The Big Lebowski (1998) - IMDb IMDb 17 January 2017 4:34 PM, UTC NEWS There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire Lebowski, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it. Directors: From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON TV Famous Directors: From Sundance to Prominence From Christopher Nolan to Quentin Tarantino and every Coen brother in between, many of today's most popular directors got their start at the Sundance Film Festival . Here's a list of some of the biggest names to go from Sundance to Hollywood prominence.

a list of 30 titles created 25 Jun 2011 a list of 22 titles created 04 Mar 2014 a list of 31 titles created 13 Oct 2014 a list of 32 titles created 02 Jan 2015 a list of 37 titles created 9 months ago Title: The Big Lebowski (1998) 8.2/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. 4 wins & 16 nominations. See more awards » Videos Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson. Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen Stars: William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and more than two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.

Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen Stars: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin Unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers, and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond. Director: Guy Ritchie After a simple jewelry heist goes terribly wrong, the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant. Director: Quentin Tarantino Renton, deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene, tries to clean up and get out, despite the allure of the drugs and influence of friends. Director: Danny Boyle The lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption. Director: Quentin Tarantino In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers coincides with a theatre owner's vengeful plans for the same.

Directors: Quentin Tarantino, Eli Roth Stars: Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth A botched card game in London triggers four friends, thugs, weed-growers, hard gangsters, loan sharks and debt collectors to collide with each other in a series of unexpected events, all for the sake of weed, cash and two antique shotguns. Director: Guy Ritchie 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.3/10 X In future Britain, Alex DeLarge, a charismatic and psycopath delinquent, who likes to practice crimes and ultra-violence with his gang, is jailed and volunteers for an experimental aversion therapy developed by the government in an effort to solve society's crime problem - but not all goes according to plan. Director: Stanley Kubrick Disgruntled Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski sets out to reform his neighbor, a Hmong teenager who tried to steal Kowalski's prized possession: a 1972 Gran Torino. Director: Clint Eastwood A pragmatic U.S.

Marine observes the dehumanizing effects the Vietnam War has on his fellow recruits from their brutal boot camp training to the bloody street fighting in Hue. Director: Stanley Kubrick A mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran works as a night-time taxi driver in New York City where the perceived decadence and sleaze feeds his urge for violent action, attempting to save a preadolescent prostitute in the process. Director: Martin Scorsese Edit Storyline When "The Dude" Lebowski is mistaken for a millionaire Lebowski, two thugs urinate on his rug to coerce him into paying a debt he knows nothing about. While attempting to gain recompense for the ruined rug from his wealthy counterpart, he accepts a one-time job with high pay-off. He enlists the help of his bowling buddy, Walter, a gun-toting Jewish-convert with anger issues. Deception leads to more trouble, and it soon seems that everyone from porn empire tycoons to nihilists want something from The Dude. Written by J. Lake They figured he was a lazy, time-wasting slacker. They were right.

See more » Genres: Rated R for pervasive strong language, drug content, sexuality and brief violence | See all certifications » Parents Guide: 6 March 1998 (USA) See more » Also Known As: $5,533,844 (USA) (6 March 1998) Gross: Did You Know? Trivia Asia Carrera : the girl appearing opposite Bunny Lebowski and the nihilist in the porno movie that Maude shows The Dude is an actual porn star. See more » Goofs Walter says that Arthur Digby Sellers wrote 156 episodes of the show "Branded". The show ran for 44 episodes. See more » Quotes [first lines] The Stranger : [voiceover] Way out west there was this fella... fella I wanna tell ya about. Fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least that was the handle his loving parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. Mr. Lebowski, he called himself "The Dude". Now, "Dude" - that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from.

But then there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I ... Production Goddess ... Karyn Anonia See more » Connections Written and Performed by Meredith Monk Published by Meredith Monk Music (ASCAP) Courtesy of ECM Records – See all my reviews It's a travesty that most critics only read The Big Lebowski at its most superficial level and called it a modern take on a Raymond Chandler potboiler. I simply can't begin to perceive how one could sit down in front of this cinematic pop-poetry, as it plates gold on the silver screen, and not feel so incredibly alive. The dream sequence Busbee Berkley musical numbers are unique and awe-inspiring; the humor is rich, subtle, and clever in the way it satirizes politically correct arrogance; the free-flowing story avoids (even pokes fun at) nonessentials like plot points and pay-offs.

