Betty Bridges obit

Betty A. Bridges Dies: 40-Year Actor On ‘Good Times’, ‘ER’, ‘Hill Street Blues’ & Mother Of Todd Bridges Was 83

 

She was not on the list.

Betty A. Bridges, who guested on dozen of popular TV series during a 40-year career ranging from Good Times and Charlie’s Angels to Lou Grant and Hill Street Blues to ER and 2 Broke Girls and later was a prominent acting coach, died August 27. She was 83.

She died at the Phoenix home of her son, Diff’rent Strokes and reality TV star Todd Bridges, where she had been in hospice care. Rep Elizabeth Much confirmed her death to Deadline, but no cause was given.

Born on August 1, 1941, Betty Bridges got her screen start guesting on such 1970s TV shows as Police Woman, Charlie’s Angels and Norman Lear’s Good Times and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. She continued to work consistently for much of the next four decades, mostly in TV. She made guest appearances in popular series including Wonder Woman; What’s Happening!!; Quincy, M.E.; CHiPs; Lou Grant; Diff’rent Strokes; Hill Street Blues; Dallas; Beverly Hills, 90210; Ally McBeal, The Practice, NYPD Blue, Scrubs and 2 Broke Girls.

Along the way, Bridges also appeared on the big screen in A Night at the Roxbury, Rooster, The Concrete Jungle and others. She also appeared in the 2000 short film Building Bridges, written and directed by her sons Todd and Jimmy Bridges, the latter also a veteran actor.

She became a prominent Hollywood manager and acting coach and co-founded Kane Bridge Academy, an acting school where she was a popular teacher. She worked mainly with children, particularly minorities, and eventually ran her acting school out of her Los Angeles home, often letting neighborhood children take classes for free. Her students included Nia Long, Tony O’Dell, Sanaa Lathan, Marcus Chong, Shashawnee Hall and sisters Regina and Reina King, the family said.

Betty Bridges played a crucial role in Todd’s recovery from addiction. Her family said her tough love and unwavering support highlighted the profound impact of family and friends in overcoming life’s toughest battles.

Along with son Todd and his wife Bettijo Bridges, she is survived by son Jimmy Bridges, daughter Verda Bridges Prpich, adopted son Zerondrick Hubbard and grandchildren Penny Bae Bridges, Brooke Marie Bridges, Raei Bridges, Mikai Emanuel Bridges, Paxton Isaiah Bridges, Radd Prpich, Bo Bridges, Spencir Bridges, Attalie Anne, Piper Hirschi, Modette Hirschi and Rockwell Hirschi.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation.

 

Actress

Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs in 2 Broke Girls (2011)

2 Broke Girls

6.7

TV Series

Elderly Woman

2014

1 episode

 

Dogcatchers (2013)

Dogcatchers

Short

Old Lady

2013

 

John C. McGinley, Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Neil Flynn, Ken Jenkins, and Judy Reyes in Scrubs (2001)

Scrubs

8.4

TV Series

Ms. Simmons

2010

1 episode

 

Charlie Murphy and Al Shearer in The Hustle (2008)

The Hustle

4.6

Evelyn

2008

 

Alex O'Loughlin in Moonlight (2007)

Moonlight

7.6

TV Series

Paula

2007

1 episode

 

Todd Bridges, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Cynda Williams in Frankie D (2007)

Frankie D

7.4

Betty Cunningham

2007

 

Tim Daly in The Nine (2006)

The Nine

6.5

TV Series

Natalie Simmons

2007

1 episode

 

Foster Babies (2007)

Foster Babies

8.0

Video

Mary

2007

 

Big Ball'n (2007)

Big Ball'n

6.0

Video

Thelma

2007

 

NYPD Blue (1993)

NYPD Blue

7.8

TV Series

Clara Peeler

Charlotte

1998–2004

2 episodes

 

Cold Case (2003)

Cold Case

7.6

TV Series

Dorothy

2003

1 episode

 

Black Ball (2003)

Black Ball

5.3

Annie Mae

2003

 

Lara Flynn Boyle, Dylan McDermott, Steve Harris, and Kelli Williams in The Practice (1997)

The Practice

7.7

TV Series

Female Juror (as Betty Bridges)

2001

1 episode

 

The District (2000)

