Dan Chase is The Old Man's lethal fugitive — a former CIA operative who has lived off the grid for decades, only to have his violent past come hunting when he kills an intruder and goes on the run. Aging but still formidable, haunted by the choices that made him, Chase is a man whose quiet retirement detonates into a reckoning he can no longer outrun.
His arc is a slow-unfolding spy thriller wrapped around questions of identity, fatherhood, and the lies a life is built on. As Chase evades the agency he once served — and confronts figures from a buried chapter in Afghanistan — the series peels back the layers of who he really is, with the relationship to his daughter and a long-ago betrayal at its core. It's an action thriller with the soul of a character study.
Jeff Bridges's grizzled, magnetic performance — returning to TV after a serious illness — anchored the acclaimed FX series.
Key Episodes
S1 E1
I
Chase's off-grid life is shattered when his past comes hunting.
S1 E7
VII
The truth about Chase's past in Afghanistan is laid bare.
Dan Chase is one of the central figures in The Old Man, a thriller/drama series that aired on FX from 2022–2024. Within the narrative of The Old Man, Dan Chase serves as a pivotal character whose decisions and relationships drive key story arcs throughout Seasons 1–2. The character's journey has been central to many of the show's most memorable and discussed moments.
Portrayed by Jeff Bridges, Dan Chase has become one of the most recognizable characters in modern television. Jeff Bridges's performance brings nuance and depth to the role, creating a character that resonates with audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels. Jeff Bridges's work has been recognized with 1 major award, reflecting the critical acclaim their portrayal has received.
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? Frequently Asked Questions
Jeff Bridges plays Dan Chase, the former CIA operative on the run.
The Old Man is an FX spy thriller about a retired CIA operative whose violent past resurfaces, forcing him back on the run.
