AS one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, Jeff Bridges has had his share of success, including three Oscar nominations and starring roles in contemporary classics such as “The Big Lebowski,” “The Fabulous Baker Boys” and “The Fisher King.”
As his varied roles sug-gest, Bridges is a multifaceted artist who does not feel compelled to limit himself.
“Be Here Soon,” the album he’s just released under his own record label, highlights the man’s prowess as a songwriter.
In conversation from his home in Santa Barbara, Calif., Bridges was as down to earth and as nice a man as you could meet.
Post: You’re an actor with nothing to prove, why open yourself up to the risk of making an album?
Bridges: This is really a lifelong love. I was in junior high when I got hold of [brother] Beau’s electric guitar, and I learned some chords. It wasn’t long after that I was playing guitar and writing songs.
Post: Why didn’t you become a musician rather than an actor?
Bridges: I was in movies all my life. When I was 6 months old I was carried on in a film. As a kid, I also appeared in Dad’s “Sea Hunt,” and basically I’ve been in films ever since.
Post: Your album has a number of Everyman themes that say “Jeff Bridges is a regular guy.”
Bridges: I write from my life. We’re all human beings — you can’t write outside of that.
Post: Your song “Choke” seems to be about insecurity.
Bridges: I’ve got a lot of insecurities.
Post: Insecure people don’t star in movies, and they don’t try and release an album halfway into life.
Bridges: I’m insecure and do things anyway. That’s my M.O. I understand your confusion. Here’s this actor, he’s out there in front of people all the time. I have a fear of failure, and a fear of making a fool of myself, but you get used to it, because that’s what performing is all about.
Post: You’re a risk-taker from the “better-to-have-loved-and-lost” school?
Bridges: The risk is usually worth the effort — even if what you’ve done isn’t a so-called success. If you are moved to do something, the satisfaction of doing it is often enough.
Post: Is that the case of this record?
Bridges: I’ve had so much joy given to me through the process of doing this album — in my mind, whether anybody buys it or not, it’s already a success for me.
Post: You have no grand expectations?
Bridges: Just the fact that I got [ex-Doobie Brother] Michael McDonald and David Crosby to back me up singing — oh, man, that’s just a dream come true. Wonderful!
Post: Will you be touring?
Bridges: We’d like to do some touring. We’ve played a few live radio shows and some appearances in record stores. And we’ve been getting a lot of air play in Memphis.
Post: Can you respond to everyone who is going to call this a vanity project by a rich actor?
Bridges: Some people will think that. I guess you could look at it that way. Vanity? I dig my music, I love to play music more than I love listening to it. I get so much joy from my music that I guess it is a vanity project. But the proof is in the album, and everyone has to make their own assessment of it.
Post: Is it just because you’re an actor that this perception will come up?
Bridges: The music comes from the same place as the acting. I also do ceramics, I paint, I dance, I sing — I’m a creative person. And this is just another outlet for me.