But what really makes this film such a masterpiece, such a panacea, is the incredible humanism, the care that the Coen brothers put in developing The Dude (Jeff Bridges), Walter (John Goodman), Donnie (Steve Buscemi-tremendously endearing), and Brandt (magnificently played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman). Looking at the films use of Sam Elliott to play The Stranger, who constantly rambles about the many wonders of The Dude (among other things), it is clear that the film is an ode to a Dudist way of life. And in a time where so many film promise that they have the answer to the worlds problems and end up as slick, stylistic show-off films, what more could one ask for than a good-hearted film like this? Not to mention the performance by Jeff Bridges, which ranks among the best performances of the nineties; he has a relaxed slouch, a goofy smile, an enthusiastic dance, and his buttons can only be pushed by Walter, who John Goodman plays with charm and fury. The Coen brothers have always been considered 'cold' filmmakers, but there is nothing here but warmth and humanity (as is the case with the Coens' Fargo).

What we have here is one of the greatest achievements in modern cinema and if you can't see that, grab a White Russian, hit the bowling ally, and find your inner-Dude as soon as possible. 519 of 669 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes The Big Lebowski (1998) The Big Lebowski Rated R for pervasive strong language, drug content, sexuality and brief violence Parents Guide: DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS Certification: The F-word or a variation of the F-word is used 292 times. See more » Goofs: Factual errors: The Dude holds up his right hand to show he has no wedding ring. See more » Quotes: [first lines] The Stranger :[voiceover] Way out west there was this fella... fella I wanna tell ya about. Fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least that was the handle his loving parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. Mr. Lebowski, he called himself "The Dude". Now... 135 out of 250 people found the following review useful.

A celebration of the ultimate man, nay, the ultimate dude, 5 February 1999 Author: Stephen G. Wilson (sgw@gamgeesam.prestel.co.uk) from Renfrew, Scotland I'd heard a lot of bad press about this movie. Not as good as Fargo, was a much used phrase. I wasn't overly impressed with Fargo, the atmosphere just didn't click for me, but anyway, that made me a little apprehensive about this. It's easily better than Fargo, IMHO, and it's right up there with Barton Fink or Miller's Crossing. A true comedy classic with so many memorable lines and characters, but it's the movie's atmosphere which is so truly joyous, a wonderful celebration of basically doing nothing. Achieving one's goals is important, yes, but it's okay to set them low, is what I perceived this movie to be saying. As long as one is basically a good guy, then that's enough.

Well, that's what it seemed like to me, and it was expressed so beautifully in the stunning cast of grotesques, lovely music ( although more Burwell would have been nice ), and the trippiest, funniest, most absurd dream sequences you've ever seen. Great stuff. Was the above review useful to you? Jeff Dowd: The Man Behind The Dude in 'The Big Lebowski' | Fandom powered by Wikia Share You’ve probably seen the 1998 Coen Brothers film, The Big Lebowski , or have at least heard of it. Chances are you have a stoner friend, cousin, college roommate, or (insert slacker acquaintance here) that wears a “Dude Abides” shirt and spouts quotes from the movie whenever possible. Since its modest domestic release, the film has become a cult classic. But did you know that Jeff Bridges’ character, The Dude, was based on a real person? While working on their first film, 1986 crime thriller Blood Simple , the Coen Brothers met Jeff Dowd, an independent film producer, political activist, and Santa Monica beach bum.

Dowd’s quirky mannerisms, laid back attitude, and unique nickname caught the film duo’s attention. So much so that they wrote a movie inspired by his character. While the story itself is mostly fictional, Jeff Lebowski the character and Jeff Dowd the man have many similarities. Jeff Dowd’s nickname was given to him in the sixth grade by a couple of friends, as a play on his last name. One major similarity is that both the character and the man are called “The Dude.” In the movie, the nickname wasn’t really explained, but was implied to be based on the character’s laid-back attitude. In real life, however, Jeff Dowd’s nickname was given to him in the sixth grade by a couple of friends, as a play on his last name. Over the years, more than one person has re-gifted Dowd the same nickname, unaware of past precedence. Maude and The Dude lie in bed together. We learn more about Jeff Lebowski’s character in a scene where he’s lying in bed with Maude (played by Julianne Moore), and smoking a very tiny joint. He claims to have been part of the anti-Vietnam War activist group, the Seattle Seven .

