Jeff Bridges References ‘Tough Times’ During Critics’ Choice Awards Speech

After being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Jeff Bridges has been candid about the ups and downs with his health.

In October 2020, Bridges took to social media to break down his diagnosis. “As the Dude would say.. New S—T has come to light,” the actor tweeted while channeling his The Big Lebowski character. “I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma. Although it is a serious disease, I feel fortunate that I have a great team of doctors and the prognosis is good.”

At the time, the True Grit star confirmed that he was currently in treatment, writing, “I’m profoundly grateful for the love and support from my family and friends. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.”

After going into remission, Bridges revealed that he went through some challenges when he tested positive for COVID-19.

“Lots has gone down since my last installment. My cancer is in remission — the 9″ x 12″ mass has shrunk down to the size of a marble,” he wrote via Twitter in September 2021. “Covid kicked my ass pretty good, but I’m double vaccinated and feeling much better now. I heard that the vaccine can help folks with [long-term COVID]. Maybe that’s the cause of my quick improvement.”

The Golden Globe winner noted that he was “working out with a great therapist” while on the road to recovery. “We’ve been concentrating on getting me off of the oxygen assistance, which until recently I’ve been needing to walk around,” he explained. “The sound it makes reminds me of Darth Vader.”

According to Bridges, it was important for him to build up his strength to walk his daughter Hayley Bridges down the aisle on her wedding day. Following Hayley’s nuptials to Justin Shane that same year, the Oscar winner recalled the process of being able to walk at the ceremony.

“The first goal was how long can I stand up,” he recalled during an interview with The Independent in November 2022. Jeff said he was only able to stand for 45 seconds at the time. After working with a trainer, he was able to increase the amount of steps he took and stabilized his breathing while using oxygen assistance.

“Finally, one day I said, ‘Maybe I can do it, you know.’ And it turns out I not only got to walk her down the aisle, but I got to do the wedding dance. That was terrific,” he added.

Scroll down for his candid comments about his health battle:

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Explaining the Diagnosis

“As the Dude would say.. New S—T has come to light,” he tweeted in October 2020. “I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma. Although it is a serious disease, I feel fortunate that I have a great team of doctors and the prognosis is good.”

Credit: Drew Altizer Photography/Shutterstock

Going Through Treatment

Shortly after announcing his diagnosis, the Hell or High Water actor offered an update on his health.

“I want to thank you all for reaching out during this time, it feels good getting all the well wishes and love,” he captioned a post of him in the hospital. “This cancer thing is bringing on feelings of preciousness, and gratitude, and good old fashion love, and lots of it, big time.”

He continued: “I’m feeling so much of it comin’ my way, and man, I appreciate it. It’s contagious, all this love, like some kind of positive virus. This cancer is making me appreciate my mortality, appreciate impermanence,” he wrote. “I’m realizing, if I have s—t to share, now’s the time.”

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In Remission

Nearly one year after confirming his health issues, Jeff shared that he was in remission.

“My cancer is in remission — the 9″ x 12″ mass has shrunk down to the size of a marble,” he wrote in September 2021, noting that his battle with coronavirus “is in the rear view mirror” after he contracted the disease earlier that year. “Covid kicked my ass pretty good, but I’m double vaccinated and feeling much better now. I heard that the vaccine can help folks with [long-term COVID]. Maybe that’s the cause of my quick improvement.”

Credit: Scott Kirkland/Shutterstock

Dealing With Complications

During an interview in May 2022, the Tron: Legacy actor said he spent almost five months in the hospital when his health issues were at their worst.

“I had no defenses. That’s what chemo does — it strips you of all your immune system. I had nothing to fight it. COVID made my cancer look like nothing,” he told People. “I was pretty close to dying. The doctors kept telling me, ‘Jeff, you’ve got to fight. You’re not fighting.’ I was in surrender mode. I was ready to go. I was dancing with my mortality.”

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Major Milestones

In November 2022, the California native recalled working with a trainer to walk his daughter down the aisle, telling The Independent“Finally, one day I said, ‘Maybe I can do it, you know.’ And it turns out I not only got to walk her down the aisle, but I got to do the wedding dance. That was terrific.”

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Reflecting on His Battle

The True Grit actor opened up about his lymphoma battle while on the red carpet at the 2023 Critics’ Choice awards. “I didn’t feel like I was doing too much fighting. Well, I thought I was being called home, you know?” he told Access Hollywood in January 2023. “I was in the surrender mode mostly, and I suppose that’s a type of fighting, fighting to surrender.”

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Doing His Best

While accepting his Lifetime Achievement award at the 2023 Critics’ Choice ceremony, Bridges subtly referenced his health scare with a quote from his movie, Starman.

“You are your best when things are at their worst,” he recalled. “And I love that especially in these days we’re going through some tough times, guys. Right? And we could use our best.”