‘Diff’rent Strokes’ star Todd Bridges reveals final words to mother, ‘Good Times’ actress Betty A Bridges
Todd Bridges said that when his mother, actress Betty A. Bridges, died this summer, her last words to him were to tell her to go.
“Before he passed away he was a little bit awake, I kissed him on the forehead, I said, ‘Look if you want to go see your mom and your grandma and your brothers, you can go ahead mom. Go,'” the actor, who played Willis Jackson on “Diff’rent Strokes,” revealed to magazine People this week. “‘We’ll be fine,’ and about a few hours later, he was gone.”
The former “Diff’rent Strokes” alumnus, 59, was by his mother’s side when she died in late August while in the hospital room at her home in Phoenix. She was 83 years old.
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Todd Bridges said that when his mother, actress Betty A. Bridges, died this summer, her last words to him were to tell her to go. (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
“He was going through a lot of trouble, and I was glad God took him home,” Bridges told People. “When my mother passed away, I didn’t want her, but I also didn’t want to see her suffer anymore.”
Betty A. Bridges played a key role in Todd’s recovery from addiction, his lawyer shared after her death. “His strong love and unwavering support highlights the tremendous impact family and friends can have on overcoming life’s toughest battles,” a representative said.
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Betty A. Bridges and Todd Bridges in “Diff’rent Strokes” together. (Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Todd told People, “the reason I’m not sober is because of her,” adding that he “stood behind” her “no matter what.”
Along with “Good Times,” Betty is best known for her roles on “ER” and “2 Broke Girls.” She also appeared in “Quincy ME,” “Wonder Woman,” “Scrubs,” “NYPD Blue,” “What’s Going On!!” and “Diff’rent Strokes.”
He has also become a Hollywood manager and acting coach, with students such as Nia Long and Regina King.
Betty A. Bridges was hospice care at her son Todd’s home when he died in August at the age of 83. (Getty Images | East 2 West Collective)
Betty founded the Kane Bridge Academy, an acting school. Eventually he moved the school to his home in Los Angeles and would give free lessons to his neighbors.
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While he’s happy to take care of her, Todd told People that it’s hard to “watch her go down, knowing she’s not going to make it.”
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