In most cases, The Dude abides — but the recent actions of ICE are definitely an exception. While appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday (Oct. 7), Jeff Bridges snapped back into his iconic Big Lebowski character to condemn the “aggression” he says is happening in immigrant communities across the United States.
The idea to briefly reprise The Dude was Kimmel’s, with the late-night host pulling out a patterned cardigan and White Russian — the character’s signature cocktail — for Bridges. The Oscar winner didn’t need much to get back into The Dude’s headspace, though, immediately launching into a drawling address to the world at Kimmel’s request.
“Hey, world! The Dude here,” Bridges began. “Can we just all calm the f–k down? I mean, come on. I’m talking about all the wars, the fighting, the cancelling. I mean, let’s just chill out man, come on.”
Noting that he thinks everyone is operating at a “9” when they should be at a “Zero and a half” at most, the actor went on to call out ICE specifically. “ICE! Let’s get ICE off our streets and into our beverages,” he said, earning applause. “This aggression will not stand, right?”
Bridges added, “So let’s just abide together. We can do this.”
The Hollywood icon’s remarks come as the Donald Trump administration is continuing to crack down on immigration by way of ICE raids targeting vulnerable communities. The raids have especially affected the Los Angeles area, where Jimmy Kimmel Live! tapes.
Bridges also isn’t the only big star who’s spoken up about ICE recently. Zach Bryan joined numerous other musicians in calling out the agency by posting the unreleased song lyrics, “I heard the cops came/ Cocky motherf–kers, ain’t they? … And ICE is gonna come bust down your door,” on Instagram.
After getting backlash from the White House and DHS, however, the country singer walked back somewhat on his remarks. “This song is about how much I love this country and everyone in it more than anything,” he wrote in a statement. “When you hear the rest of the song, you will understand the full context that hits on both sides of the aisle … Left wing or right wing, we’re all one bird and American.”
Watch Jeff Bridges bring back The Dude to condemn ICE below.
