Lloyd Vernet "Beau" Bridges III (born December 9, 1941) is an American actor. He is a three-time Emmy, two-time Golden Globe and one-time Grammy Award winner, as well as a two-time Screen Actors Guild Award nominee. Bridges was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 7, 2003, at 7065 Hollywood Boulevard for his contributions to the television industry.[2][3] He is the son of actor Lloyd Bridges and elder brother of fellow actor Jeff Bridges.

Beau Bridges
Bridges in September 2011
Born
Lloyd Vernet Bridges III[1]

(1941-12-09) December 9, 1941 (age 82)
Occupation(s)Actor, director
Years active1948–present
Spouses
  • Julie Landfield
    (m. 1964; div. 1974)
  • Wendy Treece
    (m. 1984)
Children5, including Jordan Bridges
Parents
RelativesJeff Bridges (brother)

Early life edit

Bridges was born on December 9, 1941[4] in Los Angeles, California, the son of actors Lloyd Bridges (1913–1998) and Dorothy Bridges (née Simpson; 1915–2009).[5] He was nicknamed Beau by his parents after Ashley Wilkes' son in Gone with the Wind.[6] His younger brother is actor Jeff Bridges, and he has a younger sister, Lucinda. Another brother, Garrett, died in 1948 of sudden infant death syndrome. Beau has shared a close relationship with Jeff, for whom he acted as a surrogate father during childhood, when their father was busy with work.[7] He and his siblings were raised in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles.[8]

Wanting to become a basketball star, he played in his freshman year at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) under legendary coach John Wooden, where he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He later transferred to the University of Hawaii. In 1959, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard Reserve and served for eight years.[9][10]

Career edit

In 1948, Bridges had an uncredited juvenile role in the iconic film noir Force of Evil, and a role as Bertram in No Minor Vices. In 1949 he played a third juvenile role in the film The Red Pony. In the 1962–1963 television season, Bridges, along with his younger brother, Jeff, appeared on their father's CBS anthology series, The Lloyd Bridges Show. He appeared in other television series too, including National Velvet, The Fugitive, Combat, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Mr. Novak, and The Loner. In 1965, he guest-starred as Corporal Corbett in "Then Came the Mighty Hunter", Season 2, Episode 3 of the military series, Twelve O'Clock High. He found steady work in television and film throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He appeared in such feature films during that time as The Landlord (1970), The Other Side of the Mountain (1975), Greased Lightning (1977), Norma Rae (1979), The Fifth Musketeer (1979), Heart Like a Wheel (1983), and The Hotel New Hampshire (1984).

 
Bridges at the premiere of Max Payne in 2008

In 1989, in perhaps his best-known role, he starred opposite his brother Jeff as one of The Fabulous Baker Boys. In the 1993–94 television season, Bridges appeared with his father in the 15-episode CBS comedy/western series, Harts of the West, set at a dude ranch in Nevada. In 1995, Bridges starred with his father and his son Dylan in "The Sandkings", the two-part pilot episode of the Showtime science fiction series, The Outer Limits. In 1998, he starred as Judge Bob Gibbs in the one-season Maximum Bob on ABC. He had a recurring role in the Showtime series Beggars and Choosers (1999–2000).

In 2001, he guest-starred as Daniel McFarland, the stepfather of Jack McFarland, in two episodes of the NBC sitcom Will & Grace. He played a single father and college professor in the fantasy adventure film, Voyage of the Unicorn, based on the novel by James C. Christensen.

From 2002 to 2003, he took on the role of Senator Tom Gage, newly appointed Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, in over 30 episodes of the drama series The Agency. In January 2005, he was cast as Major General Hank Landry, the new commander of Stargate Command in Stargate SG-1. He also played the character in five episodes of the spin-off series Stargate Atlantis as well as the two direct to DVD films Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum.

His role in the film Smile, with Linda Hamilton and Sean Astin, showcased his personal beliefs in helping others.

In November 2005, he guest-starred as Carl Hickey, the father of the title character in the hit NBC comedy My Name Is Earl. Bridges' character became recurring. Bridges received a 2007 Emmy Award nomination for his performance.

