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Killing Willis: From Diff'rent Strokes to the Mean Streets to the Life I Always Wanted Hardcover – March 16, 2010

by Todd Bridges (Author), Sarah Tomlinson (Contributor)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 286 ratings
See all formats and editions
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The former child star—best known as Willis Jackson on Diff’rent Strokes—shares the shocking but inspirational details of his struggles with addiction, brushes with the law, and fierce fight to carve a path through the darkness and find his true identity.

For Todd Bridges early stardom was no protection from painful childhood events that paved the road to his own personal hell. One of the first African-American child actors on shows like Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, and Roots, Bridges burst to the national forefront on the hit sitcom Diff’rent Strokes as the subject of the popular catchphrase, "What’chu Talkin About Willis?" When the show ended, Bridges was overwhelmed by the off-camera traumas he had faced. Turning to drugs as an escape, he soon lost control.

Now, for the first time, Bridges opens up about his life before and after Diff’rent Strokes: the incredible reversals of fortune brought on by fame and the precipitous—and very public—descent that followed; the persecution from police; the drug addiction that nearly consumed him; the criminal charges that almost earned him a life sentence; and his successful legal defense led by Johnnie Cochran. Through it all, Bridges never relented in his quest to fight his way back from the abyss, establish his own identity—separate from Willis Jackson—and offer his ordeal as a positive example for those struggling to overcome similar challenges. His triumphant story of recovery and redemption is recounted here as well.

Todd Bridges has lived a life of remarkable twists and turns—from the greatest heights to the lowest lows imaginable. In this shocking but ultimately hopeful memoir, he proves that what he was really talking about was survival.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Atria Books
  4. Publication date
    March 16, 2010
  5. Dimensions
    6.4 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1439148988
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1439148983
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Todd Bridges was born in San Francisco, California in 1965. He became the first African-American child actor to have a recurring role on a successful TV series, The Waltons. He also appeared on Little House on the Prairie, and in the landmark miniseries Roots. He was a regular on the Barney Miller spinoff Fish, before landing his best-known role as Willis on Diff'rent Strokes.

Bridges has a brother and sister who are both actors, Jimmy Bridges and Verda Bridges. His father, James Bridges, Sr., became one of the first prominent black Hollywood agents, while his mother, Betty A. Bridges, was also an actress and later became one of Hollywood's greatest managers and acting coaches.

Today, Todd is a working actor, director, and producer and he and his brother James Jr., have partnered to establish their own production company, Little Bridge Productions. Todd is married and has a son, Spencir, and a daughter, Bo.

Sarah Tomlinson is a Los Angeles– and Brooklyn-based writer. Her writing has appeared in publications including Marie Claire, the Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, Salon.com, and Vol1Brooklyn.com. She has ghostwritten nine books, including two uncredited New York Times bestsellers. Visit her online at SarahTomlinson.com and follow her alter ego, Duchess of Rock (@DuchessofRock), on Twitter.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria Books; First Edition (March 16, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1439148988
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1439148983
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.04 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.4 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 286 ratings

About the author

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Todd Bridges

Todd Bridges

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Todd Bridges was born in San Francisco, California in 1965. He became the first African-American child actor to have a recurring role on a successful TV series, The Waltons. He also appeared on Little House on the Prairie, and in the landmark miniseries Roots. He was a regular on the Barney Miller spinoff Fish, before landing his best-known role as Willis on Diff'rent Strokes.

Bridges has a brother and sister who are both actors, Jimmy Bridges and Verda Bridges. His father, James Bridges, Sr., became one of the first prominent black Hollywood agents, while his mother, Betty A. Bridges, was also an actress and later became one of Hollywood's greatest managers and acting coaches.

