Todd Bridges "Sad That I'm the Last Kid Alive" from Diff'rent Strokes
Credit: Rachel Worth/WENN
Todd Bridges is the last one standing.
On Friday, the actor spoke briefly to the Associated Press about the death of his Diff'rent Strokes costar Gary Coleman.
"It's unfortunate. It's a sad day...It's sad that I'm the last kid alive from the show."
PHOTOS: Gary's life remembered
Back in 1999, Coleman and Bridges' Diff'rent Strokes castmate Dana Plato (she played their adoptive sister Kimberly) died at age 34 of a drug overdose in what was ruled a suicide; she had pled guilty to a robbery charge in 1991. Tragically, earlier this month, Plato's surviving 25-year-old son Tyler Lambert also committed suicide.
Todd Bridges, 45, had his own struggles: he was acquitted in 1989 in the attempted murder of a drug dealer. He has spoken extensively of his depression and drug abuse following the sitcom's 1986 cancellation.
Reportedly clean and sober today, Bridges also Tweeted of his friend Coleman sad death: "don't know what to really think today will have to really pray about this one."
After suffering an intercranial hemorrhage Wednesday, Coleman slipped into a coma on Thursday, and died Friday just past noon in a Provo, Utah hospital, with his wife Shannon Price and other family members by his side. He was 42 years old.
PHOTOS: Other stars gone too soon
In a statement, Coleman's family acknowledged that the late sitcom star had "difficulties not only with health issues, but also with his personal and public life." (Coleman struggled with kidney disease plus legal and financial woes as an adult.)
"At times it may not have been apparent, but he always had fond memories of being an entertainer and appreciates his fans for all their support over the years," they added.
Tell Us What You Think
35U R BLESSED..............
It's not too late Todd!!!!!
It's sad that you're the last one, Todd? It's even sadder to be dead. It's not about you, butthead.
Todd.. count it as a blessing 2 still be alive, it's terrible what happened 2your co-stars(friends). You have 2 continue to use your life as encouragement 4 others.
I am also sad that Todd is the last kid alive from Diff'rent Strokes. 45 years old is above average for a midget, so don't be sad... He knew. I wish Dana was still alive. She was hot.
Well, as far as being the last kid alive on the show, what about the one who played Dudley, or sam? They're still alive. I guess you wouldn't really be the "last kid alive" from the show now, would you, Todd?
Gone too soon, I grew up with the sitcom......What a loss for the family and friends, my prayers are with you all.
I beg your pardon Todd. Janet is still alive. The red headed kid who played Dixie Carter's son is still alive!!!
Someone must check on him, ASAP. He may be hitting a serious DEPRESSION. GET HELP!
i am so glad for todd bridges for getting his life in order and stopping the madness you go boy!!
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Gary Coleman. I watched the sitcom Different Strokes every week growing up and I just loved him to death. Mr. Coleman and his family is in our thoughts and prayers! What a sad and tragic loss.
So is he saying he wants to die tragically as well? He should be happy he is alive.
It seems difficult for many child actors to make it into adult life. I smell an E! special about this...
Let people say what they say, it shows just how they measure up as a human being. To the people who are not so sure about Todd being the last kid left, well, he is. Gary and Dana are dead. For people who don't care, then those are the ones who don't see a human as more than their physical body. Because it's more than that, a body dies but the person lives on, you can't just let go in an instant.
wow. Some people are really mean. To say anything negative like he's dead so move on or why is Todd saying he's the last kid left? I mean, this was their life, Dana and Gary are gone so Todd IS the last kid left. He's not a kid now but he was one on the show. It's sad no matter what his "title" is. As for moving on, people who look at someone as more than a physical body see the whole person and you just can't let go in an instant. If you can then that is sad.