 
Beau Bridges on USS Midway Museum flight deck to promote Stargate: Continuum, July 2008

In 2008, Bridges co-starred in the motion picture Max Payne, based on the video game character. The film also starred Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. Bridges portrayed "BB" Hensley, an ex-cop who aides Wahlberg on his quest to bring down a serial killer. The film received mixed reviews, but Bridges' participation was noted for being a positive one. It was not the first motion picture with Bridges regarding the video game world; The Wizard had him in a role as a landscaping company owner who was later found, like his son Jimmy (played by actor Luke Edwards), to have a skill with NES games.

On February 8, 2009, Cynthia Nixon, Blair Underwood, and Bridges won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for their recording of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth.

In 2009, Bridges guest-starred as Eli Scruggs on the 100th episode of Desperate Housewives and received an Emmy Award nomination for his performance.

In 2010, Bridges signed with Chris Mallick in the production of the film Columbus Circle. On March 19, 2010, it was announced that Bridges would play the role of Joseph 'Rocky' Rockford, the father of private eye Jim Rockford, on the pilot episode of a new version of The Rockford Files,[11] scheduled for production for broadcast in fall 2010. In 2011, he guest-starred as an old boyfriend of matriarch Nora Walker in Brothers and Sisters and as an attorney, estranged from his son Jared Franklin in Franklin & Bash.

On January 3, 2012, Bridges took on the role of J.B. Biggley in the hit revival of the Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, taking over for John Larroquette. He was contracted to play the role until July 1, 2012. However, the revival closed May 20, 2012.

On October 3, 2013, Bridges became a major character on the CBS television show The Millers. He plays Tom, the father of two children: son Nathan Miller (Will Arnett) and daughter Debbie (Jayma Mays). Tom, after forty-three years of marriage, has gotten divorced and has moved back in with his daughter, driving her crazy. Bridges joined the series in early March 2013.[12]

Bridges has had several roles in films since then including Underdog Kids and Lawless Range in 2016. He has also had guest roles on the shows Masters of Sex and Code Black.[13]

Awards edit

Bridges has 14 Emmy Award nominations with three wins.[14] He is the only actor to win the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or Special more than once, with two wins.

Personal life edit

 
Bridges with his father Lloyd in 1992

Bridges married Julie Landfield in 1964, the two divorced in 1974. They have two sons: Casey Bridges (b. 1969) and Jordan Bridges (b. 1973). He married Wendy Treece on April 10, 1984. They have three children. Dylan Lloyd Bridges (b. 1984) Emily Beau Bridges (b. 1986) and Ezekiel Jeffrey Bridges (b. 1993). Bridges has six grandchildren: Lola, Orson, Clark, Oliver, Parker and Mack.

Bridges is a Christian. He has stated that if the script calls for his character to say God's name in vain, he will ask the director if he can change the line.[6] Bridges has been a vegan since 2004.[15]

Bridges, his brother Jeff and late father Lloyd were among six veterans – the others being Jerry Coleman, Bob Feller and Brian Lamb – honored with the Lone Sailor Award by the United States Navy Memorial in 2011.[16][17] The award recognizes Navy, Marine and Coast Guard veterans who have distinguished themselves in their civilian careers.