In real life, this is true. Jeff Dowd actually did do jail time with six other individuals for “conspiracy to destroy government property” and “crossing a state line to incite a riot” during a protest. Unfortunately, Jeff Dowd did not tour as a roadie with Metallica, though, as Jeff Lebowski claims to have done in this scene. There are other parts of The Big Lebowski that are based on stories the Coen Brothers picked up over the years. For example, remember the rug that “really tied the room together?” It turns out there really was a rug of this ilk. It belonged to Peter Exeline , a script consultant and colleague of the Coen Brothers. While Walter Sobchak’s character (played by John Goodman) is said to have been partially based on Exeline, it was a rug in his living room that inspired The Dude’s famously peed-on rug.

At a dinner party hosted by Exeline, he explained to the Coen Brothers that the rug had been left by his neighbors when they moved out, and that he had “appropriated [it] for [his] living room.” During the course of their conversation, Exeline got distracted on more than one occasion and remarked that the “rug really tied the room together.” Apparently, that line stuck with the Coen Brothers and made it into the movie. So we’ve covered the rug, Jeff Dowd’s real life reputation, and how true events greatly inspired the movie. But, you may be asking, what about the White Russians? Does the real Dude like to drink White Russians? Well… sort of. According to a 2013 article in the Huffington Post , he went through a White Russian phase in the same way he went through a Tequila Sunrise, or Harvey Wallbanger phase. White Russians aren’t really his favorite, but he does drink them to please his fans. What can he say? The dude abides. Would you like to be part of the Fandom team? Join our Fan Contributor Program and share your voice on Fandom.com !

Elizabeth Lee THE BIG LEBOWSKI HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE OUR TAKE: 6.5 out of 10 Any time a movie opens with a tumbleweed -- straight from an old western flick ---- lightly bouncing its way through downtown Los Angeles and accompanied by the twangy tune, "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," you can be pretty sure you're not watching an ordinary film. Of course that description fits every picture released by the Coen brothers. Those sibling artists and their films -- "Fargo," "Raising Arizona," "Barton Fink," and several others -- have long been favorites among critics and moviegoers who want something more than your standard issue Hollywood release. Essentially "high-end" independent filmmakers, Joel, the director, and Ethan, the producer, have consistently delivered interesting, entertaining, and decidedly offbeat films for more than a decade. With the success of their critically acclaimed and Oscar winning hit "Fargo" from 1997, their latest release is faced with mounting anticipation and eager questions. How would they follow up that hit?

Would it be a more straight-laced film like "Fargo," or something more surreal in the mode of "Barton Fink?" For typical Hollywood types, this would probably create many meetings with the studio's big brass, as well as public surveys, countless rewrites, and a great many Maalox moments. Noted for their laid back production and shooting styles, however, the Coen brothers simply set out to make another one of their signature abstract, but always interesting films. With "The Big Lebowski," they've definitely succeeded. More in tune with their earlier works than with "Fargo," this film plays out much like a night of wild dreams and nightmares after eating an odd combination of food the night before. In fact, the movie contains a few of its own strange dream scenes, including an Ali Baba-type flying carpet moment, and a Busby Berkeley inspired sequence that's all over the cinematic map. It's weird, but it comes off as eye candy in a way only the Coen's could deliver. As in many of their other films, they've also succeeded in scoring another casting coupe.

Featuring a strong ensemble cast -- including Coen film regulars such as Steve Buscemi, John Goodman and John Turturro, as well as "newcomers" Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore -- the brothers have fashioned a story that showcases the performers and the unique characters they inhabit. Three time Oscar nominee Bridges ("Starman," "Fearless") has always been, in our view, one of the better actors working in films today. Easily dropping into whatever role in which his services are needed, Bridges has always been completely believable as any of the wide range of characters he's played. Here, sporting mismatched "beach" clothing and listening to tape recordings of previous bowling matches for mediation/relaxation, Bridges creates a guy who dropped out of society long ago and doesn't really care. Of course that's so much the better for the plot that then shakes up that laid back lifestyle. John Goodman ("The Borrowers" and TV's "Roseanne") also creates a highly interesting character -- a high strung, loudmouth Vietnam vet. Ready to explode at any moment and very serious about bowling, Goodman is fun to watch in this definitely offbeat creation.