Today, Todd is a working actor, director, and producer and he and his brother James Jr., have partnered to establish their own production company, Little Bridge Productions. Todd is married and has a son, Spencir, and a daughter, Bo.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
286 global ratings
Boy, what a life and what a book. Todd Bridges' life story should be made into a movie.
5 Stars
Boy, what a life and what a book. Todd Bridges' life story should be made into a movie.
After reading this book, you wonder how Todd Bridges is still alive today or that he isn't in a mental institution. He sold drugs; he used drugs; he camped out for long periods in various crack houses; he was involved in many potentially fatal disputes with various Los Angeles County police departments; was a victim of child molestations; he pulled a knife on his father after growing seriously tired of the latter abusing his mother and him; and so much more. You're going to have to read the book to fully grasp why Bridges is above ground instead of his being buried in a Los Angeles area cemetery.Writing this book was therapy for Bridges, because how can a man keep all that he went through bottled up in his brain? This book should be required reading for those who think that life has given up on them and that there's no way back from hell.For years before I read this book, I had heard about Bridges' struggles with drugs, rehab, and the court system. But Killing Willis helped make me understand why he did all those self destructive things to himself.One of the things I loved about this book was that Bridges didn't blame no one for why he used and sold drugs, which in turn gave him a hellish life in the 1980s and early 1990s. Yes, his father's abuse towards him as a child through his young adult years had something to do with his drug usage and self destructive life, but Bridges in this book was adamant about taking responsibility for the way his life turned out.In conclusion, I'm glad Bridges is alive today and that he told his story in this book. I hope this book reaches a lot of struggling addicts or people who live with or are around struggling addicts. Books like this are made to reach people who need help. No one overcomes addiction alone.
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Top reviews from the United States

Valerie Pendelton
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! 2nd Time I've Read Todd Bridges Book! Inspiration If Can Make It Then Theres Hope For Me!
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
I could not put the book down. Here in the Pacific Northwest we got struck with a AWFUL HEATWAVE of 100+ degrees uncommon for these parts. I had to pack up & head to a hotel with a/c pronto! I took my copy of 'Killing Willis' with me. Came in handy the hotel changed their WiFi connect and guess what I had no WiFi. The book was so good. The first time I saw Todd's book was at the local public library it was on display on an end cap. I remembered thinking 'wow didn't know he wrote a book'. However I read it in 2013 or 2014 and didn't finish it or the book was overdue. While on Amazon I was thinking about books I wanted to read when I thought of Todd's book. I had no idea what he went through because the media of course didn't go to in depth of his cases. All I knew was he had troubles, and oh boy did they blow them out of proportion I remember. Media doesn't tell the truth. Everyone, read Todd's side of the story then you'll know. Now , some of what he was involved in wasn't easy for me to read and I'm salty but you know what? I am so glad he made it out on the other side and I mean this isn't no fluff piece. For me if Todd Bridges can make it, I think I can hang in there have faith things will get better for me, cause after all they did for Todd. Todd if your reading this thank you so much. I can hang on cause tomorrow will be better.
6 people found this helpful
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School Teacher
5.0 out of 5 stars Raw, Honest, and Inspiring
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2010
Verified Purchase
Knowing only that he had been on my favorite show as a kid and had been arrested as an adult, I was not prepared for the rollercoaster of emotion this book provided. Todd lets the reader into the deepest, darkest parts of his mind, thoughts, emotions, confessions, and life: the parts most of us are afraid to look at in ourselves, much less admit to others. The voice is so raw and honest, I felt as if I was snooping in someone's personal diary and that I should not be privileged to the information I was reading. The reality of his story is harsh, and at times I felt as if I were a child who should cover my ears while someone told a story I couldn't handle or shouldn't hear. He lays it all out on the table and holds NOTHING back. As painful as it was to read, I couldn't put it down and read it all in one day!
I cried so much reading this book that I was sick. I felt so terrible for him, and all the kids like him still in these situations, that there were times I had to stop and walk away. He makes intelligent and self-aware connections to how abuse and racism can lead to self-hatred which then leads to depression and other problems.
He makes no excuses for his mistakes, but shows how the mistreatment and abuse children receive in this world today, especially child stars, can scar them for life, and, as children, they are unable to deal with those events and unprepared to make the difficult decisions that are placed in front of them. He also shows how quickly depression can take its toll and how fast life spirals out of control once drug use begins. Readers get a true look into the lives of many who faced racism during that time period, as well as glimpse into the nasty world of many drug addicts. He shows no fear in telling it exactly like it was.
He learned a lot of life lessons the hard way, and all while still a young adult. He tells some disturbing, gut-wrenching stories about his recovery. But, he also describes the tough climb back up, and the humbling experience of starting over with his past as an obstacle.
In the end Todd completely changed his life, himself, and his outlook on the world. He also discusses his mission to educate others in hopes that teens can learn from his mistakes and make better choices for their lives. Reliving his pain day after day and admitting his faults to strangers cannot be easy, but in this book, he really inspires people to step up and be better to themselves and to their children and to face those difficult questions and situations in our lives head-on. He is not just a child star gone bad, he is a real person with real experiences and problems in his life just like everyone else. Fortunately, he is one of the survivors.
77 people found this helpful
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Matthew Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars Boy, what a life and what a book. Todd Bridges' life story should be made into a movie.
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
After reading this book, you wonder how Todd Bridges is still alive today or that he isn't in a mental institution. He sold drugs; he used drugs; he camped out for long periods in various crack houses; he was involved in many potentially fatal disputes with various Los Angeles County police departments; was a victim of child molestations; he pulled a knife on his father after growing seriously tired of the latter abusing his mother and him; and so much more. You're going to have to read the book to fully grasp why Bridges is above ground instead of his being buried in a Los Angeles area cemetery.