The District

7.2

TV Series

Madilyn Radcliff

2001

1 episode

 

Calista Flockhart in Ally McBeal (1997)

Ally McBeal

6.9

TV Series

Foreperson

Clerk

1997–2001

3 episodes

 

Jessica Biel, Beverley Mitchell, Barry Watson, David Gallagher, Catherine Hicks, Mackenzie Rosman, and Happy in 7th Heaven (1996)

7th Heaven

5.3

TV Series

Older Nurse

2001

1 episode

 

Building Bridges (2000)

Building Bridges

6.9

Betty Bridges (1990)

2000

 

Amanda Peet, Ivan Sergei, Justin Kirk, Sarah Paulson, Jaime Pressly, and Simon Rex in Jack & Jill (1999)

Jack & Jill

7.2

TV Series

Judge Reese (as Betty Bridges)

1999

1 episode

 

Gina Gershon, Danny Nucci, and Paula Jai Parker in Snoops (1999)

Snoops

6.7

TV Series

Ellen

1999

1 episode

 

George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, Julianna Margulies, Ming-Na Wen, Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Alex Kingston, Eriq La Salle, Kellie Martin, Paul McCrane, Michael Michele, Erik Palladino, Maura Tierney, and Goran Visnjic in ER (1994)

ER

7.9

TV Series

Cashier

1999

1 episode

 

JoBeth Williams, Julie Benz, Rick Batalla, and John Larroquette in Payne (1999)

Payne

4.2

TV Series

Woman

1999

1 episode

 

Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan in A Night at the Roxbury (1998)

A Night at the Roxbury

6.2

Zadir Receptionist (as Betty Bridges-Nicasio)

1998

 

A Devil Disguised

Short

Derek's mother

1997

 

A Day in the Life of Mia

Betty

1997

 

Luke Perry, Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, Brian Austin Green, Ian Ziering, and Gabrielle Carteris in Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990)

Beverly Hills, 90210

6.5

TV Series

Registrar (as Betty Bridges-Nicasio)

1996

1 episode

 

Tamera Mowry-Housley, Tim Reid, Jackée Harry, and Tia Mowry in Sister, Sister (1994)

Sister, Sister

6.3

TV Series

Woman (as Betty Bridges-Nicasio)

1996

1 episode

 

John Ritter and Mary Page Keller in The Colony (1995)

The Colony

5.7

TV Movie

Mike's Nurse

1995

 

Vivica A. Fox, Morris Chestnut, Patti LaBelle, Duane Martin, and Simon O'Brien in Out All Night (1992)

Out All Night

7.6

TV Series

Lady at Reunion (as Betty Bridges-Nicasio)

1993

1 episode

 

Stacey Dash, Matt LeBlanc, Teri Polo, Alex Désert, and Sam Robards in TV 101 (1988)

TV 101

7.0

TV Series

Mrs. Donaldson

Secretary

1988–1989

2 episodes

 

Joaquin Phoenix in Secret Witness (1988)

Secret Witness

5.8

TV Movie

Mrs. Diamond (as Betty Bridges)

1988

 

The Judge (1986)

The Judge

TV Series

Mrs. Hudson

1987

1 episode

 

Take Two (1987)

Take Two

4.6

Prison Matron (as Betty Bridges)

1987

 

Angie Dickinson and Ben Gazzara in Police Story: The Freeway Killings (1987)

Police Story: The Freeway Killings

6.3

TV Movie

Eunice

1987

 

Victoria Principal, Barbara Bel Geddes, Patrick Duffy, Larry Hagman, Charlene Tilton, Jim Davis, Linda Gray, and Steve Kanaly in Dallas (1978)

Dallas

7.1

TV Series

(as Betty Bridges)

1987

1 episode

 

Our House (1986)

Our House

7.2

TV Series

(as Betty Bridges)

1986

1 episode

 

Days of Our Lives (1965)

Days of Our Lives

5.2

TV Series

Susan (as Betty Bridges)

1986

1 episode

 

Morgan Fairchild, Terry Farrell, Lloyd Bridges, and Nicollette Sheridan in Paper Dolls (1984)

Paper Dolls

6.7

TV Series

Carol

1984

2 episodes

 

Robert Clohessy, Michael Warren, and Bruce Weitz in Hill Street Blues (1981)

