Questions
Who made The Big Lebowski and when did it come out?
It was written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen and released in 1998. It runs 117 minutes.
Who plays The Dude?
Jeff Bridges plays Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski. The cast also includes John Goodman as Walter Sobchak, Julianne Moore as Maude, Steve Buscemi as Donny, and John Turturro as Jesus Quintana.
Was The Dude based on a real person?
The character reportedly drew from three real people, including film producer and activist Jeff Dowd, who was a member of the Seattle Seven, loved White Russians, and was actually nicknamed "The Dude."
Where did the movie’s plot about a ruined rug come from?
It was reportedly inspired by USC film faculty member Peter Exline, a Vietnam vet who cherished a rug. His impounded car turned up a homework sheet signed by a teenager named Larry Sellers, which became the film’s central plot device.
Was Jeff Bridges the first choice for The Dude?
Mel Gibson was reportedly considered but did not take the pitch seriously. Bridges initially worried the role would set a bad example for his daughters until his daughter Jessica convinced him to take it.
Did Jeff Bridges pick The Dude’s clothes?
Yes. Bridges drew on his own 1960s and 70s lifestyle and picked his own wardrobe together with the costume department.
Who almost played the millionaire Big Lebowski?
The role was hard to cast. Robert Duvall, Anthony Hopkins, Gene Hackman, and Jack Nicholson were reportedly approached before David Huddleston was cast about one month before filming.
Why does The Dude drive a Ford Torino?
The Coens changed The Dude’s car from a Chrysler LeBaron, which Jeff Dowd actually owned, to a Ford Torino because John Goodman would not fit in the smaller vehicle.
Was Julianne Moore pregnant during filming?
Reportedly yes. Moore worked only two weeks while secretly pregnant, and her son was born in December 1997.
How did they film the rolling bowling ball shots?
The Coens reportedly mounted a camera on something like a barbecue spit to capture the rolling ball footage, and used CGI for the shot looking out from the ball’s thumb hole.
What is the movie loosely based on?
It was loosely inspired by Raymond Chandler’s detective fiction, borrowing its narrative structure and voice-over narration. Roger Ebert compared The Dude to Chandler’s Philip Marlowe.
How did the film do at the box office?
On a budget of about $15 million it earned $48.3 million worldwide. Reviews were initially mixed, and Ebert raised his rating from three to four stars and added it to his Great Movies list in 2010.
What do fans of the film call themselves?
Devoted fans call themselves "Achievers." There is also an annual bowling event called Lebowski Fest, which launched in Louisville, Kentucky in 2002 with about 150 attendees.
Is there really a religion based on The Dude?
Yes. Dudeism, founded in 2005 and also called the Church of the Latter-Day Dude, has reportedly ordained over 220,000 "Dudeist Priests" worldwide.
Has the film been recognized as a classic?
In 2014 it was selected for the U.S. National Film Registry as culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. Two African spider species and an extinct conifer genus have even been named after the film.