Steve Buscemi ("The Wedding Singer," "Fargo"), on the other hand, who usually plays such characters, is resigned here to playing the reserved, third banana. While you keep waiting for him to do something outrageous, it never comes as Goodman's character constantly bullies him into submission. Still, it's always a delight to find him in any film. The outrageous performance award goes to John Turturro ("Barton Fink," "Quiz Show") who plays a hyped up Latino bowler by the name of Jesus Quintana. Dressed in colorful, skintight outfits and sporting one long, painted fingernail, the brief moments he appears on screen are wild and one only wishes there were more moments with him. While we're initially led to believe that some big showdown between him and The Dude's team will happen, it unfortunately never does. In fact, that's part of the film's biggest problem. There are so many quirky characters and individual moments that you expect something really grandiose or exciting to happen.

Sure it's fun to watch as the Coen's and cinematographer Roger Deakins ("Fargo") deliver some impressively shot, but always off-kilter scenes that -- in the truest sense of the phrase -- are eye- popping eye candy. For instance, an interesting, and nearly stomach churning moment involves our seeing the point of view of a bowling ball making its way down the alley, end over end over end. Yet, after a while -- like consuming candy of the normal type -- the allure begins to fade when that appetite is satiated. After seeing all of this wild visual stuff, and meeting these uniquely quirky characters, one expects something more from the story than what is ultimately delivered. While it's interesting for a while and the oddities hold our attention, the plot eventually begins to drag. Proof positive was listening to the audience at our screening, as the laughter at the onscreen outrageousness slowly but surely faded during the latter reels. Much of the plot rides on the eager, over determination of Goodman's character to "fix" things that then obviously go wrong due to his overzealous plans.

It's funny at first -- a comedy of errors and oddities -- but after a while we pick up on that pattern and soon too easily predict where they'll next go wrong and what the results will be. It doesn't entirely ruin the film, but it lets out a let of the air from the proceedings. The script does have its decent moments, including the fact that everyone -- even a dignified butler -- finishes their sentences to Bridges' character with "dude" that makes this seem like a surfer or "Bill & Ted" movie. One wishes, however, that the Coen's -- who collaboratively wrote the script -- had focused as much energy making the plot as quirky and fun as the characters and visual elements. Much of the film's tone is odd just for odd's sake, and while that is often interesting, it can only take a movie so far before we grow acclimated and realize that it's doing nothing to move the story onward. Even so, it's not a horrible problem, and this release will probably please fans of the Coen brothers and their previous works. One thing is for certain -- you'll probably be hard pressed to find another film this year that's as interesting to watch.

With a fun visual style and deeply drawn and definitely quirky characters, it's just too bad they couldn't deliver as good a script to complete their cinematic trifecta. As it stands, it burns out too quickly in our eyes to be considered as one of their best films, but still comes off as an oddly entertaining piece. Thus, we give "The Big Lebowski" a 6.5 out of 10. OUR WORD TO PARENTS: Extreme profanity (more than 250 "f" words) is the most obvious objectionable material found in this movie. Even so, there is drug and alcohol use (pot smoking and heavy drinking), nudity (bare breasts), sexuality (some suggestive lines, an implied encounter) and violence (a person smashes a car with a crow bar, a person bites off another person's ear, some people are hit, etc...). Despite all of the above, much of it is played for laughs, but that may concern some parents about it giving the wrong message about such behavior. Thus, we suggest that you look through the material should you or someone in your family wish to see this film.

Watch The Big Lebowski Online | 1998 Movie | Yidio Watch The Big Lebowski "They figured he was a lazy time wasting slacker. They were right." Jeff Bridges stars as an unemployed bowler and philosopher named Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski in the cult comedy film hit The Big Lebowski. The film was written and directed by Joel and Ethan Cohen. The Cohens cast the movie with a lot of their frequently used actors such as Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, John Goodman, John Turturro and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The story and lead character are introduced by the narrator, a gravelly voiced cowboy played by Sam Elliott. He tells the tale of the Dude and how a case of mistaken identity took the free-spirited Dude on the adventure of his lifetime. When returning home from a night of bowling, the Dude is ambushed and beaten by a pair of thugs who claim that his wife owes money to a shady businessman, Jackie Treehorn. The problem with that accusation is that the Dude isn’t married. The attackers realize that they have made a mistake, but on their way out take the time to urinate on the Dude’s Oriental rug.

