Everything Jeff Bridges Has Said About His Lymphoma Battle: ‘COVID made my cancer look small.’
Jeff Bridges has been open about his health struggles since being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Bridges resorted to social media in October 2020 to explain his diagnosis. “As the Dude would say… New S—T has come to light,” the actor wrote, mimicking his character from The Big Lebowski. “I was diagnosed with Lymphoma. Although it is a terrible disease, I am fortunate to have a superb team of specialists and a favorable prognosis.”
At the time, the True Grit star acknowledged that he was still in treatment, saying, “I’m truly grateful for the love and support from my family and friends. “I appreciate your prayers and well wishes.”
Bridges said that after coming into remission, he faced some difficulties after testing positive for COVID-19.
“A lot has changed since my last installment. “My cancer has gone into remission – the 9′′ x 12′′ mass has shrunk down to the size of a marble,” he tweeted in September 2021. “Covid kicked my ass pretty badly, but I’m double vaccinated and feeling much better today. I’ve heard that immunization can benefit those with [chronic COVID]. Perhaps this is the reason for my rapid improvement.”
The Golden Globe winner remarked that he was “working out with a terrific therapist” while on the path to recovery. “We’ve been focused on getting me off of the oxygen aid, which I’ve been having to walk around until recently,” he explained. “It creates a sound similar to Darth Vader.”
Bridges believed he needed to train to escort his daughter Hayley Bridges down the aisle on her wedding day. Following her marriage to Justin Shane that same year, Hayley recalled the process of being able to walk at the Oscars.
“The first goal was to see how long I could stand up,” he explained to The Independent in November 2022. Jeff stated that he could only stand for 45 seconds at the time. He increased the number of steps he walked and stabilized his breathing while utilizing oxygen assistance after working with a trainer.
“Eventually, I said to myself, ‘Maybe I can do it, you know.'” And I got to do the wedding dance and escort her down the aisle. “That was fantastic,” he added.
Continue reading for his open remarks about his health battle:
“New S—T has come to light, as the Dude would say,” he tweeted in October 2020. “I was diagnosed with Lymphoma. Although it is a terrible disease, I am fortunate to have a superb team of specialists and a favorable prognosis.”
The Hell or High Water star updated his condition shortly after disclosing his diagnosis.
“I want to thank everyone for reaching out during this time. It feels amazing getting all the well wishes and love,” he wrote in the caption of a photo of himself in the hospital. “This cancer thing is causing feelings of preciousness, appreciation, and good old-fashioned love, and a lot of it.”
He said: “I’m feeling a lot of it coming my way, and I appreciate it. All this love is spreading like some kind of positive infection. This cancer has taught me to respect my mortality and the fleeting nature of life. “He put pen to paper. “I recognize that now is the moment to share whatever s—t I have.”
Jeff announced that he was remission about a year after revealing his health difficulties.
“My cancer is in remission – the 9″ x 12″ mass has shrunk down to the size of a marble,” he said in September 2021, adding that his struggle with coronavirus was “in the rearview mirror” after contracting it earlier than a year. “Covid kicked my ass, but I’m now twice vaccinated and feeling much better. I’ve heard that immunization can benefit those with [chronic COVID]. Perhaps this is the reason for my rapid improvement.”
In a May 2022 interview, the Tron: Legacy actor revealed that he spent nearly five months in the hospital while his health problems were at their worst.
“I didn’t have any defenses. Chemo does exactly that: it depletes your immune system. I didn’t have anything to combat it with. COVID made my cancer appear insignificant, “He told People about it. “I was on the verge of death. ‘Jeff, you have to fight,’ the doctors kept urging me. You’re not battling.’ I was ready to give up. I was prepared to leave. I was playing with my mortality.”
The California native remembered preparing with a trainer to accompany his daughter down the aisle in November 2022, telling The Independent, “Finally, one day I said to myself, ‘You know, maybe I can do it.’ And I got to do the wedding dance and escort her down the aisle. That was fantastic.”
On the red carpet at the 2023 Critics’ Choice Awards, the True Grit actor opened up about his cancer struggle. “I didn’t feel like I was fighting a lot. “I thought I was being called home, you know?” he explained to Access Hollywood in January 2023. “I was mostly in surrender mode, and I suppose that’s a type of fighting, fighting to surrender.”
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.
“When things are at their worst, you are at your greatest,” he recalled. “And I love that, especially these days we’re going through some tough times, guys. Right? And we could put our best foot forward.”
