of racial segregation in America. Jeff's character finds himself in a predominantly Black school; while the law mandating segregation by race had been abolished, old resentments still surface. Bridges' role was highly rated by critics.

Then came the film "The Last Picture Show" (1971), for which Jeff was nominated for an Oscar for the first time. The actor would go on to receive seven Oscar nominations throughout his career. Three years later, he earned another nomination for "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot," starring opposite Clint Eastwood.

In 1972's drama "Fat City," Jeff appeared as a young boxer, with critics hailing the actor as a rising hope of American cinema.

Jeff Bridges in Fat City

At the height of his fame, Jeff indulged in the usual Hollywood vices: casual sex, drugs, alcohol, and wild parties. Unlike many stars, Bridges didn't worry about his reputation and brushed off scandalous press coverage—a refreshing approach in image-obsessed Hollywood.

In 1977, Bridges played the leading role in the remake of the 1933 film "King Kong". The film was commercially successful and was repeatedly shown on American television in the 80s.

Bridges kept up a busy acting schedule, and in 1984 came one of his most iconic films, "Starman." He played the lead role of an alien visitor, earning yet another Oscar nomination. On July 11, 1994, Jeff Bridges' work was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Starman - I Send Greetings (1984)

Four years later came the Coen brothers' comedy "The Big Lebowski," where Jeff played his most iconic role—the laid-back Dude, a simple guy who's perfectly content living his modest but enjoyable life.

In 2000, Bridges earned another Oscar nomination for playing the U.S. president in "The Contender."

In 2009, Bridges both produced and starred in "Crazy Heart," playing forgotten country singer Otis "Bad" Blake. The performance earned him his first and only Oscar to date.

Jeff Bridges Wins Best Actor: 2010 Oscars

He later earned Oscar nominations for "True Grit" (2010) and "Hell or High Water" (2016).

October 2018 saw the release of two Bridges projects: the documentary "Living in the Future's Past" and thriller "Bad Times at the El Royale." In the documentary, which he produced and narrated, Bridges explores climate change and resource depletion. In the thriller, he stars alongside Cynthia Erivo and Dakota Johnson.

Jedd Bridges in Bad Times at the El Royal

Music

Music represents another major passion for Bridges. He learned piano in his youth, and while filming "Heaven's Gate" in 1980, often jammed on guitar with his co-star, country legend Kris Kristofferson. Interestingly, his "Crazy Heart" character drew partly from Kristofferson's own life story.

Jeff Bridges on His Love of Music

Bridges occasionally performs at friends' festivals and concerts, and records songs for films. He's released three albums: "Be Here Soon" (2000), "Jeff Bridges" (2011), and "Sleeping Tapes" (2015).

Jeff Bridges - Fallin» and Flyin»

Jeff Bridges' Personal Life

Bridges has been married to Susan Geston since 1977. The couple has three daughters: Isabelle Annie (born 1981), Jessica Lily (born 1983), and Hayley Roselouise (born 1985). Their eldest daughter Isabelle also gave them a granddaughter, Grace, in 2011.

Photography is another passion for Bridges, especially on film sets. For their fourth anniversary, Susan gifted him a Widelux F8 panoramic camera that he's carried everywhere since. He publishes many photos online and released a book of his work in 2003.

Jeff Bridges with his wife and daughters

A practicing Buddhist, Bridges meditates for 30 minutes before each day of filming.

Jeff Bridges on Meeting Snoop Dogg, Turning 70 & Photography

Jeff Bridges Now

In late 2019, Jeff Bridges started filming the Disney detective series "The Old Man." Production was halted twice: first in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, then again in October. The second shutdown came after Bridges was diagnosed with lymphoma.

Throughout his treatment, Jeff kept a wellness diary on his website with his trademark self-deprecating humor. Things got especially tough when he caught COVID during treatment.

I was in surrender mode. I was ready to go. I was dancing with my mortality… Covid kicked my ass pretty good, but I'm double vaccinated and feeling much better.

Fortunately, the treatment worked, and Bridges was able to return to filming "The Old Man." The series premiered in summer 2022, earned positive reviews, and got renewed for a second season.

Jeff Bridges: latest news and articles

These getting old actors youngified for only one role

1 Feb 2019

Photos: Jeff Bridges