The Dude’s bowling partners convince the Dude to find the other Jeff Lebowski to seek compensation for his soiled rug. The other Lebowski turns out to be a millionaire who dismisses the Dude’s plea for restitution. The millionaire and his assistant later contact the Dude to seek his help with a problem. It turns out that Jackie Treehorn has kidnapped Mrs.Lebowski and has demanded a ransom. They want the Dude to make the transaction to pay the kidnappers. Walter, the over-bearing friend of the Dude, insists on accompanying the Dude on the money drop, and his distrust of the kidnappers causes a domino effect which causes headache after headache for the Dude. During his adventure, the Dude meets the daughter of the Big Lebowski, and his day gets even crazier. Along the way, the Dude and Walter suffer the loss of a friend. In the end, will things work out for the Dude? They always seem to.

The Big Lebowski (DVD, 1998, Closed Captioned) | eBay The Big Lebowski (DVD, 1998, Closed Captioned) 4.7average based on 21 product ratings 5 Trending price is based on prices over last 90 days. Nearly NewLOWEST PRICE Sold by knflchamp4c04 See details for delivery est. Sold by darbruin95 Est. delivery by Jan 31 All listings for this product Pre-owned Compare products others also viewed THIS PRODUCT The Big Lebowski (DVD, 1998, Closed Captioned) TRENDING PRICE by grapeape000 Apr 19, 2016 that's just, like, your opinion, man! nailed it Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned by bra-diba Jan 28, 2016 The " DUDE " Rules One Of The Funniest Moves In Along Time . Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned by fashionpassionf...

Feb 08, 2009 THE DUDES LIFE Features Acotrs: Jeff Bridges, Tara Reid, David Huddleston, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, Jon Polito & Ben Gazzara. Rating:R Running Time: 118 Min. Jeff Lebowski, played by Jeff Bridges in a manner no one else could ever possibly match, is a stoner layabout who is one day mistaken for a different Jeff Lebowski (David Huddleston). The Big Lebowski, as opposed to the Dude, is a wealthy man who does a lot of great community service but who also has a young trophy wife (Tara Reid) who has run up quite a load of debt with unsavory people. It's the collection of one of these debts that sends a couple of thugs to the Dude's house, thinking he's the other Lebowski, and one of them even relieves himself on Dude's rug before realizing their mistake. It's a shame, too, because that rug really tied the room together.

Spurred on by his friend Walter (John Goodman), a member of the Dude's bowling team and a Vietnam Vet with issues, the Dude goes to the Big Lebowski seeking compensation. Though all he wants is a new rug, he ends up being part of a greater mystery. Mrs. Lebowski gets herself kidnapped, and the Dude is asked to be the bagman for the ransom. In the course of his chiba-rattled efforts to fulfill his duties, the Dude will run afoul of a gang of nihilists, a pornographer (Ben Gazzara), Lebowski's daughter from his first marriage (Julianne Moore), and even a private detective (Jon Polito) sent to find Bunny Lebowski for completely different reasons. Amidst all this, the Dude will endure beatings, spilled beverages, and constant interruptions to his bowling game. The latter is a tragedy of the highest order, as the Dude and Walter are in a trio with their pal Donny (Steve Buscemi) and are about to enter into the league finals.

Coen-regular Jon Turturro makes perhaps the most memorable of the many memorable cameos in the movie playing Jesus, the divinely named sex-offender bowling fetishist who constantly promises to do various unsavory things to the boys on the lanes. The Big Lebowski could just be a ridiculously entertaining movie that never stops surprising and certainly never gets boring. It's as mindless as is it is mind bending, a movie for whatever your mood. You just have to pop it in and let the Dude abide.Hope this helps you decide.Thanks for reading! :) Read full review by turner662 Oct 14, 2016 Thanks See the Cast of 'The Big Lebowski' Then and Now See the Cast of 'The Big Lebowski' Then and Now November 19, 2013 @ 5:19 PM Universal The Coen Brothers' 1998 film 'The Big Lebowski' has become a massive cult favorite in the 15 years since its initial release with its tale of a lifelong slacker known to his friends as The Dude.

