The secrets of my success: Jeff Bridges

**Honey** · February 14th, 2010, 10:21 AM

'I spend most of my time avoiding work. Honestly, I'm a pretty lazy guy,' said five-times Oscar-nominated Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges has a unique approach to success in Hollywood: say no to everything until directors are practically pleading with you. He simply doesn't like spending months on a film set - it's too much effort. He prefers to stay at home with his wife Susan at their ocean-view estate in Santa Barbara, north of LA, indulging his passions for photography, music and ceramics.
Now aged 60, Bridges has been in front of the cameras almost his entire life. The son of acting couple Lloyd and Dorothy Bridges, he and brother Beau grew up on movie sets. By 22 he was a star, winning his first Oscar nomination for 1971's The Last Picture Show.
He has since delivered Oscar-nominated performances in Thunderbolt And Lightfoot, Starman and The Contender, and now he's once again up for Best Actor for his portrayal of a fading country-music star in Crazy Heart. He won a Golden Globe for the role last month.
Bridges has been married for 32 years, and he and Susan have three daughters. He is the co-founder of the End Hunger Network, a U.S. children's charity.

The more you say no, the more roles you get.
I spend most of my time avoiding work. Honestly, I'm a pretty lazy guy. It's a lot easier for me to turn down a role than take it. I know the effort it takes once you engage and commit. Also, it takes me away from my sweetheart, from the woman I love, my leading lady.
Sometimes you have to listen to your dad.
I'm glad I took his advice and went into showbiz. My father pushed me to go into the business, not for vicarious reasons, but because he enjoyed it so much. So I never really had a choice. Like most kids I didn't want to do what my dad did. You don't want people saying, 'Oh, you think you're so great because your dad is Lloyd Bridges.' In the end I was glad I took his advice, because I love it now.
Get your foot in the door the best way you can.
As an actor that can be the hardest thing to do - the reason I did was because of who my dad was - it's as simple as that. My dad would say, 'There's a part here for a little kid; you want to be in it?' I'd say, 'I don't know...' And he would say, 'You'll get out of school, you'll make some money and buy some toys.' So I said, 'OK.'

Jeff is favourite to win Best Actor at this year's Academy Awards for his portrayal of a fading country-music star in Crazy Heart (above, opposite Maggie Gyllenhaal)

Always keep your audience happily confused.
I've never gone down the movie-star path. I always keep the audience uncertain about who I am so they can believe the characters I'm playing. I enjoy taking a 90-degree turn from the last film I did. In the Sixties my dad had a show called Sea Hunt, where he played a skin-diver. It created such a strong persona for him that he was only offered skin-diver roles. They didn't know he was a Shakespearean actor who sang on Broadway. I learned from that.

Learn how to spot a winner.
Saying yes to a film is like that line in The Godfather - they made me an offer I couldn't refuse. It isn't to do with money - you just get a feeling when a film is going to be good, and when I get that, I'll do it. You don't know why or what it is until you do the movie, but I'm usually right.

Never allow yourself to be bored.
If I'm not creating something, I get tired of myself, so I do painting, music, ceramics and photography. It gets boring doing one thing - I get restless when I'm acting all the time, so I like to jump from movies to music to the camera.

Surely one of his finest roles: Jeff shines as the Dude - or His Dudeness, Duder, El Duderino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing... (above with John Goodman in The Big Lebowski)

Keep your career in its proper perspective.
I always wanted to be a painter or a musician. Mostly that's what I'd rather be doing. I'd done about ten films before I decided I wanted to do the acting thing - which was late in my career.
Make anxiety your friend.
It never goes away, but you learn to dance with it. You try to get relaxed but use anxiety as a tool. If you're feeling worried you can magnify that and you can use that in the scene. You use it to help you: 'I've got to learn my lines, I've got to know these songs and these chord changes...' Anxiety helps you with that.
Be totally honest about yourself.
Being a sex symbol is all about honesty - that's not how I see myself at all, but I think the attractive men are the ones who show you who they are. They're not trying to hide aspects of themselves. They tell you how they feel. That's what I aspire to - being honest. Am I vain? Well, there's something vain about not having vanity, if you know what I'm saying.

Jeff has been married to Susan Geston for 32 years

Find people who look at things like you do.
I hate big egos on a film set and I always look for comrades. There are some people who you can just tell are up for it and approach it the same way; they're not too concerned with ego. Colin Farrell was like that on Crazy Heart - we had the same approach.
Try to approach work as the underdog.
I'd rather come in not having high expectations. There's a certain weight and pressure with awards and fame in general that you have to work with. But there's a downside to winning, too. I've been nominated for Oscars five times, and you would think that being an actor for as long as I've been, I could get up in front of people and give a speech - but no, I'm just as nervous as anyone. So it's kind of a relief not to win, although I'd be lying if I said it wouldn't be wonderful to get the Oscar.

