Jeff Bridges said he realized he would always be known for his "The Big Lebowski" character, The Dude, when he performed for an audience of Dudes at a Lebowski Fest.
The Oscar-winning "Tron" and "True Grit" star looked back on his career Saturday at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. PBS is airing an "American Masters" special, "Jeff Bridges: The Dude Abides," on Wednesday.
"I had an early intersting moment when I went to a Lebowski Fest," Bridges said. "They have them all over the world now. They're two-day affairs… a lot of bowling, a lot of drinking of white Russians, a lot of bowling pins walking around. And hundreds of dudes all dressed up like the Dude.
"I had my Beatle moment where I got a band together and played the Lebowski Fest, and the guy there said, 'And now: The Dude!' and I played for a sea of Dudes."
Bridges also said he had nothing to do with the title of the "American Masters" special — but that it more than works for him.
