Todd Bridges Biography

Audiences first fell in love with Todd Anthony Bridges when he played Willis Jackson on the famous sitcom Diff’ rent Strokes (1978–86). He made history as one of the first African‑American child actors in mainstream television while simultaneously fighting for increased Black representation among production staff and creative personnel during his initial acting career.

The path that followed his time on Diff’ rent Strokes proved difficult for Bridges. The public knows about his addiction and his legal issues including an attempted murder charge that ended in acquittal and his personal struggles which he documented in his 2008 memoir Killing Willis and various public interviews. He has been sober for more than 32 years as he discussed on the Allison Interviews podcast about his spiritual transformation during rehab while emphasizing faith and consistent work as key elements of his recovery.

Bridges currently works to create a new public image for himself. He returned to play Monk in the animated revival Everybody Still Hates Chris which premiered on Comedy Central in September 2024. The couple launched their podcast Dang! in December 2024 where they share honest discussions about relationships and mental health and addiction recovery and their personal life experiences.

Bridges uses Twitch livestreams to play Fortnite with his fans while maintaining direct contact with his audience. Through his philanthropic efforts he continues to support youth development by operating the Todd Bridges Youth Foundation which began in 1998 to provide training in technology arts and sports.

Through his powerful life story and his work in television history and his genuine approach as a speaker and creator Todd Bridges delivers audiences a strong combination of motivation and survival skills and genuine life lessons.

As a renowned expert and highly sought-after speaker, Todd Bridges's expertise is in high demand. To book Todd Bridges for your next event, conference, or workshop, please contact our speaker booking agency. Our experienced team will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and help secure Todd Bridges's participation. With our professional guidance and seamless booking process, you can ensure a memorable and impactful experience for your audience. Don't miss the opportunity to engage your audience with Todd Bridges's compelling insights and inspire positive change within your organization. Fill out the booking request form to take the first step in securing Todd Bridges for your next speaking engagement.