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Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern

Play trailer Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern 2026 1h 51m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tireless, uncompromising, and one of the last living legends of his generation, Bruce Dern is an actor whose fearlessness and radical lack of vanity took him places other actors simply wouldn't go. A devoted long-distance runner, Dern has always understood something most people learn too late: endurance is a discipline. He ran through the golden age - directed by Alfred Hitchcock and Hal Ashby, holding his own opposite John Wayne, Bette Davis, and Jack Nicholson. He ran through the lean years. And he kept running until the work caught up with him again - outlasting the very industry that defined him.

Critics Reviews

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Brian Tallerico RogerEbert.com 3d
He’s always been one of those admired actors who is not often mentioned enough on the lists of the best of his generation. This doc makes a convincing case he should be. Go to Full Review Steve Pond TheWrap 3d
So yes, the long-distance runner makes sense as a way to look at Bruce Dern – but it’s impossible to forget that “Dernsie” is as entertaining as it is because the guy is also one heck of a long-distance talker. Go to Full Review Caryn James The Hollywood Reporter 5d
Mostly the camera is close on his face as we listen to an old man with wiry grey hair and a distinctive gravelly voice -- Dern is now 89 -- tell stories. Fortunately, he is a terrific storyteller, as blunt as you might expect but wittier and warmer. Go to Full Review Chris Bumbray JoBlo's Movie Network 3d
A lovely tribute to one of our great character actors Go to Full Review Stephen Saito Moveable Fest 5d
While [Dern] recognizes that he’s approaching the finish line on the eve of turning 90, the film best reflects its subject when you want both to just keep going. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Mike Mendez

Director

Bruce Dern

Self

Laura Dern

Self

Quentin Tarantino

Self

Alexander Payne

Self

Billy Bob Thornton

Self
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Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern

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Movie Info

Synopsis Tireless, uncompromising, and one of the last living legends of his generation, Bruce Dern is an actor whose fearlessness and radical lack of vanity took him places other actors simply wouldn't go. A devoted long-distance runner, Dern has always understood something most people learn too late: endurance is a discipline. He ran through the golden age - directed by Alfred Hitchcock and Hal Ashby, holding his own opposite John Wayne, Bette Davis, and Jack Nicholson. He ran through the lean years. And he kept running until the work caught up with him again - outlasting the very industry that defined him.
Director
Mike Mendez
Producer
Mike Mendez, Benjamin Epstein, Thomas Verrette, Adam F. Goldberg
Screenwriter
Benjamin Epstein
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 51m