In his recently released flick, Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges plays an ageing country and Western singer who wins the heart of a young journalist who interviews him.
And, in an example of life imitating art, the irrepressible Jeff Bridges stole this journalist’s heart during our interview this week.
The veteran actor may have celebrated his 60th birthday this year, but he can still charm the ladies – as I found out when I talked to him about his latest movie in the very swanky Soho Hotel in London.
Nominated for an Oscar for the fifth time this year, Bridges is notorious for being one of the most talented, yet unrewarded, actors in Hollywood.
Picking up a Golden Globe last month for his portrayal of alcoholic country singer Bad Blake in Crazy Heart, Bridges said in his acceptance speech: “You’re really screwing up my under-appreciated status here”.
This raises the question whether he’d actually be happy to pick up the Best Actor Oscar in next month’s Academy Awards.
“It’s not important for me, but it would bring more attention to the movie,” says Bridges, looking impossibly cool in his jeans and cowboy boots.
He talks to me like I’m the only person in the room, even though there are six other journalists looking on, eagerly awaiting their few precious minutes with the star.
At the Globes, Bridges also thanked his actor father, Lloyd, for convincing him to follow him into showbusiness – although he is not as keen for any of his three daughters to walk the same path.
“I took it differently than my Dad. He was so pro-active about the showbiz thing, and encouraged all of us to go into it,” he says “One of the toughest things in acting is getting your first job, but I’m a product of nepotism. Dad got me my first job when I was just six months old. So I was glad I listened to the old man, but as a kid I remember not enjoying having a famous parent. As a kid you want to melt into the crowd”.
Unlike his womanising character Bad Blake, Bridges has been married to wife Susan for 33 years. And with a house full of women, he adopts the protective role.
“With my three daughters I decided I’d let them find their own way. But now they’re in their mid-20s and they are saying ‘I wonder what I should do…’ And I’m like ‘well you could always act, it’s in your blood’.”
Maggie Gyllenhaal stars as the journalist who falls for Bridge’s character in the hit flick, and Colin Farrell stars as his young protege who is taking over the country and western music scene.
Although they only filmed together for a week, Bridges grew very fond of our homegrown star.
“I worked with Colin for four or five days, but we hit it off, right off the bat,” he says.
“We approached the work in a similar way, and got along great. It was a joy working with him. I’ve admired him since the first time I saw him in Tigerland, and I’ve been keeping up with his career. I also loved In Bruges, Jeez that was a great movie”.
Known to be a handy party guest if a karaoke kicks off, Colin belts out a few great country numbers in the flick.
“Well, y’know, singing together is a great way to strike up a relatonship with your fellow actors. When you harmonise, that all falls into place really well. I’d love to visit him in Ireland, I’ve never been before, so it would be fun to do”.
With an extensive filmography that includes The Last Picture Show, The Fabulous Baker Boys, and The Big Lebowski, Bridges is revered among Hollywood.
Stepping out of the lift after our interview, I overhear Scottish actor Ewan McGregor talking to Bridge’s assistant: “Is Jeff here? What’s his schedule like? Can I go up and say ‘Hi’,” pleads Ewan, eager as a starstruck teenager.
So it’s not just the ladies who want a piece of the legend that is Jeff Bridges.