Hill Street Blues

8.2

TV Series

Mrs. Donnelly (as Betty Bridges)

1984

1 episode

 

The Young Landlords (1983)

The Young Landlords

TV Movie

Mrs. Williams (as Betty Bridges)

1983

 

The Paper Chase (1973)

The Paper Chase

8.1

TV Series

(as Betty Bridges)

1983

1 episode

 

Diff'rent Strokes (1978)

Diff'rent Strokes

6.6

TV Series

Mrs. Jackson

Mrs. Brooks (as Betty Bridges)

1979–1982

2 episodes

 

Crisis Counselor (1982)

Crisis Counselor

6.2

TV Series

1982

1 episode

 

The Concrete Jungle (1982)

The Concrete Jungle

4.8

Officer Pierce (as Betty Bridges)

1982

 

Rooster (1982)

Rooster

6.8

TV Movie

Nurse (as Betty Bridges)

1982

 

Edward Asner in Lou Grant (1977)

Lou Grant

7.3

TV Series

Reporter (as Betty Bridges)

1982

1 episode

 

Flamingo Road (1980)

Flamingo Road

6.5

TV Series

Emergency Nurse

1981–1982

3 episodes

 

Redd Foxx in Sanford (1980)

Sanford

6.7

TV Series

Woman #3

1981

1 episode

 

Condominium (1980)

Condominium

6.3

TV Mini Series

Nurse (as Betty Bridges)

1980

2 episodes

 

Corey Feldman, Shane Butterworth, Tricia Cast, Billy Jayne, Sparky Marcus, Meeno Peluce, and Kristoff St. John in The Bad News Bears (1979)

The Bad News Bears

6.8

TV Series

Mother

1980

1 episode

 

Martin Balsam, Carroll O'Connor, Danielle Brisebois, and Jean Stapleton in Archie Bunker's Place (1979)

Archie Bunker's Place

6.4

TV Series

Woman (as Betty Bridges)

1980

1 episode

 

Gil Gerard and Erin Gray in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979)

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

6.9

TV Series

Technician (as Betty Bridges)

1980

1 episode

 

Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox in CHiPs (1977)

CHiPs

6.5

TV Series

Employee (as Betty Bridges)

1980

1 episode

 

Jack Klugman in Quincy, M.E. (1976)

Quincy, M.E.

7.3

TV Series

Mrs. Dono

Principal (as Betty Bridges)

1979

2 episodes

 

Joanna Cassidy, Mark Harmon, and John Bennett Perry in 240-Robert (1979)

240-Robert

7.3

TV Series

Nurse (as Betty Bridges)

1979

1 episode

 

What's Happening!! (1976)

What's Happening!!

7.0

TV Series

Mrs. Nelson

1977–1979

2 episodes

 

Backstairs at the White House (1979)

Backstairs at the White House

8.3

TV Mini Series

Vietta (as Betty Bridges)

1979

1 episode

 

Lynda Carter in Wonder Woman (1975)

Wonder Woman

7.0

TV Series

Receptionist (as Betty Bridges)

1978

1 episode

 

Meredith Baxter, Kristy McNichol, James Broderick, Gary Frank, and Sada Thompson in Family (1976)

Family

7.6

TV Series

Nurse Owens

1978

1 episode

 

Gregory Harrison and Heather Menzies-Urich in Logan's Run (1977)

Logan's Run

7.1

TV Series

Fontaine (as Betty Bridges)

1977

1 episode

 

Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith in Charlie's Angels (1976)

Charlie's Angels

6.6

TV Series

Cpl. Sedgewick (as Betty Bridges)

1976

1 episode

 

Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976)

Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman

7.9

TV Series

Bina

1976

3 episodes

 

John Amos, Ralph Carter, Ja'net DuBois, Esther Rolle, BernNadette Stanis, and Jimmie 'JJ' Walker in Good Times (1974)

Good Times

7.4

TV Series

Charlene (as Betty Bridges)

1975

1 episode

 

Angie Dickinson in Police Woman (1974)

Police Woman

6.6

TV Series

Deputy #3 (as Betty Bridges)

1974

1 episode

 

Director

A Day in the Life of Mia

Director

1997

 

Writer

A Day in the Life of Mia

Writer

1997