Winona Ryder Says Jeff Bridges Refused to Kiss Her During ‘Fearless’ Audition

Winona Ryder says Jeff Bridges She refused to kiss him during an audition for the 1993 film “Fearless,” but for good reason.

In a new episode of Josh Horowitz Podcast “Happy, sad and confused”The 52-year-old “Beetlejuice” star reflected on an audition the two did together for the thriller.

The script called for Bridges to kiss Ryder at the end of the scene, but Bridges refused because he was “too young,” Ryder said. Instead, he gave her a kiss on the forehead.

According to Ryder, Bridges told her at the time: “You are the same age as my daughter.”

And Ryder, a huge fan of hers, recalled his reaction: “I was like, ‘Nooo, I love you!’”

“Fearless,” directed by Peter Weir, follows a traveler named Max (Bridges) who develops a sense of invulnerability after surviving a plane crash. The film hit theaters in 1993, meaning Ryder would have been around 22 when they auditioned together and Bridges would have been around 44.

Ryder ultimately did not land a role in “Fearless,” but things worked out in her favor as she landed a part in Martin Scorsese’s film. “The Age of Innocence,” which earned the actress her first Oscar nomination.

At the beginning of the interview, Ryder, who starred in the 1988 teen comedy “Heathers,” said the film was a “graduation” of sorts.

“When you’re a teenage actor and a child, you always hear about transitioning into adult roles and how impossible it is,” he said. “And then you’re either a daughter, or you’re too young to be a district attorney or even a rookie cop.”

Watch Ryder’s “Happy Sad Confused” interview below.