Jeff Bridges revived The Dude from “The Big Lebowski” during the Oct. 7 episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to ask 2025 America an important question: “Can we just all calm the fuck down?” The Oscar winner was on the late-night show to promote his new movie, “Tron: Ares,” but Kimmel had a different idea for the performer.
“We are in such a troubled time, I think, is a good way to say it,” Kimmel said. “People are getting crazier every day and I wonder if you could perhaps summon The Dude to share some words of wisdom tonight.”
Kimmel conveniently whipped out a cardigan and a pair of sunglasses to help Bridges channel The Dude, which remains one of his most iconic characters. The actor happily agreed and was handed a White Russian to sip on, helping him complete his transformation.
“Hey world, The Dude here,” Bridges said in character. “So, uh, yeah, man. Can we just all calm the fuck down? I mean, c’mon. I’m talking about, you know, all the wars, the fighting, the canceling. I mean, let’s just chill out, man. C’mon, tone it down. We’re, like, at what? A nine? We ought to be at zero. Or zero and a half at max.”
“ICE? Let’s get ICE off our streets and into our beverages, man,” Bridges then said as the studio audience roared with cheers. “This aggression will not stand. Right? So let’s just abide. Abide together. Yes, we can do this. Now, that’s just, like, my opinion, but it’s a good one, don’t you think, Jimmy?”
“That’s a pretty great opinion,” Kimmel responded.
The Dude debuted in “The Big Lebowski,” Joel and Ethan Coen’s 1998 crime comedy starring Bridges opposite John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi and John Turturro. Bridges played Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski, a formerly committed activist who had sulked into L.A. slackerdom. The plot kicks off after he gets assaulted when criminals mistake him for a millionaire with the same name.
Watch Bridges’ full interview on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in the video below.