In direct line of fire

> Jeff Bridges stars in the action-drama Only the Brave, which tells the story of a real-life firefighting crew that died in a 2013 wildfire

Only the Brave top and bottom) American firefighters since the terror attacks of Sept 11, 2001 and the deadliest US wildfire in more than 20 years. Bridges stars alongside Josh Brolin, Jennifer Connelly and Miles Teller as Prescott Wildland Fire Chief Duane Steinbrink, a cowboy whose unpolished dignity and battlehardened wisdom make him a mentor for the firefighters. “In this case, there’s a certain tragic aspect to our story but the movie doesn’t centre on that,” he said. “It’s really, who are these guys who risk their lives like this, and what makes those guys?”

Bridges is one of Hollywood’s most recognisable and bankable stars – part of an acting dynasty that includes his parents Dorothy and Lloyd, as well as brother Beau.

He has earned a total of seven Oscar nominations since his first role as “infant at train station” in John Cromwell’s 1951 drama The Company She Keeps.

He won best actor for Crazy Heart (2009), demonstrating his skill as a musician to play Bad Blake, a man struggling with demons as he battles to recapture his glory days.

Born on Dec 4, 1949, Bridges’s career took off with his performance in Peter Bogdanovich’s masterful 1971 film, The Last Picture Show, which earned his first Oscar nod.

Since then, he has played everything from a plane crash survivor in Fearless to iconic ageing slacker The Dude in Joel and Ethan Coen’s cult comedy The Big Lebowski (1998).

The Coens have always said they would never make a follow-up but it was announced in August that they had given their blessing to Going Places, a crime caper based on 1974 French comedy Les Valseuses.

The movie doubles up as a Lebowski spin-off as it centres on John Turturro reprising his turn as menacing bowler Jesus Quintana, but the Coens are not involved and neither is Bridges.

“If the brothers invite me, I’m there,” he says of the possibility of an actual sequel.

The Dude played a large part in Bridges’ mellow, easygoing public image, although the actor himself credits his late father, with whom he starred in Tucker (1988) and Blown Away (1994).

Bridges says he was struck by the “joy” Lloyd Bridges always brought on set, which he describes as “contagious”.

“That joy brings relaxation, confidence,” he said.

“And that makes it easier for you to do your job, to make the part flow through you better. I think you do your best work when you are relaxed.” – AFP

Only the Brave is now showing in cinemas nationwide.