Writing this book was therapy for Bridges, because how can a man keep all that he went through bottled up in his brain? This book should be required reading for those who think that life has given up on them and that there's no way back from hell.

For years before I read this book, I had heard about Bridges' struggles with drugs, rehab, and the court system. But Killing Willis helped make me understand why he did all those self destructive things to himself.

One of the things I loved about this book was that Bridges didn't blame no one for why he used and sold drugs, which in turn gave him a hellish life in the 1980s and early 1990s. Yes, his father's abuse towards him as a child through his young adult years had something to do with his drug usage and self destructive life, but Bridges in this book was adamant about taking responsibility for the way his life turned out.

In conclusion, I'm glad Bridges is alive today and that he told his story in this book. I hope this book reaches a lot of struggling addicts or people who live with or are around struggling addicts. Books like this are made to reach people who need help. No one overcomes addiction alone.
Customer image
Matthew Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars Boy, what a life and what a book. Todd Bridges' life story should be made into a movie.
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2020
After reading this book, you wonder how Todd Bridges is still alive today or that he isn't in a mental institution. He sold drugs; he used drugs; he camped out for long periods in various crack houses; he was involved in many potentially fatal disputes with various Los Angeles County police departments; was a victim of child molestations; he pulled a knife on his father after growing seriously tired of the latter abusing his mother and him; and so much more. You're going to have to read the book to fully grasp why Bridges is above ground instead of his being buried in a Los Angeles area cemetery.

Writing this book was therapy for Bridges, because how can a man keep all that he went through bottled up in his brain? This book should be required reading for those who think that life has given up on them and that there's no way back from hell.

For years before I read this book, I had heard about Bridges' struggles with drugs, rehab, and the court system. But Killing Willis helped make me understand why he did all those self destructive things to himself.

One of the things I loved about this book was that Bridges didn't blame no one for why he used and sold drugs, which in turn gave him a hellish life in the 1980s and early 1990s. Yes, his father's abuse towards him as a child through his young adult years had something to do with his drug usage and self destructive life, but Bridges in this book was adamant about taking responsibility for the way his life turned out.