Thanks to an unfortunate case of mistaken identity, The Dude finds himself mixed up in the kidnapping of a millionaire's young girlfriend, further complicated by his hotheaded friend, Walter. Along the way he runs into a pornographer, some nihilists and a ferret on his quest to just, you know, be left alone to do his thing, man. Today, we take a look back at the cast of this beloved comedy classic and see what they're up to now. Jeff Bridges, Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski Universal/Getty Images Then: Jeff Bridges played Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, who is mistaken for a millionaire with the same name (the "Big Lebowski") whose wife is kidnapped and held for ransom. The Dude is based on Jeff Dowd, a man the Coen brothers met in Seattle while making their first film, 'Blood Simple.' Now: Bridges recently appeared in the films 'True Grit' and ' R.I.P.D.

' -- the latter of which he admitted wasn't very high quality -- and he won an Academy Award for his role in the film 'Crazy Heart.' His next big blockbuster will come with next year's ' Seventh Son ,' based on the hit young-adult novel series by Joseph Delaney, envisioning the veteran actor as a witch-hunting Spook. He'll also appear opposite Taylor Swift and Meryl Streep in another young-adult-adapted film, ' The Giver ,' which he's currently filming. John Goodman, Walter Sobchak Universal/Getty Images Then: The former 'Roseanne' star played The Dude's hotheaded friend Walter, who hatches a scheme to keep the millionaire Lebowski's ransom money. John Goodman had also appeared prior to 'The Big Lebowski' in the Coens' films 'Raising Arizona,' 'Barton Fink' and 'The Hudsucker Proxy.' Now: Goodman has had a longstanding relationship with the Coen brothers, and he appears in their latest film, 'Inside Llewyn Davis,' as well as George Clooney's 'The Monuments Men' come 2014.

He also recently reunited with 'Big Lebowski' co-star Steve Buscemi for 'Monsters University,' though his long resume includes films like ' ParaNorman ,' ' Trouble With the Curve ,' ' The Hangover Part 3 ' and the Oscar-winning 'Argo.' He'll soon star in the Amazon original series ' Alpha House ,' playing one of four senators living together in a rented house in Washington, DC. Steve Buscemi, Donny Kerabatsos Universal/Getty Images Then: Steve Buscemi played Donny, The Dude and Walter's bowling buddy and put-upon friend. Buscemi had also starred in the Coen brothers' 'Miller's Crossing' and 'Barton Fink.' Now: Aside from reuniting with Goodman for 'Monsters University,' Buscemi stars on HBO's ' Boardwalk Empire ,' which is wrapping up its fourth season and was recently renewed for a fifth.

Some of his recent acting credits also include ' The Incredible Burt Wonderstone ' opposite Steve Carell and 'Grown Ups 2,' and he served as executive producer on the SXSW hit basketball documentary ' Medora .' Julianne Moore, Maude Lebowski Universal/Getty Images Then: Julianne Moore played feminist and artist Maude Lebowski, ex-wife of the Big Lebowski. Now: One of Moore's most notable roles in the past couple years was playing Sarah Palin in the HBO miniseries ' Game Change ,' which earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress. She recently starred in 'What Maisie Knew,' 'Don Jon,' the ' Carrie ' remake and the indie 'The English Teacher,' and she'll reunite with Jeff Bridges in the upcoming fantasy action film 'Seventh Son,' in addition to teaming with Liam Neeson for the actioner ' Non-Stop .' Moore also landed a significant role in the third and fourth ' Hunger Games ' movies, 'Mockingjay - Part 1' and 'Mockingjay - Part 2,' as District 13 President Coin.

Tara Reid, Bunny Lebowski Universal/Getty Images Then: Tara Reid landed her first big Hollywood role as Bunny Lebowski, young trophy wife of the Big Lebowski. Charlize Theron reportedly auditioned for the part. Now: Reid starred in the 'American Pie' films and, after struggling with her career in recent years, appeared in the 2013 Syfy hit ' Sharknado .' Next year will see her star in a 'Hunger Games' spoof, 'The Hungover Games,' as the Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) character, in addition to 'Wild Things in Europe 3D' and 'Charlie's Farm.' Philip Seymour Hoffman, Brandt Universal/Getty Images Then: Just one year before starring in 'The Big Lebowski,' Philip Seymour Hoffman appeared in 'Boogie Nights' opposite Julianne Moore. In 'Lebowski,' he played Brandt, the Big Lebowski's personal assistant.

