Actor Jeff Bridges celebrates backstage after he winning the best actor Oscar for his role in Crazy Heart
Jeff Bridges has revealed that he was “close to dying” after he contracted Covid while battling cancer in 2021.
The 72-year-old Big Lebowski star, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2020, admitted that he was ‘ready to go’ when he contracted Covid-19 while undergoing chemotherapy.
Speaking to People, Bridges recalled the near-death moment he experienced in January 2021 when his doctors tried to encourage the actor to fight.
The actor admitted that his chemo had affected his immune system and he simply had no barrier of protection against the virus. There was no Covid vaccine available at the time.
“I was pretty close to dying. The doctors kept telling me, ‘Jeff, you’ve got to fight. You’re not fighting.’ I was in surrender mode. I was ready to go. I was dancing with my mortality,” the actor explained.
“I had no defence. That’s what chemo does — it strips you of all your immune system. I had nothing to fight it,” he continued.
Bridges - who spent five months in hospital fighting Covid - went on to reveal that it was more testing than his other health issues. However, his time in hospital also allowed for him to spend more time with his loved ones.
“Covid made my cancer look like nothing,” the father of three continued.
Bridges’ recovery from the virus was made possible through convalescent plasma treatment and he has since been taking “baby steps” on his road to recovery.
The actor’s cancer is in remission and Bridges has been able to return to work. His latest role will be in the upcoming drama, The Old Man.
Bridges is best known by many for starring as The Dude in the 1998 film, The Big Lebowski. He’s also played roles in True Grit and Crazy Heart.
