Betty A. Bridges was a teacher and actress known for guest spots on such TV shows as “Diff’rent Strokes,” on which she appeared alongside her son, Todd Bridges.
- Died: August 27, 2024 (Who else died on August 27?)
- Details of death: Died at her son Todd’s home in Phoenix at the age of 83.
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Betty A. Bridges’s legacy
Bridges began her professional acting career in the mid-1970s at around the same time her son, Todd, was becoming a child actor. Though she never had a breakout starring role, she became a familiar face as a character actress with her many TV roles. In addition to working with her son on “Diff’rent Strokes,” she had a memorable guest spot on “Good Times,” where she played a woman modeling for J.J. to paint a risqué picture for her husband, played by Carl Weathers (1948–2024). She also appeared on such hit shows as “Charlie’s Angels,” “Flamingo Road,” “Hill Street Blues,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Ally McBeal,” “NYPD Blue,” and “Scrubs.” Her most recent credit was a 2014 episode of “2 Broke Girls.”
In addition to her acting career, Bridges worked as a manager, and she taught her craft to other actors. She was the co-founder of Kane Bridge Academy, an acting school, where her students included Regina King, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, and Marcus Chong.
A mother to four children, one of them adopted, Bridges also became known for her family life. As her famous son struggled with addiction and had brushes with the law in the 1980s and early ‘90s, she worked hard to help him overcome his problems. She later spoke candidly about the measures she took to support Todd’s recovery. In her memory, her family has suggested donations to Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation, which supports recovery from substance use disorder.
Tributes to Betty A. Bridges
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