Now: Hoffman was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in the 2012 film 'The Master,' and recently appeared in 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' as key character Plutarch Heavensbee, a role he'll reprise in the two-part finale, 'Mockingjay.' The actor will also rejoin his 'Big Lebowski' co-star John Turturro in John Slattery's 'God's Pocket' in 2014. Sam Elliott, The Stranger Universal/Getty Images Then: 'Tombstone' star Sam Elliott played The Stranger, the mustachioed narrator of the film. Now: Elliott recently guest starred on 'Parks and Recreation' as Ron Swanson's doppelganger from Eagleton, and appeared opposite Robert Redford in 'The Company You Keep.' Peter Stormare, Nihilist Universal/Getty Images Then: Peter Stormare played one of the nihilists who come to claim the ransom for Bunnny Lebowski.

Stormare previously worked with Buscemi on the Coen brothers' 'Fargo,' and worked with him twice in 1998: on 'Lebowski' and 'Armageddon.' He also previously co-starred with Julianne Moore in 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park.' Now: In 2013 alone, Stormare appeared in 10 films, including 'The Last Stand,' 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters,' 'Bad Milo' and 'The Zero Theorem.' John Turturro, Jesus Quintana Universal/Getty Images Then: John Turturro played Jesus Quintana, an eccentric opponent of The Dude's bowling team. He had previously appeared in the Coen brothers' films 'Miller's Crossing' and 'Barton Fink.' Now: Turturro recently wrote and directed the indie film 'Fading Gigolo,' in which he stars alongside Woody Allen. His past post-'Lebowski' credits include 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?,' 'Anger Management,' the 'Transformers' movies and 'Cars 2,' to name a few.

Ridley Scott's Christian Bale-led 'Exodus' and John Slattery's 'God's Pocket' are two 2014 titles featuring Turturro's talents.

Jeff Dowd, Real 'Big Lebowski' Dude, Talks White Russians, Jeff Bridges And Bowling | The Huffington Post Jeff Dowd, Real 'Big Lebowski' Dude, Talks White Russians, Jeff Bridges And Bowling 03/06/2013 08:58 am ET | Updated Mar 06, 2013 1.4k Madeline Boardman Associate Entertainment Editor, The Huffington Post Wednesday marks the 15th anniversary of the Coen brothers' cult classic "The Big Lebowski." To celebrate, we metaphorically mixed up a White Russian and spoke with Jeff "The Dude" Dowd, the man who served as the inspiration for Jeff Bridges' character in "The Big Lebowski." "The Big Lebowski" tells the story of Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, a lovable slacker with a taste for the milk cocktail and a habit of hanging out with his two friends Donny (Steve Buscemi) and Walter (John Goodman) at a bowling alley. His life gets turned upside down when he's mistaken for another Jeff Lebowski -- also known as The Big Lebowski.

Dowd is everything a "Lebowski" enthusiast would hope. His speech is muddled and, at times, inaudible. He laughs often and refers to himself as The Dude. He goes on long-winded tangents, speaking with intelligence, but randomness, on everything from the Irish revolution to his past friendship with Jane Fonda to Boy George's given name. Unprompted, Dowd volunteers, "The reason I'm not an actor is because in fourth grade I played a f--king tree in a play and I blew my lines." It's a good thing that a young Dowd failed in his breakout role as a tree. Had he become an actor, he may have never met the Coen brothers in the capacity that he did and there may have never been a "Big Lebowski." Dowd worked behind-the-scenes with the famed directors on the 1984 crime film, "Blood Simple," during which time Dowd got to know Joel and Ethan Coen. "[The Coen brothers] spent a lot of time with me and I'm a real easy target," Dowd explained on a phone call from his home in California.

The directors' experience with Dowd led the duo to write the script for "The Big Lebowski" with a focus on the Dowd-inspired character Jeff Lebowski (Bridges). "They called me up and said we're doing this movie," Dowd said. "I said, 'Oh, sh-t' because now I've lost some weight, but at that point I was a little heavier and the thought was that it would be [John] Goodman or some larger-than-life buffoon, some Hollywood ne'er-do-well buffoon. They said, 'No, don't worry, Dude. It's Jeff Bridges. We're playing it the other way.'" While Bridges emulated Dowd in his portrayal of Lebowski, Dowd has taken a point or two from the movie himself. When asked if he would participate in this interview, Dowd said, "Absolutely not," before laughing. "Of course, of course," he said. "As you know, The Dude abides." As far as Dowd is concerned, it wasn't hard for Bridges to play him. "Lemme say something about Jeff.

