© Getty Images

Famous family -

Jeff Bridges, full name Jeffrey Leon Bridges, was born on December 4, 1949 to well-known actors Lloyd Bridges and Dorothy Bridges (née Simpson).

© Getty Images

Famous family - He was the third of four children born to his famous parents, although his older brother Garrett sadly died of sudden infant death syndrome in 1948. Older brother Beau also went on to become a famous actor.

© Getty Images

Growing up - The Bridges children were raised in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles. Their father was often away working and brother Beau took on the fathering role.

© Getty Images

Early taste of fame - The young Jeff Bridges had his first taste of the spotlight at just two years old, when he appeared in the John Cromwell film ‘The Company She Keeps.’

© Getty Images

Early taste of fame - As children, Jeff and his brother Beau would also make the odd appearance on their father’s popular action adventure show ‘Sea Hunt’ (1958-1961).

© Getty Images

‘The Last Picture Show’ (1971) - Bridges secured his first major role in 1971, when he starred in the film ‘The Last Picture Show.’ His performance earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

© BrunoPress

Early '70s - Over the following two years he starred in both the critically-acclaimed John Huston film ‘Fat City’ (1972) and the Lamont Johnson film ‘The Last American Hero’ (1973).

© BrunoPress

’Thunderbolt and Lightfoot’ (1974) - The year 1974 brought Bridges another Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance opposite Clint Eastwood in the movie ’Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.’

© Getty Images

‘King Kong’ (1976) -

In 1976, he played protagonist Jack Prescott in the first remake of ‘King Kong.’ He starred alongside Jessica Lange in the movie, which was a huge commercial success.

© Getty Images

‘King Kong’ (1976) -

‘King Kong’ (1976) earned US$90 million worldwide, a whopping three times its budget. It also garnered an Academy Award for its special effects.

© BrunoPress

Early '80s - A new decade saw continued success, with 1982 being a particularly busy year for Bridges. He starred in both science fiction film ’Tron’ and romantic comedy ‘Kiss Me Goodbye.’

© BrunoPress

'Starman' (1984) - In 1984, he nabbed an Oscar Best Actor nomination for his performance in ‘Starman.’ He was also praised for his roles in ‘Against All Odds’ (1984) and ‘Jagged Edge’ (1985).

© Getty Images

‘Fearless’ (1993) - Into the 1990s, Bridges’s career showed no signs of slowing. In fact, his performance in the 1993 film ‘Fearless’ is often thought to be one of his strongest ever.

© BrunoPress

‘Fearless’ (1993) - It was thanks to his performance in ‘Fearless’ that critic Pauline Kael wrote that he “may be the most natural and least self-conscious screen actor that ever lived.”

© BrunoPress

Hollywood Walk of Fame - On July 11, 1994, the prolific actor was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the film industry.

© Getty Images

‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998) -

But he was not done yet, and indeed 1998 brought Bridges the role that most people nowadays know him for: ‘The Dude’ in the Coen brothers’ film ‘The Big Lebowski.’

© Getty Images

'The Contender' (2000) - Into the noughties and the Academy Award nominations continued to roll in. He received his fourth nomination for his performance in ‘The Contender.’

© Getty Images

'Iron Man' (2008) - In 2008, he appeared in Marvel's ’Iron Man,’ for which he was required to shave off his iconic long hair.

© BrunoPress

Finally, Oscars success! -

In 2010, Jeff Bridges finally won an Oscar. It was in the Best Actor category and was for his performance in ‘Crazy Heart.'

© Getty Images

'True Grit' (2010) -

Also in 2010, Bridges appeared in another of his better-known roles in ‘True Grit.’ He again was nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars, but lost out to Colin Firth.

© BrunoPress

Love of music -

In a 2010 interview with Guitar Aficionado Magazine, Bridges stated that he had a hard time choosing between becoming an actor and a musician.

© Getty Images

Love of music - The actor’s love for music can be traced back to his childhood and his mother's influence. It was she who encouraged him to learn his first instrument, the piano.

© Getty Images

Love of music - He also plays guitar and apparently used to jam with Kris Kristofferson between takes while the pair were working on the 1980 film ‘Heaven’s Gate.’

© Getty Images

Music career - Although undoubtedly more prolific as an actor than as a musician, Bridges has released two albums: ‘Be Here Soon’ (2000) and ‘Jeff Bridges’ (2011).

© Getty Images

Music career - He has also given a number of standalone performances, including a rendition of ‘I Don’t Know’ from ‘Crazy Heart’ on ‘The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien’ in January 2010.

© BrunoPress

Author - In 2013, Bridges co-authored ’The Dude and the Zen Master’ with Bernie Glassman, after the two had a conversation about the parallels between ‘The Dude’ and Zen Buddhism.

© Getty Images

Photographer -

A keen photographer since high school, in 2003 the actor published a book of photographs he had taken with his beloved Widelux F8 camera.

© BrunoPress

Other endeavours - Bridges has narrated a number of documentaries, including ABC’s ‘Heroes of Rock and Roll’ (1979). He was also the voice of Hyundai’s 2007 ‘Think About It’ ad campaign.

© Getty Images

Other endeavours - In 1984, Bridges co-founded the End Hunger Network with other individuals in the entertainment industry. In 2010, he became the spokesman for the No Kid Hungry campaign.

© Getty Images

Other endeavours -

Bridges is also a supporter of environmental causes and is involved with organizations such as the Amazon Conservation Team.

Sources: (IMDb)

See also: Celebrities who champion environmentalism

© Getty Images