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1948 No Minor Vices Bertram
1948 Force of Evil Frankie Tucker Uncredited
1949 The Red Pony Beau
1949 Zamba Tommy
1951 The Company She Keeps Obie Uncredited
1961 The Explosive Generation Mark
1965 Village of the Giants Fred
1967 The Incident Felix
1968 For Love of Ivy Tim Austin
1969 Gaily, Gaily Ben Harvey
1970 Adam's Woman Adam
1970 The Landlord Elgar
1971 The Christian Licorice Store Cane
1972 Hammersmith Is Out Billy Breedlove
1972 Child's Play Paul Reis
1973 Your Three Minutes Are Up Charlie
1974 Lovin' Molly Johnny
1975 The Other Side of the Mountain Dick Buek
1976 One Summer Love Jesse
1976 Swashbuckler Major Folly
1976 Two-Minute Warning Mike Ramsay
1977 Greased Lightning Hutch
1978 The Four Feathers Harry Faversham
1979 Norma Rae Sonny
1979 The Fifth Musketeer Louis XIV
1979 The Runner Stumbles Toby Felker
1980 Silver Dream Racer Bruce McBride
1981 Honky Tonk Freeway Duane Hansen
1982 Night Crossing Günter Wetzel
1982 Witness for the Prosecution Leonard Vole
1982 Love Child Jack Hansen
1983 Heart Like a Wheel Connie
1984 The Hotel New Hampshire Mr. Win Berry
1985 Alice in Wonderland Unicorn
1987 The Killing Time Sam Wayburn
1987 The Wild Pair Joe Jennings
1988 Seven Hours to Judgment John Eden
1989 The Iron Triangle Capt. Keene
1989 Signs of Life John Alder
1989 The Fabulous Baker Boys Frank Baker
1989 The Wizard Sam Woods
1990 Daddy's Dyin': Who's Got the Will? Orville Turnover
1991 Married to It John Morden
1992 Sidekicks Jerry
1996 Jerry Maguire Matt Cushman Uncredited
1996 Hidden in America Bill Januson
1997 RocketMan Bud Nesbitt
1999 The White River Kid Daddy Weed
2000 Common Ground Father Leon
2000 Sordid Lives G.W. Nethercoth
2000 Meeting Daddy Larry Branson
2000 Songs in Ordinary Time Omar Duvall
2001 Voyage of the Unicorn Alan Aisling
2001 Boys Klub Mario's Dad
2003 Out of the Ashes Herman Prentiss
2004 10.5 President Paul Hollister
2004 Debating Robert Lee Mr. Lee
2005 The Ballad of Jack and Rose Marty Rance
2005 Smile Steven
2006 I-See-You.Com Harvey Bellinger
2006 The Good German Colonel Muller
2006 Charlotte's Web Dr. Dorian
2007 Americanizing Shelley Gary Gordon
2007 Spinning Into Butter Dean Burton Strauss
2008 Stargate: The Ark of Truth Major General Hank Landry Video
2008 Stargate: Continuum Major General Hank Landry Video
2008 Max Payne BB Hensley
2010 Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove Gus Grisby Video
2010 My Girlfriend's Boyfriend Logan Young
2011 Don't Fade Away Chris White
2011 The Descendants Cousin Hugh
2012 Columbus Circle Dr. Ray Fontaine
2012 Eden Bob Gault
2012 Hit & Run Clint Perkins
2012 From Up on Poppy Hill Yoshio Onodera Voice, English dub
2013 Rushlights Sheriff Brogden
2014 1000 to 1: The Cory Weissman Story Coach Video
2014 The Tale of the Princess Kaguya Prince Kuramochi Voice, English dub
2015 Underdog Kids Ron
2016 Lawless Range Mr. Reed
2017 The Mountain Between Us Walter
2018 Galveston Stan
2018 All About Nina Larry Michaels
2018 Dirty Politics Hank
2019 Supervized Ted
2019 Elsewhere Dad
2020 One Night in Miami... Mr. Carlton
2022 Dreamin' Wild Don Sr.
2022 End of the Road Captain J.D. Hammers
2024 The Neon Highway Claude Allen