The secret to a successful marriage is not getting a divorce.
If you're married you'll have tough times, and it's what you do when you reach those times. You draw a line, and then if your partner crosses that line you say, 'Well, is that it?' or, 'Am I going to enlarge my concept of what love is?' You open your heart. The next time you have a problem, you think, 'I can't lose this; it's too precious.'
Approach your work with joy.
It's the biggest lesson my father taught me. My mother and my father were amazing; they gave me a really cool foundation in life. They were wonderful examples of how to live. I got to work with my father twice as an adult, on Tucker and Blown Away, and the vibe was always fun.
Give something back.
One thing I'm really proud of is the work I do with the End Hunger Network. There are many homes in the U.S. where the mother has to tell her children they won't get dinner that night. They suffer spiritually, socially, in every way. It's hard to imagine, but the U.S. ranks last among the top 23 industrialised nations in how it takes care of its poor and its hungry.

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**buttmunch** · February 14th, 2010, 10:32 AM

Great attitude towards life, work, everything. He does not disappoint.

**Sylkyn** · February 14th, 2010, 11:18 AM

I have always and will always adore Jeff Bridges. He is absolutely the most charismatic guy in Hollywood. LOVE.

**WhateverLolaWants** · February 14th, 2010, 11:21 AM

He survived being box office poison for about ten years there, too...from the late 80s-early ninties. Not a lot of actors come back from that.

The Big Lebowski is one of the most oft quoted movies in this house...even from the kids (who haven't seen it yet

)

**Chalet** · February 14th, 2010, 11:22 AM

Agreed, Butt. Agreed.

I didn't say anything here, but I met him one month ago. Larger than life. I have seen and met quite a few movie actors, but he has MAJOR movie star quality and aura. It was like sunrays were bouncing around him. Broadest shoulders, looks way taller than they say he is, and so slim. A really lovely, engaging and casual guy, charming and elegant with a hint of mystery.

**Fancynancy** · February 14th, 2010, 11:38 AM

I love this guy! I have my fingers crossed that he's the winner Oscar night.

**GaPeach** · February 14th, 2010, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Chalet

Agreed, Butt. Agreed.

I didn't say anything here, but I met him one month ago. Larger than life. I have seen and met quite a few movie actors, but he has MAJOR movie star quality and aura. It was like sunrays were bouncing around him. Broadest shoulders, looks way taller than they say he is, and so slim. A really lovely, engaging and casual guy, charming and elegant with a hint of mystery.

it's so nice to hear something good about a actor I like for a change.

You never hear anything about him or his family, I didn't even know he was married

**Brookie** · February 14th, 2010, 12:38 PM

Wow - my admiration and respect for this guy just increased about 50-fold. Go, Jeff!!!

**MohandasKGanja** · February 14th, 2010, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by GaPeach

it's so nice to hear something good about a actor I like for a change.

You never hear anything about him or his family, I didn't even know he was married

I think he's been married for over 30 years. How about that for a Hollywood guy?

**Birdina** · February 14th, 2010, 01:15 PM

Wow, he's awesome. I really enjoyed his speech at the Golden Globe's, too. He really connected with each person as he was thanking them.

**Chalet** · February 14th, 2010, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by GaPeach

it's so nice to hear something good about a actor I like for a change.

You never hear anything about him or his family, I didn't even know he was married

Gorgeous couple. Gorgeous girls. Lucky man.

**GaPeach** · February 14th, 2010, 03:28 PM

^^ I've always thought he was a gorgeous man. I'd like for him to win the oscar too!

**LynnieD** · February 14th, 2010, 03:30 PM

Dude is awesome. Watch Fearless if you never have....

**Alysheba** · February 14th, 2010, 04:36 PM

Even describing him as awesome, doesn't do him justice. He has character in so many ways.

**Kathie_Moffett** · February 14th, 2010, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Chalet

Agreed, Butt. Agreed.

I didn't say anything here, but I met him one month ago. Larger than life. I have seen and met quite a few movie actors, but he has MAJOR movie star quality and aura. It was like sunrays were bouncing around him. Broadest shoulders, looks way taller than they say he is, and so slim. A really lovely, engaging and casual guy, charming and elegant with a hint of mystery.

WOW, Chalet! Lucky you!!

I've always adored Jeff Bridges. I think he should've won the Best Actor Oscar several times over already--particularly for "The Fisher King". That was one of the most brilliant performances I've ever seen on film.

I'm already an Oscar hater due to decades of so many bad decisions and unworthy, obviously politicized wins, so I'll lift my ban just enough to watch him win!!!