Actor and Cancer Survivor Jeff Bridges Revives Iconic “Tron” Movie Character for Disney’s Newest Ride: “Unforgettable Moment”

“Tron” is about a computer hacker named Kevin Flynn (portrayed by Bridges) who was abducted into the digital world and forced to participate in gladiatorial games. His only chance of escape rests in the hands of a heroic security program, according to IMDB, an online source of movie and films.

A 2010 sequel called “Ton: Legacy” followed Kevin Flynn’s son as he searched for his long-lost father. Bridges reprised his role in that film as well.

Bridges’ career also included starring roles in “The Big Lebowski” and “The Amateurs,” among countless other films.

With such a legacy in Hollywood and an influential part to the legacy of “Tron,” no wonder the 73-year-old actor was called to help celebrate Disney’s new themed roller coaster.

“Tron Lightcycle Run at Walt Disney World invites us all again to step inside the Grid … It’s just like riding a light cycle. Congratulations to the Disney cast members and the Imagineers for bringing this attraction to life. I can’t wait to experience it myself,” Bridges said.

Jeff Bridges’ Cancer Journey

Bridges publicly shared his non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis on his Twitter account in October 2020, drawing tons of support.

“I had a 12-by-9-inch tumor in my body. Like a child in my body. It didn’t hurt or anything,” he told People Magazine.

Despite his diagnosis, the actor remained positive and said at the time, “the prognosis is good.”

As the Dude would say.. New S**T has come to light.

I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma. Although it is a serious disease, I feel fortunate that I have a great team of doctors and the prognosis is good.

I’m starting treatment and will keep you posted on my recovery.

— Jeff Bridges (@TheJeffBridges) October 20, 2020

While undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, he battled COVID-19 in early 2021. He told People Magazine at the time, his chemotherapy treatments weakened his immune system allowing the COVID-19 virus to impact him harder than he expected.

He spent nearly five months in the hospital while treating his cancer and managing his COVID-19 symptoms.

“I had no defenses. That’s what chemo does – it strips you of all your immune system. I had nothing to fight it. COVID made my cancer look like nothing,” he said.

Luckily the actor was able to fight through and overcame COVID-19, and his chemo helped shrink the tumor to the size of a marble.

In September 2021, Bridges shared his lymphoma was in remission according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Despite his health challenges, the veteran actor never fully stopped his productions, as he starred in “The Old Man,” a multi-part series on FX that premiered last year.

The TV series is about a retired CIA agent hunted by the agency he used to work for and his nightmares when an unknown man visits him after three decades according to IMDB. The successful series is expected to release Season 2 soon.

In addition to “The Old Man,” Bridges also illustrated a book written by his daughter called “Daddy Daughter Day” since his cancer went into remission.

Understanding Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Lymphoma is different from cancers of specific organs like the lung or breast. It’s not one cancer, but an umbrella term that encompasses several different types. Knowing which kind of lymphoma, you have is important as you and your doctor plan your treatment.

“I always advise that people understand their specific type of lymphoma, because there are over 40 different types,” Dr. Elise Chong, medical oncologist at Penn Medicine, tells SurvivorNet.

“One of the best ways to wrap your head around lymphoma is to start thinking about the different ways we categorize lymphoma.”

In general, lymphoma is a cancer of your immune system. It starts in the lymphatic system, a network of vessels, ducts, and nodes that runs throughout your body. This system drains excess fluid and waste from your tissues and drains them into your bloodstream. It also produces disease-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes that defend your body against infections.

Lymphoma starts when lymphocytes develop a genetic mutation that makes them multiply much faster than usual. The mutation also makes older cells that would normally die stay alive. The quickly multiplying lymphocytes start to collect and build up in your lymph nodes, the small glands in your neck, armpits, and other parts of your body.

WATCH: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment and Symptoms.

Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: What’s the Difference?

The first differentiator is whether you have Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma has distinctive, giant cells called Reed-Sternberg cells. The presence of these cells, which can be seen under a microscope, will help your doctor determine which of the two lymphoma types you have.

There are a few other important differences to note. For one thing, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is much more common. And you’re more likely to be diagnosed with it after age 55. People usually develop Hodgkin lymphoma at a younger age.

Another difference is that non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more likely to spread in a random fashion and be found in different groups of lymph nodes in the body, while Hodgkin lymphoma is more likely to grow in a uniform way from one group of lymph nodes directly to another.

There’s no screening test for lymphoma, so being aware of the risk is important. You may be at a higher risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma if you’ve been exposed to a virus like HIV, have another autoimmune disease or have a family history.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Symptoms

Some common symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are:

• swollen glands
• fever
• night sweats
• weight loss
• fatigue

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