One day earlier this week, the actor Jeff Bridges found himself sprinting through New York's Central Park with his wife, Susan. The two had been taking a walk when they stopped to watch an acrobatic group. Without recognizing the actor, the performers grabbed his wife and pulled her into the ring for their next feat. Instead of standing by, Mr. Bridges yelled, "I'm a crazy white man, and I have an appointment, and I'm taking my girl with me!" Then he and his wife made a run for it.

The 64-year-old actor was in town...