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1960–1963 My Three Sons Russ Burton 3 episodes
1960–1961 Sea Hunt Warren Tucker 2 episodes
1961 The Real McCoys Randy Cooperton Episode: "The Rich Boy"
1962 National Velvet Mercutio Episode: "The Star"
1962 Wagon Train Larry Gill Episode: "The John Bernard Show"
1962–1963 Ensign O'Toole Seaman Howard Spicer 32 episodes
1963 Rawhide Billy Johanson Episode: "Incident at Paradise"
1963 Ben Casey Larry Masterson 2 episodes
1964 The Eleventh Hour Leonard Episode: "Cannibal Plants, They Eat You Alive"
1964 Combat! Private Orville Putnam Episode: "The Short Day of Private Putnam"
1964 My Three Sons Howard Sears 2 episodes
1965 Twelve O'Clock High Cpl. Steven Corbett Episode: "Then Came the Mighty Hunter"
1965 The F.B.I. Jerry Foley Season 1, Episode 12: "An Elephant is Like a Rope"
1966 Gunsmoke Jason Episode: "My Father's Guitar"
1966 The Fugitive Gary Keller Episode:"Stroke of Genius"
1966 Branded Lon Allison Episode:"Nice Day for a Hanging"
1966 The Loner Johnny Sharp Episode:"The Mourners of Johnny Sharp"
1967 The Fugitive Larry Corby Episode: "The Other Side Of The Coin"
1967 Bonanza Horace Perkins Episode: "Justice"
1967 Cimarron Strip Billie Joe Show Episode: "Legend of Jud Starr"
1971 Robert Young and the Family Sketch Actor Television film
1973 The Man Without a Country Frederick Ingham Television film
1974 The Stranger Who Looks Like Me Chris Schroeder Television film
1978 The Four Feathers Harry Faversham Television film
1978 The President's Mistress Ben Morton Television film
1978 Mutual Respect Kevin Pearse Television film
1978 Hallmark Hall of Fame Stubby Pringle Episode: "Stubby Pringle's Christmas"
1979 The Child Stealer David Rodman Television film
1980 United States Richard Chapin 13 episodes
1982 The Kid from Nowhere Bud Herren Television film
1982 Dangerous Company Ray Johnson Television film
1982 Witness for the Prosecution Leonard Vole Television film
1984 The Red-Light Sting Frank Powell Television film
1985 Space Randy Claggett Five-part miniseries
1986 Outrage! Brad Gordon Television film
1989 Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure Richard Czech Television film
1989 Frederick Forsyth Presents: Just Another Secret Grant Television film
1991 Without Warning: The James Brady Story James Brady Television film
1990 Women & Men: Stories of Seduction Gerry Green Television film
1990 Guess Who's Coming for Christmas? Arnold Zimmerman Television film
1991 Wildflower Jack Perkins Television film
1991 Tales from the Crypt Dr. Martin Fairbanks Episode: "Abra Cadaver"
1993 Elvis and the Colonel: The Untold Story Col. Tom Parker Television film
1993 The Man with Three Wives Norman Grayson Television film
1993 The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom Terry Harper Television film
1993–1994 Harts of the West Dave Heart 15 episodes
1994 Secret Sins of the Father Tom Thielman Television film
1994 Million Dollar Babies Dr. Allan Roy Dafoe Television film
1995 Kissinger and Nixon Richard Nixon Television film
1995 The Outer Limits Dr. Simon Kress Episode: "The Sandkings"
1996 A Stranger to Love Allan Grant Television film
1996 Nightjohn Clel Waller Television film
1996 Losing Chase Richard Phillips Television film
1996 The Uninvited Charles Johnson Television film
1996 Hidden in America Bill Januson Television film
1997 The Second Civil War Jim Farley Television film
1998 Maximum Bob Judge Bob Gibbs 7 episodes
1999 Inherit the Wind E.K. Hornbeck Television film
1999 P.T. Barnum P. T. Barnum Television film
2000 The Wild Thornberrys Hayden Adam Voice, episode: "Every Little Bit Alps"
2000 The Christmas Secret Nick Television film
2001–2003 The Agency Tom Gage 32 episodes
2002 Will & Grace Daniel McFarland Episode: "Moveable Feast"
2002 We Were the Mulvaneys Michael Mulvaney, Sr. Television film
2002 Sightings: Heartland Ghost Derek Television film
2004 Evel Knievel John Bork Television film
2005 Into the West Stephen Hoxie Episode: "Manifest Destiny"
2005–2007 Stargate SG-1 Major General Hank Landry 35 episodes
2005–2006 Stargate: Atlantis Major General Hank Landry 5 episodes
2005–2006 American Dad! Doctor / Lieutenant Eddie Thacker 2 episodes
2005–2008 My Name Is Earl Carl Hickey 7 episodes
2006 10.5: Apocalypse President Paul Hollister Television film
2007 Two Families Television film
2009 Desperate Housewives Eli Scruggs Episode: "The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened"
2009 The Closer Detective George Andrews Episode: "Make Over"
2011 Brothers & Sisters Nick Brody 5 episodes
2011 Game Time: Tackling the Past Frank Walker Television film
2011–2012 Franklin & Bash Leonard Franklin 3 episodes
2011–2012 White Collar Agent Kramer 3 episodes
2013 The Goodwin Games Benjamin Goodwin 4 episodes
2013–2016 Masters of Sex Barton Scully 21 episodes
2013–2015 The Millers Tom Miller 34 episodes
2014 Bubble Guppies Mr. Claws Voice, episode: "A Very Guppy Christmas!"
2015–2017 Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero Sheriff Scaley Briggs Voice, 4 episodes
2015–2018 Black-ish Paul Johnson 3 episodes
2016 Flower Shop Mysteries Jeffrey Knight 3 episodes
2016 Code Black Pete Delaney Episode: "Hail Mary"
2016–2017 Bloodline Roy Gilbert 12 episodes
2017 Christmas in Angel Falls Michael Television film
2017–2018 Mosaic Alan Pape 8 episodes
2018–2020 Homeland Vice President Ralph Warner 6 episodes
2018–2020 Greenleaf Bob Whitmore 5 episodes
2019 Goliath Roy Wheeler 5 episodes
2020 Messiah Edmund DeGuilles 5 episodes
2020 Robbie Robbie Walton Sr. 8 episodes
2021 Mr. Mayor Adolphus Hass Episode: "Avocado Crisis"
2021 The Premise William Episode: "Moment of Silence"
2022 Our Christmas Italian Memories Vincent Colucci Television Film
2023 Lessons in Chemistry Wilson Upcoming series

