Jeff Bridges, the “Old Man” star, revealed that he found cancer easier to deal with than COVID-19. Bridges, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2020 and was undergoing chemotherapy at the time, contracted the coronavirus and experienced the impact of having no immune system to fight it off. In an interview with AARP The Magazine, Bridges spoke candidly about his experience, stating, “For me, cancer was nothing compared to the COVID.”
During his battle with COVID-19, Bridges was also dealing with a large tumor in his body. He contemplated his own mortality and believed he would never be able to work again. However, with the support of his wife, Susan Gaston, Bridges was able to recover and get back on his feet. He credits his wife for fiercely advocating to keep him off a ventilator, as studies were suggesting that mechanical ventilation could lead to higher death rates in COVID-19 patients.
Bridges also revealed that he had been filming fight scenes for “The Old Man” without even knowing about his cancer, which has since shrunk significantly. Although he announced his remission in September 2021, the journey to recovery was challenging. He had to set small goals for himself, such as standing for longer periods or walking short distances, in order to make progress.
Despite experiencing a second bout of COVID-19, Bridges stated that it was not as severe as the first time. He expressed his excitement about starting filming for the second season of “The Old Man” and how it invigorates him and contributes to his overall health. Bridges feels grateful for his supportive cast, who have played a significant role in his recovery.