if you guys have nothing to say that is good please dont say nothing @ all cause your day is coming as well peace pray for your souls
ya when i bang ya moms i said it is dead move on next
you are so stupid you guys think thats a joke Dennis hopper pass away as well did i sight a seen he said in one of his movie some of you guys was not born around the 70os sit-com u r lost i feel sorry for yall young kids cause you think IPOD is going to help you function in life go to the video store if they are still around and rent some old school movies it will help you understand
man its not fare he was bother by something they played him on t.v. Hollywood Extra asking him stupid questions i wonder how she feels now, i would of walk off the platform myself Gary didnt like himself his parents took his child-hood money and he never gain populary back on the screen martin lawrence had him on his show as big-dog and other t.v.spots try to make him a come-back but it didnt work MC hammer help him out a bit but he just was not happen with himself sad so sad Gary my man R.I.P you are up there with the big dowgs now tell M.J.I said what it do
Todd Bridges knew Gary Coleman's "Junk" Before meeting with Todd Bridges my initial feeling was, why on earth would I want to meet with that guy? Well, the first thing I learned about Todd Bridges is that he is no relation to the Oscar winner, Jeff Bridges. All jokes aside, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how nice and well-spoken Todd actually is. Bridges has had a roller coaster life. Success and heartache. Todd Bridges, the man who played Willis Jackson on the TV series "Diff'rent Strokes," offered his own insight into the trials of being a childhood star and shared his story of drug addiction. He seems very humble, much unlike his fellow "Diff'rent Strokes" co-star Gary Coleman. Todd acts like a guy just happy to be alive, and for good reason. As an actor of a hit show, the young Bridges was pulling in $30,000 a week. But by age 22 he was out of work. Then Bridges said he began selling drugs. Specifically, he battled addictions to crystal meth and cocaine. "I hated myself," said the 44-year-old Bridges. "I hated the way I looked in the mirror. Bridges' recent autobiography is "Killing Willis: From Diff'rent Strokes to the Mean Streets to the Life I Always Wanted." Tom: I see you have a photo there from your wrestling days, are you still wrestling? Bridges: "Yeah, I gave it up there for a while and now I'm getting back into it." Tom: You did some boxing, too, any chance of doing that again? Bridges: "No. But I did kick Vanilla Ice's ass." (Laughing) Tom: How did you come with the idea for the new book? Bridges: "The media wouldn't tell the real story so I wanted to put it in a book." Tom: "You should have named it " Willis gets a second chance" Bridges: "I hear that!" Tom: Do you still talk to Gary Coleman? Bridges: "No, I don't talk to him anymore". Tom: Did you see his newest movie Bridges: Oh yeah? "What's the name of it?" Tom: You know The one that shows his junk, "Midgets vs Mascots" Bridges: "You know that ain't real right?" ( laughing ) Tom: How would you know? ( laughing ) Bridges: Have you seen it? "You know that thing is fake!" (laughing) Tom: Are you sure? Bridges: "C'mon man Gary ain't got nothing like that, I mean that thing is touchin the ground!"( both laughing) Gary Coleman responded: Whatyoutalkinbouttodd Tom: So what's next for you? Do you have anything else in the works? Bridges: "Just my book and my TV show other than that I'm just taking it easy." Bridges: "The plan is to kick back with my kids and enjoy time with them." Tom: I'm going to be on the Fox Morning show next week and the producer thought it would be fun if you did a call in. Well it will be aired here about 8:30 eastern time so that would be 5:30 by you. Bridges: "5:30?? There ain't no way I'm getting up at 5:30, sorry man." (laughing) Tom: Do you blame Hollywood for what happened to you? Bridges: "Can't blame Hollywood, it's not Hollywood -- those are choices that I made. The media always wants to blame Hollywood: 'Oh, it's because they threw you away,' and all this and that, but I can't blame Hollywood. ... I made some stupid choices; I made some horrible mistakes that cost me." Tom: Well, I better let you run. I was great meeting you. Bridges: You too man, Take care. By: Tom Murro Celebritymagnet