Todd Bridges was a household name before his downward spiral (Image: undefined)
Diff’rent Strokes star Todd Bridges was just seven years old when he landed his first acting gig.
His career took off with a string of roles in commercials and TV shows, including The Love Boat and Barney Miller. He also made history as one of the first African-American actors to appear on beloved series such as The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie throughout the 1970s.
He subsequently joined the cast of Roots, before securing the role of Willis Jackson on Diff’rent Strokes, where he appeared alongside fellow child actors Gary Coleman and Dana Plato. The show was a massive success, captivating audiences for eight seasons before its cancellation in 1986.
Todd, now 60, descended into drug addiction once the show wrapped, and at his lowest point, he faced arrest for felony assault and cocaine possession. In 1989, he was taken into custody on murder charges relating to a drug dealer, accused of shooting him eight times following a cocaine binge.
After two trials and nine months behind bars, he was acquitted of all charges. In 1992, he faced arrest once more, subsequently entering a year-long drug rehabilitation program, reports The Mirror.
Todd with co-stars Gary Coleman and Dana Plato (Image: undefined)
The father of two has previously spoken about the moment he reached rock bottom and resolved to turn his life around. During a 2016 appearance on Dr. Oz, he revealed, “I was sober, and the judge (who had been 15 years sober at the time) told me I had to go to prison for 90 days because he wanted me to see what it was like.
“On his bench, he had a symbol which was an ace, and he said I will show you where you will be if you continue what you are doing.”
However, he recounts that upon arriving in prison, a confrontation with another inmate resulted in him being physically restrained with his arms and legs strapped down, and placed in an oversized diaper.
“From then, a light hit me. I’m a grown man in a diaper?” Todd explains. “Now I’m 26 years sober because of it.”
Todd Bridges in court being sentenced amid his downfall (Image: undefined)
Todd Bridges with his mother at the peak of his fame (Image: undefined)
Todd acknowledged that he was speaking out on the topic to emphasize that addiction is a genuine illness, while also stressing that the prospect of relapsing was the furthest thing from his mind. He said, “A relapse is not even in my thoughts. I have children to protect, a life to live.”
Todd further revealed that he no longer feared confronting any challenge, and had been completely transparent with his two children regarding his turbulent history.
Todd Bridges turned his life around and has been sober for 26 years (Image: undefined)
Todd gave credit to his fellow Diff’rent Strokes co-star, the late Conrad Bain, for stepping up as a paternal figure where his biological father had fallen short. He said, “He talked to me a lot, took me fishing. Talked about life. He came to see me several times. But when you’re caught up like that, it’s difficult. You have to realize you really want it.”
Todd then admitted, “I love life now. Life is the best thing in the world.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.the-express.com ’
