Drug Use In "The Big Lebowski" Concerns Jeff Bridges

The arrival of "The Big Lebowski," a new movie from brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, has many movie goers salivating. Jeff Bridges is certainly thrilled to be starring in this wacky twist on the film noir genre. But he did have one significant concern about making the picture. Bridges' character, known as the Dude, smokes a lot of pot and downs a lot of white Russians during the course of the movie.

"I have three girls," says Bridges. "Two of them are teenagers and the other one is soon to be. I rolled it over in my mind. I'm also concerned about other kids out there who will see this guy, who is kind of a hero, who's doing dope and stuff. I don't think that's the way to be. As a matter of fact, in preparation for the role I could've gotten stoned all the time and just lived the life of the Dude. But I decided not to do that because it would be very hard to sustain any kind of performance that way. And also, if you're playing a murderer you don't have to go out and kill somebody."

Ultimately, it was Bridges' desire to work with the Coens that clinched his decision to do "The Big Lebowski."

"I don't like to limit myself to only playing good people," he says. "I like to play all different aspects of humanity. And this was an aspect of humanity I knew something about, looking back into my life. But it was a big concern about promoting that kind of lifestyle. It was a real debate that I had with myself."

Bridges discussed his worries about the drug use with the Coens. He also talked it over with his daughters.

"I told them this is not the way to be," he reports. "They said, `Dad, it's just a movie.' They're used to me playing weird guys, and kissing women other than their mom. Hey, I went through it, too, with my dad."

As he followed in the footsteps of his father, Lloyd, and his big brother, Beau, Bridges wouldn't be surprised if his girls go into the family business, too.

"I'll let them decide if they want to do it," he smiles. "When they're about 30."

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