Jeff Bridges Underwent Training To Walk His Daughter Down The Aisle On Her Wedding Day

Nov 16, 2022 by apost team

Jeff Bridges is one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation. As the recipient of numerous awards, honors and accolades, it’s no surprise that Bridges has maintained a successful career for the majority of his life. Along with that, he has also found everlasting love with his longtime wife.

Bridges was born on Dec. 4, 1949, in Los Angeles, California, into a home of celebrities. He is the son of actor Lloyd Bridges and actress and writer Dorothy Bridges. Bridges’ older brother, Beau, is also an actor. Growing up with such a talented and esteemed family, Bridges learned the ins and outs of the entertainment industry early on, touring alongside his father for stage productions and even appearing alongside him and Beau in the television series "Sea Hunt."

Bridges’ career only escalated from that point on, as he went on to star in a plethora of critically acclaimed productions. A handful of the many films Bridges has starred in include "Crazy Heart," "True Grit," "The Big Lebowski" and "Iron Man."

Bridges has been a popular figure in the acting industry for several decades now, having first made his way to the big screen when he was just a baby. He has stayed busy over the years, acting in a handful of films and TV series and even releasing his own music. His wife, Susan Geston, is someone who also has experience in the entertainment industry as she had a brief acting and producing career. She appeared in "Forbidden Zone" in 1980 and was an associate producer on "Cold Feet" in 1989.

In an interview with the Oprah Winfrey Network, Bridges talked about the first time he met Geston in 1974. Back then, Bridges was already an established actor and was filming a new movie, "Rancho Deluxe," in Montana. Bridges first spotted Geston when he and the rest of the cast were filming in a hot tub. As he was filming his scenes, Bridges became enamored with Geston, who was a waitress at the time. According to the Daily Mail, the pair began dating shortly after.

For a brief moment, it seemed like the pair wouldn’t make it, as Bridges originally had no intention of settling down and starting a family, but he ultimately didn’t want to lose Geston and their budding relationship. Bridges recalled thinking: “I can’t let this woman go.” 

The couple has remained very devoted to one another ever since. On June 5, 1977, Bridges and Geston tied the knot, just five days after Bridges proposed to Geston. “I realized how wonderful marriage is,” Bridges said. 

They have three daughters: Isabelle Annie, Jessica Lily "Jessie,” and Hayley Roselouise.

While the actor has had his fair share of success, he has also faced a few hardships during his lifetime. In October 2020, he announced that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma. Almost a year later, Bridges said his cancer was in remission.

Following his diagnosis, he underwent chemotherapy by infusion followed by oral chemo.

He then faced another health challenge in January 2021 when he contracted COVID-19. Since he had a weak immune system caused by his chemo sessions, he said he was close to dying while dealing with his COVID-19 bout.

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"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," he told PEOPLE in an interview in May 2022.  

But after Bridges had been diagnosed with cancer of the lymphatic system, it had become a challenge to stand up for a long time. So when his daughter Hayley decided to get married, he knew he should walk him down the aisle.

In an interview with the Independent, Bridges revealed he hired a personal trainer to make sure he would be able to stand longer than usual. But the results exceeded his expectations as he was able to do a wedding dance with her, too. She got married in July 2022.

“Finally, one day I said, ‘Maybe I can do it, you know.’ And it turns out I not only got to walk her down the aisle, but I got to do the wedding dance (to Ray Charles’s ‘Ain’t That Love’). That was terrific,” he said.

“My dad gave a welcome speech and touched on a trait of Justin's that I also mentioned in my vows, which is that kids and dogs love him,” Hayley said. “I believe this to be an example of his wonderful energy,” Bridges’ daughter Hayley told Brides.

Bridges, who called his battles in life a “gift,” said he learned the lessons that came with them through his personal experience with his health challenges.

“I learnt things during those times that I wouldn’t have learnt in any other way,” he said.

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