In conclusion, I'm glad Bridges is alive today and that he told his story in this book. I hope this book reaches a lot of struggling addicts or people who live with or are around struggling addicts. Books like this are made to reach people who need help. No one overcomes addiction alone.
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13 people found this helpful
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Melissa Warren
4.0 out of 5 stars Totally Shocked
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2018
Verified Purchase
I never knew a lot about Todd other than the stuff that was in the news. I didn't know about his mom begin an actress or he actually had a brother and sister. It was very interesting reading. I'm so glad that he was able to turn his life around. It's sad that he's the only one left from the show.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Diff'erent Strokes
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
2/7/22 - 10:24 UT: Definitl'ey Choked - a follow up review...
Below is the review I wrote immediately after I finished the book in the early hours.
Having just watched a season one episode it really hits home; they way the really looked like family. They hugged, they played and they laughed. I wonder if Todd or any other surviving cast and crew watch the episodes and just wish they could just reach in and give them all one last hug?
Maybe say and do the things they never could. I wonder what Todd does think and feel when he watches an episode - does he wish he could go back to that set for just one day, and be those innocent little children again?
Maybe, in the beginning at least, they all found some of that love and comfort the three of them sought, Dana, Gary and Todd. At least they had that, and that gives me at least some comfort.
Todd will probably never read these reviews, if he did I'd love his take on it.

2/7/22 - around 02:00 UT: Where to begin?
I remember sitting with my family back in the eighties, when I was just of primary school age, watching Diff'erent Strokes. The theme tune alone was awesome, like many shows of that time (A-Team, Knightrider, Airwolf, CHiPS, Miami Vice - you get the picture).
There we'd be, eating cake and drinking tea and laughing along.
Now that I'm in my forties and blessed with two children of my own, I am enjoying reliving that part of my life. The innocence, the inquisitiveness and sheer fun. Part of that involves watching shows and listening to music I loved when I was little like them. This show is one of the things I share with them. And it's a real pleasure and a privilege too.
Reading Todd's story really does make you feel grateful. It also reminds you that we are all mortal beings, and money isn't the be all and end all. In this day and age of social media and the pressures it can bring, we could all do with reminding ourselves of the transient nature of life.
I've never met any of these people, and now that most have sadly passed away, I never will.
Todd seems to be a nice person. I don't know him personally, yet I'm glad he could turn his life around, by the grace of God.
I'm particularly moved by the way he helps others now.
Perhaps the most touching part of this book for me was his tribute to Gary.
We all loved to watch them as innocent brothers, especially in the earlier seasons. All three of the children looked so innocent in fact.
It's a real shame what happened to Gary and Dana.
Like Todd says, we can always go back and watch the episodes, and even for a short time, we can feel the wonder and magic of that bygone era.
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Cloudy
5.0 out of 5 stars Always liked this guy
Reviewed in Canada on September 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
Love his book. So honest. What a crazy life.
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Leona Wellington
5.0 out of 5 stars Bold Frankness
Reviewed in Australia on October 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
I liked his open sharing and letting the reader see life through his eyes as a form of creating empathy and finally showing how he was able to recuperate his own integrity and self-worth.
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Lior Y
5.0 out of 5 stars Could not put the book down for one minute!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2013
Verified Purchase
As a child I was obsessed with Different Strokes and obviously in love with big brother Willis. it was only recently that ive found out that Todd had a book out telling his life story.. and let me tell you - it is ONE heck of a story! From the minute I opened the book I literally could not put it down!! I had to keep reading as I just couldnt wait to see what happens next! allthough Todd's story by no means easy, it is highly intriguing and interesting and at time absolutely shocking!
I enjoyed every minute of it and was almost disappointed that it only had 200 pages and not more..
I highly recommend it
amazing and inspiring
3 people found this helpful
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Jamie Creek
4.0 out of 5 stars Brutally honest
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2021
Verified Purchase
Very well written from beginning to end. Brutally honest. Todd bridges had it all threw it away n regained the most important thing. LIFE
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