I'm born on November 20, 1949, Jeff is born on December 3, 1949," Dowd said. (The Dude was just one day off -- Bridges was born on Dec. 4.) "This means, every time he heard a song for the first time growing up, whether it was in sixth grade, or eighth grade, or tenth grade, that was the same day I heard it for the first time. So we're very closely hooked ... and he's a stoner too, so it wasn't a stretch for Jeff to play me. In terms of philosophically, spiritually, all that kind of stuff, that's who he kind of naturally is." "The body language is one hundred percent me in the movie," Dowd said of Bridges' Dude. "Do I drink White Russians all the time? No. I drank White Russians the same way when you were in college, one month or one season was Tequila Sunrises and the next time was Harvey Wallbangers and then White Russians. The reason it was White Russians is you could have a lot more fun with a White Russian than you can with say, a vodka soda." As for the bowling?

Dowd only partakes in the sport occasionally, "maybe a dozen or a half-dozen times" in his life. "Things like that are things that Joel and Ethan [Coen] put in there for satire, but barely," Dowd said. When "The Big Lebowski" was released in 1998, it was in no way the celebrated film that it has become today. The movie was praised by some critics -- The New York Times wrote, "The Coens' ensemble players are as funny and harmonious as they've ever been here" -- but others couldn't get on board with the movie's profanity or the character of Lebowski. Dowd blames something else entirely. "One of the reasons people had problems with the film when they first saw it is it has an existentialist third act," he said. "The characters don't exactly arc, there's no emotional climax." So why did "The Big Lebowski" sustain all these years? "It's a buddy movie at heart, a friends movie at heart," Dowd said. "The thing about The Dude is, I always ask people..

people come up to me and say, 'God, well, thank you, cause the movie's about you.' And I say 'Well, what do you like about The Dude so much? He's a f--king slacker.' They say, 'He tells it like it is and he is loyal to his friends.' That's one of the reasons that movie is a big movie, and survived, is people like that whole thing.'" And survive it did. "The Big Lebowski" is now heralded as one of the best comedy films of all time by critics, and Dowd has yet to escape the "Lebowski" association. "Virtually every actor who's ever met me, from Redford to whoever, they all like to do 'The Dude.'" he said. "Harrison Ford comes up to me at some event and goes, 'Wow, I heard you were here! I want to meet you.'" Luckily for Dowd, he has no problem living his life tied to The Dude audiences fell in love with in "The Big Lebowski." "Here's my whole take on the whole 'Big Lebowski' thing," he said. "It's a great gift to me.

I can go anywhere in the world and when people see me, I'm automatically their friend." "On a more fundamental level," he added. "it allows me to go to a college campus [to speak]. It allows me to have an audience but also they'll party with me afterwards." While he developed his adventurous spirit and love of a good time, Dowd's nickname of The Dude dates back to his childhood. "My last name's Dowd so everybody used to riff on it," he explained. When he started getting called "Dude" in one circle of friends, "without telling anybody [else], everybody starts calling me The Dude." "It came very naturally as a nickname, it is not a self-appointed nickname." But as we all know, if someone wants to call Dowd "The Dude," The Dude abides. Jeff Dowd ‘The Big Lebowski’ actor dies at 85 ‘The Big Lebowski’ actor dies at 85 By AFP : Print American actor David Huddleston, who played The Big Lebowski in the film of the same name, has died in Santa Fe, a newspaper reported Thursday. He was 85.

Huddleston died on Tuesday of heart and kidney disease, his wife, Sarah Koeppe, told the Los Angeles Times. A big man known for his tough guy characters, Huddleston's most famous role came late in life when he played opposite Jeff Bridges in the cult hit Coen brothers film "The Big Lebowski," which came out in 1998. Portraying a millionaire, he had only a few but pivotal scenes as thugs confused the wealthy Lebowski with Bridges' character "the Dude." Huddleston also had roles in TV series including "The West Wing," "Gilmore Girls" and "The Wonder Years." On the big screen, he appeared in Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles," "Santa Claus: The Movie," and "The Producers." Koeppe told the LA Times that her husband would always say, "I was in every cult film, but it never got the money when I needed it to." Huddleston was born in Virginia and had served in the US Air Force before studying acting in New York.

Question: What was the nickname of the character played by Jeff Bridges in the 1998 film "The Big Lebowski"?
Answer: The Dude