Betty A. Bridges Passes Away at Age 83

Betty A. Bridges, a seasoned actress known for her roles in popular TV series like Good Times and ER, has passed away. She died on Tuesday, August 27, at the Phoenix home of her son, Todd Bridges, famous for his role in Diff’rent Strokes. According to her representative Elizabeth Much, Betty Bridges was 83 but her cause of death has not been disclosed.

Following her death, her son Todd Bridges took to social media to pay tribute to his mother. He posted a heartfelt message along with a photo of her, overlayed with the text “1941-2024. Betty Bridges.” He also shared a video montage filled with images of his mother through the years, set to Everly Fair’s rendition of the Donna Lewis song “I Love You Always Forever.”

Betty Bridges was born on August 1, 1941. Her acting career flourished over four decades, starting in the 1970s. She had her first guest-starring role in a 1974 episode of Police Woman. She later appeared in notable roles on two Norman Lear shows. One of her memorable roles was in a 1975 episode of Good Times titled “The Wiggler.” In this episode, she played Charlene “The Nude,” who asks Jimmie Walker’s character, J.J., to paint a nude portrait of her as a gift for her husband. In 1976, she took on a recurring role as Bina on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and guest-starred as Corporal Sedgewick on Charlie’s Angels.

Throughout her career, Bridges was recognized for her guest roles on a wide range of shows, including well-known titles such as Hill Street Blues, ER, 2 Broke Girls, Dallas, Beverly Hills, 90210, Ally McBeal, The Practice, Scrubs, NYPD Blue, CHiPs, Wonder Woman, Days of Our Lives, and Lou Grant. She also guest-starred twice on Diff’rent Strokes, where her son Todd Bridges was one of the main characters, portraying Willis Jackson.

Her talent extended to the big screen as well, where she was featured in films like Night at the Roxbury, The Concrete Jungle, and Building Bridges. The latter was a 1990 documentary written and directed by her sons Todd and Jimmy Bridges, who is also an actor.

In addition to her acting pursuits, Betty Bridges was a prominent Hollywood manager and acting coach. She was one of the founders of Kane Bridge Academy, an acting school where she was a dedicated teacher. The school operated out of her Los Angeles home and had an impressive roster of students, including Nia Long, Tony O’Dell, Sanaa Lathan, Marcus Chong, Shashawnee Hall, and sisters Regina and Reina King.

Betty Bridges leaves behind her sons Todd and Jimmy, her daughter Verda Bridges Prpich, her adopted son Zerondrick Hubbard, and several grandchildren.