Career Timeline of Jeff Bridges: Major Achievements and Milestones

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Jeff Bridges

Discover the career path of Jeff Bridges, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jeff Bridges is a highly acclaimed American actor celebrated for his prominent roles in both film and television. His career, extending over seven decades, has garnered him numerous awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. He has also received nominations for BAFTA and Primetime Emmy Awards. His significant contributions to the entertainment industry were further acknowledged with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2019, solidifying his status as a respected figure in Hollywood.

1970: Sold Songs to Quincy Jones

In 1970, Jeff Bridges sold two songs to Quincy Jones, who used "Lost in Space" for the soundtrack of the film John and Mary and had Bridges contribute vocals.

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1980: Played Guitar with Kris Kristofferson During Heaven's Gate Filming

While working on the 1980 film Heaven's Gate, Jeff Bridges played guitar with Kris Kristofferson between takes, influencing his later role in Crazy Heart.

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1982: Voiced Prince Lír in The Last Unicorn

In 1982, Jeff Bridges voiced Prince Lír in the animated film The Last Unicorn, singing two songs including a duet with Mia Farrow.

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1983: Hosted Saturday Night Live with Beau Bridges

In 1983, Jeff Bridges hosted NBC's Saturday Night Live with his brother, Beau Bridges.

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1984: Founded End Hunger Network

In 1984, Jeff Bridges and other entertainment industry leaders founded the End Hunger Network to combat childhood hunger.

1984: Started Taking Photographs on Film Sets

In 1984, Jeff Bridges began taking photographs on film sets during Starman, influenced by co-star Karen Allen, using his Widelux F8 camera.

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January 1, 2000: Released Debut Album Be Here Soon

On January 1, 2000, Jeff Bridges released his debut album Be Here Soon.

2003: Published Pictures: Photographs by Jeff Bridges

In 2003, Jeff Bridges published a book entitled Pictures: Photographs by Jeff Bridges, featuring photographs he had taken.

Pictures by Jeff Bridges
Pictures by Jeff Bridges

2005: Performed at Lebowski Fest

In 2005, Jeff Bridges, known as "The Dude" in the film The Big Lebowski, appeared at a Lebowski Fest in Los Angeles, singing the film's theme song written by Bob Dylan, "Man in Me".

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2009: Acted in The Men Who Stare at Goats

In 2009, Jeff Bridges starred in the satirical comedy The Men Who Stare at Goats alongside George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, and Kevin Spacey.

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January 15, 2010: Performed 'I Don't Know' on The Tonight Show

On January 15, 2010, Jeff Bridges performed the song "I Don't Know" from Crazy Heart on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.

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February 2010: Sang on Charity Single Remake of We Are the World

In February 2010, Jeff Bridges was among the nearly 80 musicians who sang on the charity-single remake of We Are the World.

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October 24, 2010: Appeared at Bridge School Benefit Concert

On October 24, 2010, Jeff Bridges appeared at Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit concert and played a set with singer-songwriter Neko Case.

November 2010: Became Spokesman for No Kid Hungry Campaign

In November 2010, Jeff Bridges became the spokesman for the No Kid Hungry campaign of the organization Share our Strength, aimed at ending childhood hunger in the United States by 2015.

December 18, 2010: Hosted Saturday Night Live

On December 18, 2010, Jeff Bridges hosted NBC's Saturday Night Live. This appearance marked a record for the longest gap between hosting appearances on SNL, with 27 years between his first appearance in 1983 and this one.

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April 19, 2011: Signed Recording Contract with Blue Note Records

On April 19, 2011, it was announced that Jeff Bridges had signed a recording contract with Blue Note Records/EMI Music Group.

August 16, 2011: Released Second Album Jeff Bridges

On August 16, 2011, Jeff Bridges released his second album, Jeff Bridges, working with producer T Bone Burnett.

November 5, 2011: Played Austin City Limits

On November 5, 2011, Jeff Bridges played Austin City Limits in support of his album, Jeff Bridges.

2013: Received Infinity Award for Photography

In 2013, Jeff Bridges received an Infinity Award for his photos from the International Center of Photography in New York.

2013: Starred in R.I.P.D. and wrote The Dude and the Zen Master

In 2013, Jeff Bridges starred in the action comedy R.I.P.D. alongside Ryan Reynolds, which was a box office and critical failure. In the same year, he also wrote The Dude and the Zen Master with Bernie Glassman, exploring parallels between "The Dude" from The Big Lebowski and Zen Buddhism.

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2015: Sang on 'Make Our Garden Grow' and released Sleeping Tapes

In 2015, Jeff Bridges sang on the album Strangers Again, performing a duet with Judy Collins of the song "Make Our Garden Grow" from Candide by Leonard Bernstein. The same year, he released an ambient/spoken-word album entitled Sleeping Tapes, with all proceeds going to his charity No Kid Hungry.

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2015: Supported Obama's Initiative to End Childhood Hunger

In 2015, Jeff Bridges supported President Obama's initiative to End Childhood Hunger.

2015: Voiced The Aviator in The Little Prince

In 2015, Jeff Bridges voiced The Aviator in the animated film The Little Prince, which is based on the 1943 children's novella of the same name.

2017: Acted in The Only Living Boy in New York and Kingsman: The Golden Circle

In 2017, Jeff Bridges acted in the romantic drama The Only Living Boy in New York with Callum Turner and Kate Beckinsale, and also in the spy action comedy Kingsman: The Golden Circle starring Taron Egerton and Colin Firth.

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2018: Acted in Bad Times at the El Royale

In 2018, Jeff Bridges acted in the neo-noir ensemble thriller Bad Times at the El Royale with Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, and Jon Hamm.

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2019: Published Jeff Bridges: Pictures Volume Two

In 2019, Jeff Bridges published Jeff Bridges: Pictures Volume Two, which is a follow-up book featuring his photographs.

Jeff Bridges: Pictures Volume Two
Jeff Bridges: Pictures Volume Two

2019: Presented with the Cecil B. DeMille Award

In 2019, Jeff Bridges was presented with the Cecil B. DeMille Award for his contributions to films.

2020: Partnered with Breedlove Guitars

In 2020, Jeff Bridges partnered with Breedlove Guitars to release his signature Oregon Concerto Bourbon CE with "All In This Together" scrawled across the fretboard.

2022: Starred in The Old Man

Starting in 2022, Jeff Bridges starred in the FX drama thriller series The Old Man opposite John Lithgow, earning nominations for awards.

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June 2024: Cast as God in Carnival: At the End of Days

In June 2024, Jeff Bridges was cast as God in the upcoming comedy film Carnival: At the End of Days.

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2024: Received Chaplin Gala Award and announced to reprise role in Tron: Ares

In 2024, Jeff Bridges received the annual Chaplin Gala Award at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. Also in 2024, it was announced that Bridges would be reprising his role as Kevin Flynn in Tron: Ares.

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2025: Featured on Japanese Breakfast's song 'Men in Bars'

In 2025, Jeff Bridges shared a verse and chorus on the song "Men in Bars" from Japanese Breakfast's album For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women).

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