Jeff Bridges is one of the most accomplished actors working today. He first came into prominence in the 1970s, and since then he has maintained a stellar career as one of Hollywood’s best actors. Whether he is starring in a small, quiet film or a big budget adventure, whether playing a serious role or a comedic role, Bridges can always be depended on to give an excellent and compelling performance.
Even after all of these years, Bridges continues to give performances that rank among his very best. He has helped to create some compelling and iconic film characters that will be remembered for years to come. Here are some of Jeff Bridges most memorable movie roles.
Arlington Road
Arlington Road is an intense and unique thriller about the unexpected danger that could be lurking in a seemingly perfect suburban setting. Bridges plays a widower raising his son in a quiet neighborhood whose peaceful life is disrupted when he begins to suspect his new neighbors are hiding some deadly secrets.
What could have been a paint-by-numbers thriller is elevated thanks to its talented cast. Bridges is especially effective as the mild-mannered man trying to deal with the growing tension of the situation. His sincerity sells the film up until its twist ending.
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
Jeff Bridges and Clint Eastwood seems like a pretty ideal cinematic pairing and Thunderbolt and Lightfoot proves that to be true. The fun and easy-going crime-comedy stars the two film legends as a pair of fun-loving criminals planning a daring heist.
The film is surprisingly hilarious and the crime elements are highly entertaining. But it is the chemistry of the two leads which makes it a real winner. Eastwood shows off his usual effortless swagger while Bridges steals the show as the younger, wilder man. They are a match made in movie heaven.
Hell Or High Water
At this point in his career, Bridges could play the kind of grizzled, Old West lawman in his sleep. However, Hell or High Water shows that he can also infuse the role with a certain nuance no other actor can. The story follows two desperate brothers who set out on a crime spree to rob multiple banks across the country. Bridges plays the lawman on their trail.
While the whole cast is stellar, Bridges is the highlight. His relationship with his partner, played by Gil Birmingham, is layered and interesting. His depiction of a man at the end of his career is honest. But Bridges is most memorable with the emotion he brings through in small moments with this man who tries to keep his emotions in check.
The Last Picture Show
The Last Picture Show is one of the first movies Bridges starred in and the first film to get him nominated for an Oscar. Considered one of the greatest movies of the ’70s, the film details the lives of young recent high school graduates looking to escape their lives in a small, dying Texas town.
In another fine ensemble, Bridges is once again the standout as Duane Jackson. Playing the fun and popular boy from school, Bridges is heartbreaking as Duane puts on a brave face knowing how poor his future prospects are. It is a beautiful and haunting film.
Starman
John Carpenter is mostly known as a master of the horror genre, but he tired his hand at romance with this film, albeit with a science-fiction twist. The film stars Bridges as an alien who comes to earth and takes the form of a widow’s dead husband. Together, she tries to keep him safe from the authorities as they begin to fall in love.
The man from another planet who doesn’t understand the customs of earth is a character we have seen before. It can very easily become very goofy, but in Bridges capable hands, he greats a sympathetic and relatable alien. His spaceman performance was even good enough to score him an Oscar nomination.
Crazy Heart
Bridges finally won his first Oscar after many nominations in this small country music film. Bridges plays Otis “Bad” Blake, a former country music star who is now a washed-up alcoholic relegated to performing at dirty saloons. His life begins to turn around after he meets a younger single mother who helps him on his road to redemption.
Bridges, a talented musician in his own right, is utterly convincing as the aging musician. He performs the tunes effectively, having a sense of melancholy. He also gives a realistic and painless depiction of an alcoholic training to get out from under his addiction. It’s a charming, funny and sad performance that is one of his finest.
TRON
TRON may not be a movie that’s aged particularly well in terms of its effects, but for its time, it was quite groundbreaking. Bridges plays a computer hacker who is sucked into a virtual world where he is forced to perform in a series of bizarre, futuristic gladiatorial games as he searches for a way to get home.
Bridges makes for a fun action hero in one of his first roles of that kind. Once again, he helps to ground an outlandish premise and setting with his genuine performance. He displays his every-man qualities to perfect effect while carrying the leading man role with ease.
Iron Man
Bridges has the honor of being the very first villain of the MCU as Obadiah Stane in the first Iron Man film. The story of Tony Stark building a suit of armor which he uses to fight evil and injustice kicked off one of the biggest franchises of all time. As Stane, Bridges plays Starks former mentor turned megalomaniac.
It’s a lot of fun seeing Bridges in the villain role and he proves to be a memorable foe. He walks a fine line between fun scenery-chewing and going too over the top. And his chemistry with Downey Jr. helps make his treachery that much more effective.
True Grit
It would take a very brave actor to take one of John Wayne’s most famous roles and try to make it his own. Of course, Bridges proves to be more than up to the challenge. In this remake from the Coen Brothers, Bridges plays Rooster Cogburn, a famed US Marshal who is hired by a young girl to track down the man that killed her father.
The movie is a much more compelling and entertaining version of the tale and Bridges also improves on the role of Cogburn. He brings a lot of humor to the surly, drunken cowboy and when the gun is drawn, he harnesses his badass side to great effect.
The Big Lebowski
Bridges’ first collaboration with the Coen Brothers is a career highlight for everyone involved. The Big Lebowski has become one of the most beloved comedies of all time and Bridges’ performance of The Dude is by far his most iconic. The Dude is a lazy, pot smoking bowler who finds himself the very reluctant participant in a kidnapping scheme which includes porn stars, mistaken identities, and nihilists.
Lebowski is perfection as the lovable but dim hero. He sheds away his serious, leading man persona and fully embraces his goofball side. It is a classic performance that remains hilarious no matter how many times you rewatch it. The Dude will go down as one of the greatest movie characters of all time.
