Jeff Bridges Stayed in Montana for Decades after Falling for Local Waitress – Inside Their Home

For Californian actor and superstar Jeff Bridges, acting is his forte and comes naturally to him, but he confesses that he is not so much of a romantic, albeit married for 44 years.

Bridges, who came from a family of actors, started his acting career as a kid alongside his brother and parents. He featured in movies like; "The Company She Keeps," which also starred his mother, and he also went on tours with his father during the stage production.

One of his biggest breaks was when he clinched a coming-of-age role in the movie "The Last Picture Show" in 1971. Since then, he has featured in about 66 movies and has earned Laureus for himself in his field.

Bridges once revealed that he is not one for romance. He stated his brother, Beau, who buys flowers for his wife, as an example of a romantic person.

The actor further explained that an overt show of affection is not his style, and although he loves his wife, he would not consider himself a deep romantic. Describing how he shows affection, he said:

"I rub my wife's back at night. She deserves so much more. But I carry around her picture - that's kind of romantic, isn't it?"

BRIDGES GETS MARRIED TO THE WOMAN OF HIS DREAMS

Despite affirming that he is not a romantic, Bridges' marriage to his wife of 44 years has been nothing short of romantic.

After turbulent teenage years fraught with alcohol and drugs, Bridges grows into a handsome, focused man that has his act together and continues with his acting career and puts in his A-game, causing smiles on the faces of his fans.

It was on one of such days filming a movie, "Rancho Deluxe," in Montana when he spotted a beauty who caught his attention.

Susan Bridges, who was later to become his wife, was bruised from a car accident in which she had a broken nose and blackened eyes. These imperfections only got Bridges more fascinated, and it was love at first sight for him. He

:

"Not only was she gorgeous, but she had two black eyes and a recently broken nose (from a car accident, I later learned)."

"Something about her beauty and disfigurement kept me riveted. Every time I snuck a peek, she'd catch me," he added. Susan was a college student working as a waitress to pay her bills.

He summoned the courage to ask her out, but she declined on two occasions. One day, luck was on his side when they met in the small town at a party. They danced their hearts away with so much abandon. This was going to be the beginning of a love story.

Bridges took Susan out on what was an untypical date the next day. He had an appointment with a realtor to check out a property, and he invited Susan along. Ten years later, Bridges got a call from a makeup artist on the movie set "Rancho Deluxe" in Montana.

He got the surprise of his life when he was told that his first moment of speaking to Susan was caught on camera. Bridges attest to the fact that till today, he carries a copy of this photograph on him everywhere he goes.

DILEMMA OF LOVE

After jumping the hurdle of asking Susan out, Bridges was caught in the web of uncertainty. Taking her to check out a house with a realtor on a first date felt natural to him and felt so right. He believed she was the one for him. According to Bridges; he heard a voice in his head saying:

"You are now looking at a house with your future wife."

Having been brought up by loving parents who placed the love of one another and family above all, Bridges wondered if he could replicate such love.

He was also scared of "losing" his freedom as a bachelor by being committed. Susan has been his backbone and the proverbial helpmate. Bridges confess to the fact that she helps him get better.

Amongst the things that she taught him is; how to finish projects. She starts by reminding him of his love for starting new things and how she looks at things from a different view.

He said: "I felt cornered, not by Sue but by myself. I couldn't bear to let the love of my life slip through my fingers, but at the same time I was afraid of declaring, "This is the one!" I was crazy in love, but I came from such great parents and didn't know if either Sue or I had that in us."

They dated for two years, and it was not looking like Bridges would pop the question anytime soon. So Susan tells Bridges that she would have to move on as she could see that he was not ready to settle down.

Bridges is caught unaware and could not imagine letting this jewel go, and immediately he gets on his knees and asks her to marry him. They got married at the end of the week with few family and friends in attendance.

LOVE AND WAR

There is no great relationship without its challenges. The Bridges couple has been no exception. The actor agrees that they get to know one another more with each passing day, and it's a mantra each time they have arguments about not understanding each other.

Bridges says his wife will always exclaim that he does not get her or understand her. He believes that he may never totally understand her, but as each day goes by and each misunderstanding thrashes out, they come closer to understanding one another.

He agrees that there is love in diversity, and after 35 years of marriage, it only intensifies the love they have for each other when conflicts come up. He affirmed:

"We've been doing this so long, and we care for each other so much, that our relationship is the most precious thing for both of us."

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

Being the family man he is, Bridges jumped at the opportunity to make his family comfortable. When Michael Cimino decided to sell the Hog Ranch cabin in Montana, which was built for a western movie in 1980, Bridges did not hesitate to buy it.

He describes the barn as being made from hand-hewn logs. He bought the barn, Whorehouse, and cabin without hesitation when Cimino put them up for sale.

He drove 200 miles south of Montana with the disassembled logs to his wife, where they put the logs to good use.

Years later, Bridges claimed they had built around the Hog Ranch and added more properties but did not lose the beauty of the main property and that even now, bullet holes from the movie can still be seen in the walls.

JEFF BRIDGES IS BLESSED WITH KIDS

Bridges is a family man blessed with three beautiful daughters, accomplished in their different fields and careers. After being wed in 1977, the couple welcomed their first child Isabelle in 1981, Jessica in 1983, and Haley in 1985.

The children have been the highlight of their marriage, and it is not uncommon to see him flaunt them on special occasions like the 2001 premiere of "Arlington Road" and in 2003 during the "Seabiscuit" screening.

It would seem that acting came naturally in this family as the first child, Isabelle, followed in her father's footsteps. She started acting at 19 when she was featured in the movie "Termini station."

She got married to her husband, Brandon Boesch, in 2017. She is a mother's empowerment coach, as stated on her Instagram bio.

The second pea in the pod, Jessica did not exactly take after her father in the movie industry but is doing well for herself. She is a singer and songwriter, although she has been off the grid since February 2020 for reasons unknown to the public.

The third child, Haley, is an accomplished interior decorator who loves her job. She married her heartthrob Justine Shane in 2021. Jeff has revealed that the secret to his 44-year-old marriage could be none other than the mutual respect he and Susan have for each other.

He says couples have their differences, but this never gets them apart but instead draws them closer as they celebrate their diversity and find common ground. He revels in his wife's wisdom and how much he respects her for this, also the children.

BRIDGES COMES DOWN WITH CANCER

Shortly into the new year, Bridges divulged to his fans that he was battling cancer in his home in Montana. He put up pictures showing he was receiving treatment for lymphoma, and with an optimistic spirit, Bridges fought on.

Friends and family attest that he has been courageous and forging on despite the bleak condition of his health status. After nine months of battling cancer, the beloved actor took to his blog to reveal that his cancer is now in remission.

He also revealed that he and his wife contacted COVID-19 in January 2021 during his chemotherapy infusion exercise but are better now. He posted that his cancer, which was 9" by 12", is now the size of a marble.

The Oscar award-winning actor is duly grateful for his family, who stood by him during this tough period and felt he could never have pulled through without them. The Bridges family is proof that love can fix all things broken. We are hopeful that the coast is clear for good.