Summary
Jeff Bridges explains what it was like to filmThe Old Manwith a tumor in a new health update. Bridges received a cancer diagnosis back in 2020 when a tumor in his body was discovered, and he was subsequently diagnosed with lymphoma. About a year later, he announced that he was in remission. Bridges' first performance after his lymphoma diagnosis was inThe Old Manseason 1, which debuted in 2022.The Old Manseason 2 has been confirmed and will release its first two episodes on Thursday, September 12.
During an interview at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour (viaEntertainment Weekly), Bridges spoke about the process of filmingThe Old Manwith a tumor. The actor explained that in the first season ofThe Old Man, he was tasked with “doing these fight scenes” all the while having “a 9-inch by 12-inch tumor in [his] body.” Check out the full quote from Bridges below:
I’m feeling great now. What is so bizarre, to me anyway, in the first season when I was doing these fight scenes, I had a 9-inch by 12-inch tumor in my body, in my stomach, that didn’t hurt at all. So that’s surprising to me.
Why The Old Man Is One Of Jeff Bridges’ Best Roles
The Old Man Gives Bridges A Great Part To Explore
Filming with an active tumor is an impressive feat for the actor, especially because his cancer diagnosis was relatively new at the time he was working onThe Old Man. Bridges was likely highly motivated to do well in this role, as the series was something of an acting comeback for the performer. Before the action show, Bridges had a brief hiatus from acting. His last role beforeThe Old Manwas back in 2018, with his part inBad Times at the El Royale.
Not only did Bridges return to acting withThe Old Man, but he did so with immense success. As he said later in his recent interview, he is “an old man, I don’t have to play it.” That is to say that playing retired CIA agent Dan Chase feels like a natural progression inBridges' career, as the septuagenarian has aged elegantly into the role. His quiet yet powerful performance in the one-man army series feels like a great next step in what has been a fantastic overall career, makingThe Old Manone of his best roles.
As Bridges maintains good health, his career is also accelerating beyondThe Old Man. He is involved in the major sequel projectTron: Ares, which is currently set for release on August 15, 2025. He also stars as the eponymous monster in theBeowulfepicGrendel, which features a talented cast including Bryan Cranston, Sam Elliot, Thomasin McKenzie, and Dave Bautista.The Old Manseason 2may be the next project from Bridges, but it is certainly not his last as he continues his career through his twilight years.
One of Bridges' best-known movies is the originalTron,and he previously returned for the 2010 sequelTron: Legacy.
The Old Manseason 2 premieres on FX at 10pm on September 12, and will be available on Hulu the next day.
The Old Man
Cast
Premiering on FX in 2022, The Old Man is a Thriller and Drama series starring Jeff Bridges. The film sees Bridges playing Dan Chase, an ex-CIA operative and war veteran that kills an intruder that enters his home and then goes into hiding to avoid the law.
