Jeff Bridges: A modern day Renaissance Man
The Dude has a new movie out today. It’s called The Giver. Has any individual of celebrity given us more in the last 40 years than Jeff Bridges? Best known as a master thespian for his iconic roles in film, Jeff is Hollywood royalty. But as Jeff would say in a way only he can — Acting is only part of the thing man.
Jeff Bridges is an actor, a musician, a painter, a potter, a photographer, a philospher and a philanthropist. I’ve long been an admirer and follower of Jeff Bridges away from the silver screen. Like Jeff told Howard Stern this past week, he likes to “jam” and “spin plates”. The dude engages life.
Despite his successes, Jeff admits his life is still filled with “strikes and gutters man.” Jeff likes to quote The Dude.
Jeff’s jammed with Bob Dylan, Michael McDonald, T-Bone Burnett, and now with his touring band, The Abiders. Yes, the man who’s played fictional musicians in The Fabulous Baker Boys and Crazy Heart is also a real, bona fide musician. He’s recorded two albums and now performs regularly. And he’s pretty fucking good at it. I caught a show at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles last year and loved it.
Visit Jeff’s website and you’ll see a number of his drawing and paintings. One of his more poignant creations came from a dream where he saw himself in a rowboat in a river filled with whirlpools that each contain a beautiful jewel and Jeff must resist the urge to reach for the jewel, or he’ll be sucked in. It’s about choices. He painted it and called it ‘Jeff makes a decision.’
Another of Jeff’s artistic pursuits is photography. He can be seen on all of his film sets capturing candid behind the scenes shots with his signature Widelux F8 camera.
A few years ago Jeff took up pottery and started making these little ceramic heads. He now gives these out to people as tokens of appreciation and a way to deepen his personal connection to him. How Zen of him — which brings us to yet another spoke, in Jeff’s wheel of life. Philosophy.
Shortly after The Big Lebowski came out, Jeff met Bernie Glassman, a gentle Jew who adopted the teaching of Buddhism and became a Zen Master. Bernie pointed out how spiritual The Dude character actually was in a practical, life affirming manner. He raved about him within the Buddhist community. The two became fast friends and collaborated on a book called, The Dude and The Zen Master. I attended a special evening with the two of them to celebrate the book’s release, but more importantly, to celebrate life. They shared a number of intimate stories and philosophies, including a new perspective on the children’s song, “Row, row, row your boat.” Life is a gentle journey — keep calm and keep your head up. And enjoy the ride.
Buddhism and Dudeism just seem to go together man.
No matter you’re religion or philosophy, you can’t have a righetous wordly view without a deep concern for others. One of Jeff’s philanthropic passions is ending childhood hunger in America. He’s an activist with No Kid Hungry and frequently participates in their campaigns.
Not only does Jeff Bridges do a lot of things, he does a lot of things extraordinarly well. Jeff walks the walk. The Dude is a rennaissance man.
The Dude and I — and photobombing us, the real life Dude (Jeff Dowd) who inspired The Big Lebowski.