Awards and nominations edit

Year Association Category Nominated work Result
1969 Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture For Love of Ivy Nominated
1990 American Comedy Awards Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture The Fabulous Baker Boys Nominated
National Society of Film Critics Awards Best Supporting Actor Won
1992 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Without Warning: The James Brady Story Won
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Won
1993 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged
Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom
Won
1994 Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Won
1995 CableACE Awards Actor in a Drama Series The Outer Limits Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
1996 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Kissinger & Nixon Nominated
1997 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Losing Chase Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Hidden in America Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie The Second Civil War Won
Satellite Awards Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Hidden in America Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Nominated
1999 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Inherit the Wind Nominated
2000 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie P.T. Barnum Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
2002 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie We Were the Mulvaneys Nominated
2007 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series My Name Is Earl Nominated
2008 Grammy Award Best Spoken Word Album An Inconvenient Truth Won
2009 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Desperate Housewives Nominated
2010 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series The Closer Nominated
2011 Gotham Awards Best Ensemble Performance The Descendants Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Brothers & Sisters Nominated
2012 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards Best Cast The Descendants Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated
2014 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series Masters of Sex Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
2015 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Nominated

References edit

  1. ^ Sheeler, Jason; Ross, Alex (August 5, 2023). "Beau Bridges on What He Learned from Dad Lloyd and Brother Jeff: 'Respect Everyone'". People. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "Beau Bridges | Hollywood Walk of Fame". www.walkoffame.com. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  3. ^ "Beau Bridges". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  4. ^ "The Global Film Village: Beau and Emily Bridges in ACTING: THE FIRST SIX LESSONS". www.filmfestivals.com.
  5. ^ "Actress Dorothy Bridges dies, Mother of Beau and Jeff Bridges was 93". Variety. February 20, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  6. ^ a b "Overview for Beau Bridges". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  7. ^ "Jeff Bridges is still the Dude". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012.
  8. ^ McLellan, Dennis (February 21, 2009). "Dorothy Bridges dies at 93; 'the hub' of an acting family". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  9. ^ "Beau Bridges". IMDb.
  10. ^ "U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office website".
  11. ^ Ross, Robyn. Beau Bridges Joins Cast of Rockford Files", TV Guide, March 19, 2010.
  12. ^ Bianco, Robert (July 29, 2013). "Meet 'The Millers'". USA Today.
  13. ^ "Beau Bridges". IMDb.
  14. ^ "Primetime Emmy Award Database". Emmys.com. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  15. ^ Jeff Bridges and Bernie Glassman (2013). The Dude and the Zen Master. Blue Rider Press. pp. 200. ISBN 978-0399161643.
  16. ^ "Lone Sailor Award recipient: Beau Bridges". Coast Guard Compass. September 28, 2011. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  17. ^ "Navy Memorial Hosts 24th Annual Lone Sailor Awards Dinner". navy.mil. September 23, 2011.

Further reading edit

  • Holmstrom, John. The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995, Norwich, Michael Russell, 1996, p. 229.
  • Dye, David. Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914–1985. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 1988, p. 26.

External links edit