Fifth time lucky Oscar winner Jeff Bridges pays tribute to his 'gorgeous wife of 33 years' at Governors Ball

By Emily Sheridan

Long time coming: Jeff Bridges cuddles up to his wife Susan Geston and his Best Actor Oscar at the Governor's Ball

After being nominated for an Oscar in 1971 for his first major starring role, it might have seemed that a lifetime of collecting the glittering gongs was in store for Jeff Bridges.

But the newcomer who shone so spectacularly in The Last Picture Show has had to wait 39 years to pick up his first Academy Award.

And last night the 60-year-old star of Crazy Heart set about enjoying his victory at the Governors Ball in the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel directly adjacent to the Kodak Theatre.
But not before paying a glowing tribute to his 'gorgeous wife', Susan Geston, to whom he has been married for 33 years.

Bridges joined a host of stars at the ball, including fellow Oscar winners Kathryn Bigelow and Sandra Bullock.


Oscar award statues won by the film "The Hurt Locker" are seen on a table at the Governor's Ball .


Bridges was inseparable from his wife as they worked the crowds lining up to congratulate him.

In his acceptance speech earlier that night, he paid tribute to his wife and three daughters Isabelle, Jessica and Hayley.

He said: 'I especially want to thank my gorgeous wife, Sue, we've been married 33 years. We have a beautiful family. Three girls, Isabelle, Jessie and Hayley. Thank you, guys. I wouldn't be up here without you. Thank you so much.'

The actor met his wife Susan on the set of one of his early films, Rancho Deluxe. He plucked up the courage to ask her out - and was promptly knocked back.

He revealed: 'We were shooting in a small town and I saw a pretty girl on set. She was beautiful, actually, the maid at my hotel.

'I finally worked up the courage to ask her out and she said, "No. Maybe I'll see you around." And as she predicted, we did bump into each other in a bar and fell madly in love.

'Now cut to 15 years later and I get a call from the make-up girl on that film and she said, "I've come across two pictures of a local girl on that film. You were asking her out."

'And they were photographs of the first word my wife ever said to me - which was "no".

'So I have a close-up of her and a shot of us that I carry in my wallet at all times.'

Lavish: The glamourous setting of the ballroom in the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel ahead of the Governors Ball

Bridges is the son of Lloyd Bridges, whose own celebrated career encompassed High Noon and Airplane!, and younger brother of Beau.

His nomination in 1971 was for Best Supporting Actor, as it was three years later for Thunderbolt And Lightfoot. Then in 1984 he was nominated for the top prize for his title role in Starman.

In 2000, his role as second-term Democratic U.S. President Jackson Evans in The Contender brought another nomination for Best Supporting Actor, but he has had to wait until now to taste real success.

He was a long odds-on favourite to win for Crazy Heart after winning a Golden Globe and a string of other gongs.


Excitement: Sandra Bullock watches an engraver putting her name on her Best Actress Oscar


Surreal: Bullock reads her newly-engraved Oscar as she celebrates with a female friend

He portrays a drunk country singer, Bad Blake, who is inspired to turn his life around by a young journalist, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Bridges was among the recipients who headed straight to the engraving table, which was placed at the ball for the first time ever so the winners could have their names etched onto their statuettes

In previous years, stars would have no way no identifying their Oscars apart and would have to send their accolade away to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to have their names attached.

This year's big winner Bigelow, whose Iraq war drama The Hurt Locker took home six trophies, including Best Director and Best Picture, was very excited by the development.


Support: Bullock enjoys a moment alone with her husband Jesse James


As she waited, she joked: 'It's like having your own sous chef.'

After having her name placed on the award, Bigelow joined The Hurt Locker's producers, screenwriter Mark Boal and studio boss Rob Freidman for dinner.

Their table was looking a bit cramped as the food and wine jostled for space with the many Oscars statuettes.


Too excited to eat: Kathryn Bigelow chats to screenwriter Mark Boal (left) and Summit Entertainment CEO Rob Freidman over dinner


Bridges was inseparable from his wife as they worked the crowds lining up to congratulate him.

In his acceptance speech earlier that night, he paid tribute to his wife and three daughters Isabelle, Jessica and Hayley.

He said: 'I especially want to thank my gorgeous wife, Sue, we've been married 33 years. We have a beautiful family. Three girls, Isabelle, Jessie and Hayley. Thank you, guys. I wouldn't be up here without you. Thank you so much.'


'Now don't you dare your eyes off it'; Best Supporting Actress winner Mo'Nique entrusts her Oscar to husband Sidney Hicks


You can't win 'em all: James Cameron may have lost out on the main prizes for Avatar, but celebrated Best Art Direction with Art Director Kim Sinclair

Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck was in charge of the food again for the 16th year in a row, providing a tantalising menu of mini Kobe cheeseburgers, smoked salmon, caviar Oscars, black truffle chicken pot pie and Baked Alaska.

After the long awards show, there were no doubt plenty of hungry celebrities clambering to get into the Governors Ball.


We're all winners: Best Actress nominee Meryl Streep entertains Bigelow, Best Adapted Screenplay winner Geoffrey Fletcher and Best Original Screenplay winner Mark Boal


Feel like Chicken tonight? James Brolin, Barbra Streisand and Gerard Butler enjoy the main course black truffle Chicken Pot Pie

Maggie Gyllenhaal looked in good spirits as she sat with husband Peter Sarsgaard, despite losing out on the Best Supporting Actress trophy to Mo'Nique.

Comedienne-turned-serious actress Mo'Nique was a main attraction at the ball as her peers lined up to congratulate her on her win.

The Precious star was seen entrusting her golden statuette to her husband Sidney Hicks as she worked the room.


Rhapsody in blue: Talk show host Oprah Winfrey celebrated Gabourey Sibide's Oscar nomination


Talking point: Winfrey chats to Best Supporting Actor nominee Woody Harrelson and his wife Laura Louie

Mo'Nique was able to celebrate with Oprah Winfrey and director Tyler Perry, who she thanked in her speech for bringing publicity to the low-budget film.

Winfrey was spotted partying with Mo'Nique's Precious co-star Gabourey Sibide, who missed out on Best Actress to Bullock.

Newcomer Sibide has turned down an invite to ride in Winfrey's car to the awards, despite admitting she was a huge fan of the talk show queen.


Country co-stars: Best Supporting Actress nominee Maggie Gyllenhall enjoys her dinner, while Crazy Heart co-star Bridges shows off his newly-engraved Oscar

She said: 'Oprah called me and was like, "Hey girl, do you want to ride together?" I was like, "I got it Oprah, calm down. I don't want to show up with you. People will think we're too cool."

'She's the only person that I'm continually star-struck by. When I meet people I get used to them very quickly because everyone seems like a friend because I watch them on TV. But Oprah is the only one I can't get used to.'


Friendly: Best Supporting Actress nominee Anna Kendrick cosied up to Charlize Theron and Sigourney Weaver


Mingling: Robin Williams and John Travolta chatted over dinner (left) while Oscars host Alec Baldwin received a kiss on the cheek from Hairspray director Adam Shankman




source: dailymail