Jeff Bridges announced he is battling a potentially life-threatening illness Monday night, but he did so by invoking his famously unflappable character The Dude from The Big Lebowski.
“As the Dude would say… New S**T has come to light. I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma,” the Oscar-winning Crazy Heart actor wrote on Twitter. “Although it is a serious disease, I feel fortunate that I have a great team of doctors and the prognosis is good. I’m starting treatment and will keep you posted on my recovery.”
The 70-year-old actor added a second message to fans, using the opportunity to talk about something else that was important to him.
Bridges is currently working on the TV series The Old Man, a thriller about a retired spy living off in the wilderness who must go on the run after being marked for assassination. The show, which Bridges is executive producing, is set to debut on FX on Hulu in 2021.
Hulu, FX and Touchstone Pictures released a statement saying he would have their full support as he undergoes treatment: “Our thoughts go out to Jeff and his family during this challenging time and they have our love and support. We wish him a safe and full recovery. And, as Jeff always says, ‘We are all in this together.’ Jeff, we are all in this together with you.”
His statement was met with thousands of replies from well-wishing fans and fellow actors.
Many shared their own stories of recovery from the illness, and countless supporters posted memes and photos from The Big Lebowski that reflected the carefree ethos of The Dude.
The message was clear: Abide.
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