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Brokaw: Jeff Bridges is ‘The Old Man’ in every way

By Francine Brokaw - Special to the Daily Herald | Jun 1, 2022

Courtesy photo

“The Old Man” starring Jeff Bridges will air on FX starting June 16, 2022. The series will also stream on Hulu.

The new FX drama series, “The Old Man,” stars Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow, Amy Brenneman and more in a story about following one’s instincts and beliefs. Taken from the novel, Bridges plays Dan Chase, a venerable CIA operative who left the agency decades earlier with a boatload — figuratively — of money, and has been living in seclusion. When his location is discovered, he goes on the run to avoid being captured or killed. As the story unfolds, viewers learn about his past and what it means for his present and future, as well as the people around him.

Bridges began filming before being diagnosed with cancer. He took over a year off from work for treatment and, rather than recast the role, production halted until Bridges could return.

“I feel terrific,” Bridges said in a virtual press conference. “I went through about a year and a half of this bizarre dream and then came back, and what added to the dream effect was that there were all the people who I had just left a year and a half ago, and I said, ‘What happened? This is bizarre.’ But I’m feeling terrific, and it’s great to be back with the gang.”

Fans of the award-winning actor may be surprised to learn “The Old Man” is Bridges’ first foray into television. “If you ever watched ‘Sea Hunt’ and saw an eight-year-old kid that was probably me. I am a product of nepotism. My dad (Lloyd Bridges) set this whole thing in motion and I remember being an eight-year-old kid, him sitting me on his bed and teaching me all the basics of acting.”

When asked why he decided to move to TV, he said, “One of my concerns was about how different it would be than making a movie, and it is absolutely no different, it is the same thing. You have enough time to do your work. But it is an exceptionally good one with the artists that have been assembled.”

Brenneman added that this series is more like a long movie, rather than being the 24-episode seasons long common on network television. “The Old Man” is a six-part series, with hopes for a second season in the near future.

Bridges won the Academy Award for his leading performance in the 2009 film “Crazy Heart.” He has been nominated for several other Oscars and awards. Along with his father, Jeff’s brother Beau and nephew Jordan have also carved out their own successful acting careers. “The Old Man” premieres June 16 on FX.

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