Todd Bridges

Todd Bridges

Active - 1977 - 2020  |   Born - May 27, 1965 in San Fernando, California, United States  |   Genres - Comedy, Drama, Music

Share on

Biography by AllMovie

Actor Todd Bridges is probably best known as big brother Willis on the classic '80s sitcom Diff'rent Strokes. He was only 13 years old when he was cast in the series in 1978, though he had already cut his teeth in the world of television on shows like Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons. Even before that, Bridges had scored gigs in commercials, and his family had relocated from San Francisco to L.A. to support his young career when he was just six. He stayed with Diff'rent Strokes until 1986, when the series ended, and like a lot of child stars, Bridges had a hard time transitioning into the world of adult acting. He began to struggle with drug problems and trouble with the law, and the struggles forced the actor to move his career to the back burner as he battled to become free of addiction.

With time and work, however, Bridges did surmount his problems and emerged ready to take on the world of acting again. He began a production company with his brother, Little Bridge Productions, and began working behind the camera too, directing 2003's Blackball. Additionally, Bridges has toured the country, speaking at schools on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

Movie Highlights

See Full Filmography

Factsheet

  • Family moved from San Francisco to Los Angeles when he was 6 years old.
  • Entire family was featured in a Jell-O TV commercial.
  • Made his TV series debut in 1972 on the CBS drama The Waltons.  
  • Cast in first regular series role as Loomis in the 1977 ABC sitcom Fish, which was also about a racially blended family. 
  • In March 2000, produced a short autobiographical movie Building Bridges; wrote, directed and starred in the project.