Saturday, April 07, 2007

Todd Bridges

Todd Bridges is a former child star who played the part of "Willis Jackson" on the hit TV sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, which ran from 1978-1986. Willis was the older brother of Arnold Jackson (played by fellow washed-up celebrity Gary Coleman). The Jacksons were the black children from a poor Harlem background whose deceased mother previously worked for a rich white widower Phillip Drummond (played by Conrad Bain), who eventually adopted them. I always enjoyed Diff'rent Strokes, although I will admit that the show really ran out of steam by the mid-1980s.

When Diff'rent Strokes was finally cancelled, Bridges' entertainment career hit a standstill and he quickly turned to drugs and a life of crime. Bridges was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm in 1983, near the end of his time on Diff'rent Strokes, and Bridges was fined $240. In 1987 Bridges was arrested for armed robbery after being accused of pulling a gun on a mechanic and taking back his BMW without paying the $500 bill (the charge was later dropped after a witness said wasn't sure if it was Bridges). Bridges also received a suspended sentence in 1987 after pleading no contest to charges of making a bomb threat against an auto customizer. Bridges was later arrested in 1988 on suspicion of reckless driving.

Although those were all serious crimes, they pale in comparison to the criminal charges brought against Bridges on February 2, 1989. On that day, in the midst of a four-day cocaine bender, the then-23-year-old actor was arrested on suspicion of shooting an accused drug dealer at a South Central L.A. crack den. Prosecutors claimed that Bridges (who later admitted to a 14-gram-a-day cocaine habit) shot an accused drug dealer eight times at close range (the man survived his wounds).

Bridges was jailed and bail was set at $2 million. Bridges must have soiled his pants when the charges were brought because he paid superlawyer (and later O.J. Simpson murder defense lawyer) Johnnie Cochran to represent him. Bridges, who said that he had turned to drugs to cope with personal problems, testified that he was so intoxicated on cocaine on the night in question that he couldn't remember whether he had fired the shots. Two juries eventually cleared Bridges of all charges.

Despite the acquittal, Bridges failed to clean up his act. In 1990 Bridges was arrested on suspicion of cocaine possession (no charges were filed). On March 7, 1993 Bridges was arrested for stabbing a border at his home. On December 29, 1993, Bridges was arrested for transporting methamphetamine (speed). In 1997 he was charged with assault with a deadly weapon after he repeatedly rammed a friend in another car in a fit of rage. He pled guilty to the lesser charge of vandalism, performed court-ordered community service and paid a fine.

Bridge's criminal behavior eventually died down as he finally sobered up in the late 1990s. Since then Bridges has attempted to make a triumphant return to acting. Unfortunately for Bridges, the best roles he has been able to obtain are roles portraying himself as a washed-up actor on FOX TV shows. In 2002 he fought fellow washed-up celebrity Vanilla Ice on Celebrity Boxing, and in 2006 he appeared on Skating with Celebrities.

For all of the many reasons set forth above, Todd Bridges is one washed-up celebrity!

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?

Anonymous said...

Anyone know how much he'd charge to double-bang me with Vanilla Ice after their boxing bout? Their rates must be pretty cheap I'd have thought..?

Anonymous said...

What a complete Uncle Tom!

Anonymous said...

His boxing might be a bit poor but he sure has an excellent ring!

Anonymous said...

I like to have my ring bashed by a black lad once in a while.

Anonymous said...

He was on Chris Rock show recently.

Anonymous said...

todd is cool.

Anonymous said...

I cannot believe all the racist posts on here. Someone actually wrote "doesn't surprise me, he's a nigger"- when the majority of arrested performers on this site are white!

Anonymous said...

Todd is cool, he's the best on smoking gun

Anonymous said...

todd is a great man.he went trough lot"s of challenges.i think he is awesome.And people should not talk about him because he is probaly better than them.That is all the cool man has to say.

Anonymous said...

yeah if he is such a great guy why has he reduced himself to doing comic book conventions,signing autographs?
and on top of that he was an arrogant prick.
hey willis? know where i can get a bag of coke?

dean said...

I usually do not read these blogs, but some of the racial comments on this page is pretty scary. Why don't you racist punks place you name and email address instead of anonymous. I'm sure you will get plenty of fucked up remarks.

Anonymous said...

Todd Bridges looks just like my teacher who is African American that I had in middle school and he has the exact name from the character Willis Jackson from different strokes name Mr.Willis.

Anonymous said...

You stink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

an author, 16 years of sobriety, a happy marriage, beautiful children... he's turned out just fine after all he's been through...

Anonymous said...

Most of the pink bigots on here would probably shit in their pants if they had to face him he can outbox any of the snotskins on here posting I betcha

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

I cannot believe all the racist posts on here. Someone actually wrote "doesn't surprise me, he's a nigger"- when the majority of arrested performers on this site are white!

