Betty A. Bridges, Actress and Mother of Todd Bridges, Dies at 83

Betty A. Bridges, an actress and the mother of Diff’rent Strokes star Todd Bridges who appeared on her son’s sitcom, Hill Street Blues, Ally McBeal and many other shows, has died. She was 83.

Bridges died Wednesday in hospice care at Todd’s home in Phoenix, publicist Elizabeth Much announced.

During her four-decade career, Betty Alice Bridges appeared on everything from Police Woman, Good Times, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Charlie’s Angels, Wonder Woman and Quincy, M.E. to Flamingo Road, Lou Grant, Dallas, NYPD Blue, ER and Scrubs.

The Dallas native also was seen in such films as A Night at the Roxbury (1998) and Building Bridges (2000), a 45-minute documentary about Todd, who as a child actor in Hollywood dealt with his share of trouble.

Bridges was a manager and acting coach, too; she co-founded Kane Bridge Academy, and among her students were Nia Long, sisters Reina and Regina King, Sanaa Lathan, Tony O’Dell, Marcus Chong and Shashawnee Hall.

In addition to Todd, 59, survivors include her other children, Jimmy Bridges and Verda Bridges, also actors, and Zerondrick; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was married to talent agent James Bridges Sr. from 1960 until their 1983 divorce.

Bridges played a crucial role in Todd’s recovery from addiction, and “her tough love and unwavering support highlight the profound impact of family and friends in overcoming life’s toughest battles,” her family noted.

Donations in her name can be made to the Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation to “celebrate the life of Betty and the recovery that Todd lives every day.”