Child star Todd Bridges recalls ‘extreme racism’ growing up
Actor Todd Bridges who’s role in various commercials and TV shows “The Waltons” and “Different Strokes” says he’s experienced racism in his life.
“Here you are doing something spectacular for people and people are enjoying it, but then you go outside and you’re treated like you’re ignorant, dumb and stupid,” Bridges, 55, told Page Six. And as much as the popular sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes” dealt with tough conversations and life experiences, none of it swayed the perception some people had of Bridges while growing up a star.
“Not like you have some intelligence or you’re a good kid, not at all,” he said. “You see what’s going on in the world right now, you see the racism, you still have to go through it.”
Bridges life after “Different Strokes” ended includes multiple drug arrests, stints in rehab, and two trials on an attempted murder charge — is far from alone in facing the world’s ability to love him onscreen but still see him as less than in real life.
Bridges got clean in 1993 after years of drug abuse according to Page Six. However, he doesn’t blame his issues on being a former child star saying “There are too many of us that have come out great. I had other things to deal with, pretty traumatic things as a child, that’s what affected me and had me go through other situations.”
Since Bridges has steadily worked throughout recent years, appearing as a commentator on “TruTV Presents: World’s Dumbest…” and in “Everybody Hates Chris.” He now has a production company with his brother, Jimmy telling the entertainment news website, hey are preparing to get funding for “a pretty decent-sized movie.”
Through it all Bridges says he’s happy with his life.
“I can be happy watching TV or doing the dishes,” he said. “Anything that affected me back then doesn’t affect me now. You see what’s going on in the world right now, you see the racism, you still have to go through it. I don’t let that affect me as much now. I know that’s what the world is right now.”
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