October 10, 2008 11:50 P

anonymous-
do you think most of the arrested "peformers" on this site are white possibly because theres like a 100 to 1 ratio of white people to black people in the entertainment industry? just a thought. unless your watching BET i suppose

Anonymous said...

Dear, Todd, I just watched you on Oprah Show, Thank God your all right, Give that Mother of your"s a big kiss, & hug, for haning in with you. I"m glad you found, our lord & saviour Jesus. God Bless you.\Remember, living with people & places in the past, will sink you.Please be carefull. Good luck, all the best too you & your family.
Your friend Charles G. Mc Namara,N.S Canada.

Anonymous said...

(PEOPLE.com) -- First Joni Richardson endured the death of her daughter-in-law, Diff'rent Strokes star Dana Plato, in 1999. Now almost exactly 11 years later, Plato's son, Tyler Lambert, committed suicide at the age of 25.

"It's a shame that such a talented human being would do this with his life," Richardson told PEOPLE. "He had all the opportunities in the world and we just can't understand it."

According to Richardson, her grandson, a cameraman and amateur songwriter, had long struggled with his mother's premature death at age 36.

Plato died of a prescription pill overdose on May 8, 1999. It was around the time of Mother's Day, Richardson notes, making the anniversary that much harder.

Lambert died of a gunshot wound to the head on May 6. At the time, Richardson claims, he had been experimenting with drugs and alcohol, a factor she believes contributed directly to his death.

"He was talking so sweet to me on the phone that morning," she said. "But you never can tell what's in their mind."

She added that Lambert's body is being cremated, and there will be no memorial.

"Our lives have just been wrapped around him," Richardson said. "It's just devastating."

Anonymous said...

I feel so sorry for all those people making disgusting comments on this site. Its fine to criticize another anonymously!!! We have all made bad choices in our lives clearly these are a good indication that you racists are on the right path. Todd glad you have made your way back. Cheers for all your great performances and God bless your family. CS Nova Scotia Canada

Anonymous said...

I was at an autograph show recently and saw Todd Bridges sitting at his dealer table. There was no one around so I spoke to him for a few minutes. He seemed a little out of sorts that he was completely alone and not selling anything. Later, I heard that a girl approached him at his table and that he refused to talk to her unless she bought something. I see that an auction just ended on eBay for lunch with Todd. 36 views and no bids.

frncschrrsn@yahoo.com said...

dear todd,
i don't think you're wash up at all
i believe,you still have stayin
power.you are still a great actor.
i can recalled you playing in roots
and in little house in the prairies
you had an important job to do,and
you deliverd it very well.matter of
fact,it was very hard work,even for
a young kid to do.i just want to let you known you are appreciate
thank you,todd

frncschrrsn said...

dear todd
i don't think you're wash up actor,
i believe you are a great actor,i
can recalled,your great works in roots,little house praired.you have stayin power,Todd,i just want
you to know you are appreciated.

thank you, Mr Todd Bridges

Anonymous said...

Kind of crazy he is the only one of Mr' D's kids still above ground. Who would of thunk it

Down Under Dude said...

I like to watch obscure and lesser known films and I remember seeing Todd Bridges in a horror movie from 1988 called TWICE DEAD. It's out on dvd.

Anonymous said...

All of us have made mistakes, some more than others, but the racist remarks are unbelieveable but thats what ignorance will do. Proud to be black, always will be. Keep keeping on Todd

Anonymous said...

Sounds to me like he shouldn't of had a chance to even have a life or family. Man our system is fucked up. The fact that he isn't incarcerated and making thousands of dolars on true tv is bs. No I am not raciest it sounds like he has way more then 3 strikes and attempted murder is kind of a big deal

Anonymous said...

We should all be glad that Todd Bridges has changed his life for the better. As for the people making racist and sexual postings, it's better to be a has-been than a never-been.

Anonymous said...

Edward Furlong (whose birth name was Edward Tafoya) has sunk lower than Bridges did. He's a woman-bveater who's in jail and late on child support. A talented actor, but a terrible person, he's been give far more chances than many other washed up celebrities. Is he going to be listed here?

Anonymous said...

Hey I noticed he is wearing ice skates in that one picture. What kind of a crappy gimmick is that? Am I supposed to believe that a drug addled ghetto bastard can skate? Lame. This guy can overdose for all I care, it would actually do him some good. It would do everone alot of good.

Terry McGee said...

Todd and Jaleel White almost killed each other during a Blood and Crip turf war in LA sometime around 1990. Todd was repping the Drummond Boyz Blood set and Jaleel was repping the Annoying MOFOs Crip set.

Anonymous said...

YOU ALL SHOULD BE ASHAMED. CAST JUDGMENT ON YOURSELF YAL COULD USE A BIG HARD LOOK IN THE MIRROR. OH GROW THE F UP WHILE U AT IT.

Unknown said...

Its funny how you think you know me the ones with the really mean and racist remarks but I don't hate you I forgive you