10. From Little House to Diff’rent Strokes: Todd Bridges Shares His Experiences in Hollywood and His Views on Juneteenth

Join Melissa and Susie in the first of a two-part episode with the incredible Todd Bridges. Get ready to feel all the emotions in this rollercoaster of an interview as Todd shares his experiences as a child actor, his views on Juneteenth, and his hopes for the future. 

Todd and Melissa reminisce about the powerful episode that left jaws dropping and minds reeling of Little House on the Prairie where Todd guest stars as Solomon. Especially for that time, the episode dives into heavy topics surrounding race, privilege, stereotypes, and more. 

In this episode:

• Hear as Todd shares his experiences filming his guest role as Solomon and his thoughts on Michael Landon 
• Be a fly on the wall as Melissa, Susie, and Todd discuss the importance of Juneteenth and how the world has changed in so many ways 
• Catch up to learn what Todd is up to these days and how you can connect with him, or watch his live streams! 

Meet Todd Bridges 

Todd Bridges is a veteran actor with a remarkable career spanning over 40 years in the entertainment industry. Born into a family deeply rooted in the entertainment world, Todd's mother, Betty A. Bridges, was an actress and manager, while his father, James Bridges Sr., was one of the first prominent black Hollywood agents.

Todd's acting journey started with a dream sparked by watching Redd Foxx on "Sanford and Son." Despite the limited opportunities for black artists at the time, Todd persevered and paved the way for young black actors, becoming the first black child actor to have recurring roles on popular series such as "The Waltons" and "Little House on the Prairie." However, it was his role as Willis Drummond on "Diff'rent Strokes" that made him an international celebrity and household name by the age of 15.

After the end of "Diff'rent Strokes," Todd faced personal challenges, including battles with addiction and encounters with racism and police harassment. However, he has successfully overcome these struggles and has been clean and sober for over 30 years. Today, Todd is not only a working actor, director, and producer but also a motivational speaker who shares his experiences to educate and inspire others. He is happily married and a proud father, continuing to make a positive impact on and off the screen.

Pick up a copy of Todd’s book Killing Willis: From Diff'rent Strokes to the Mean Streets to the Life I Always Wanted right here. 

Connect With Our Guest Todd Bridges 

On Instagram: @toddbridges
On His Website: realtoddbridges.com
On Twitch: www.twitch.tv/toddbridges

Connect With Our Hosts
Melissa Gilbert on Instagram @melissagilbertofficial
Susie Shubert on Instagram @susie_shubert

This podcast is sponsored by Modern Prairie. Visit us at modernprairie.com or Instagram @officialmodernprairie

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