“In a way only he could do it, Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges in his Dude persona announced Monday that he is ill with lymphoma. “As the Dude would say … New S**T has come to light,” the 70-year-old actor tweeted, referring to his starring role as a sweet stoner in the Coen brothers’ California cult classic “The Big Lebowski.” “I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma,” he revealed. “Although it is a serious disease, I feel fortunate that I have a great team of doctors and the prognosis is good.” Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which includes bone marrow and lymph nodes, and is part of the body’s germ-fighting network. Treatment usually involves chemotherapy and radiation. Bridges thanked people for their “prayers and wishes” and said he was “grateful for his friends and family.” He added: “While I have you, please remember to go vote. Because we are all in this together. Vote.org.” He signed the tweet: “Love Jeff.” As the Dude would say.. New S**T has come to light. I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma. 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.— Jeff Bridges (@TheJeffBridges) October 20, 2020 I’m profoundly grateful for the love and support from my family and friends.Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. And, while I have you, please remember to go vote. Because we are all in this together. https://t.co/6sAU4MYixlLove, Jeff— Jeff Bridges (@TheJeffBridges) October 20, 2020 Bridges, second son of the late actor Lloyd Bridges, made his film debut in the early 1970s. He has been nominated for Oscars seven times in a busy career that included “The Last Picture Show,” “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot,” “Starman,” “The Fabulous Baker Boys,” “The Fisher King,” “True Grit,” “The Giver,” and “Hell or High Water.” He nabbed an Oscar in 2010 for his performance as a country singer battling alcoholism in “Crazy Heart.” Bridges was bombarded on Twitter with quotes from “The Big Lebowski,” tips and inspirational messages from lymphoma survivors. Long-time New York Times film critic Janet Maslin told Bridges he “made the world a better place … thanks for being the beautiful guy you are and lighting up our screens since you were a baby.” Love and strength to you, Jeff. You make the world a better place. It owes you. Thanks for being the beautiful guy you are and lighting up our screens since you were a baby. (First official credit: “Infant at Train Station” in “The Company She Keeps,” 1951).— Janet Maslin (@JanetMaslin) October 20, 2020 This aggression will not stand, man.You’ve got this, Mr. Bridges. Be well.— Sleeping Giants (@slpng_giants) October 20, 2020 Oh no! The Earth needs you — Living in the Future’s Past was one of the best docs I’ve ever seen — and we are not giving you permission to leave.Please stay strong and pull through.Love you!— Carolyn Porco (@carolynporco) October 20, 2020 Dude, you had our back for so many years. Now we have your back.— Billy Jensen (@Billyjensen) October 20, 2020 The dude will be fine. I’m 20+ years into recovery from 4b hodgkin’s. The dude is a lot tougher than me. My life would not have been the same without you, please stick around ❤️— Alex Smith (@aosmith) October 20, 2020 Hodgkin’s survivor. It won’t be a fun process, but you will abide.— Laurence Lewis (@RealTurkana) October 20, 2020
