Todd Bridges on "Diff'rent Strokes" Getting Cancelled, Cross Burned on His Front Yard (Part 8)

[@edselscentenno115]

I met him in the mid 90s when I was working for an eye doctor in Culver City. He told me he was an x-ray technician at cedar, He was the nicest guy and at the end his mom paid for his glasses and his eye exam. Good Dude God bless.

[@phillip1516]

I’m 52 now. So I grew up on Different Strokes. And I remember Todd being in the news or National Enquirer every week about something. I never knew all of this was happening to him. Good to see him alive and well. I even remember Ice Cube making references to him in the late 80s early 90s

[@CrazyCooter-ld6sz]

If anyone believes anything this guy says they are crazy. Guys a coked out clown trying to claim someone burned a cross in his yard. Complete nonsense.

[@halfmanhalfamazing2152]

" to the corner house b....s" Ms Parker, Little Joe, and Todd Bridges- Ice Cube/Bird In The Hand

[@karimbennett5651]

It’s hard to imagine he’s the sole surviving cast member of Different Strokes.

[@jerrywoods4066]

Damm sad.

[@mlynettepinky595]

He is the only one from original cast. The red head stepbrother is still alive The third maid they had was Mary Jo Catlett and she does th voice of Ms. Puff on SpongeBob

[@ninocrown3247]

All three of the kids on the cast, he’s the sole survivor and he was the one who was getting in trouble first. Gary and Dana came later.

[@shon7425]

Yup

[@MusicLoverPearson]

There's only one sole surviving original member of The Four Tops,The Temptations,The Supremes,The Spinners etc,etc,etc

[@reupbeatz2174]

You need to bring Todd on again, he seems like such a chill person

[@One21Jiggawatts]

I want to hear about High School USA. It’s a lightning in a bottle tv movie of teen tv stars of the 50s and the 80s.

[@gordongartrell8672]

I remember watching Different Strokes growing up. In the 1st season Willis was the cool, street wise big brother from Harlem. As the seasons went on they changed his character, and the Harlem was gone. Over all im glad this brother is still with us with all that he has experienced and overcome.

[@stringer2295]

Wow I didn’t realize that, and he really did before more “white”

[@kendallrivers1119]

​@stringer2295 so being smart, nice and good natured is "white"? So then you must consider being Black as being low life thugs then huh? You need to look at your own racism against Black people even if you're Black yourself which then means you got self hate issues.

[@kendallrivers1119]

​@@stringer2295 so you associate being "white" with being good natured, well mannered and educated as if none of those qualities should be associated with being Black? Interesting....

[@stringer2295]

@@kendallrivers1119 actually I’m black dude with an mba so I guess your little analysis is shit

[@yell0wberry]

I just don’t want this interview to stop, Todd, not only is very deep, but he’s dropping nuggets. The brother needs to write a book as well as do a biopic miniseries about his life.

[@joshuamcdowell9745]

He wrote a book. It came out in 2010. Good read.

[@ucbx]

Todd did write a book (a memoir) and it was released a few years back. The title is "Killing Willis: From Diff'rent Strokes to the Mean Streets to the Life I Always Wanted."

[@theophilusjones3685]

Facts

[@knots.8938]

he did write a book years ago.

[@WaMrGAiMBK]

​@@knots.8938ok We saw tha previous comments

[@gspar116]

That’s insane that Gary’s parents not only stole his money and ruined his life they were the reason the show was moved to a new network and then cancelled that’s just crazy to me I never knew that

[@Supremmo]

His parents always made it appear like they were innocent. They were far from it.

[@joojoobaw]

huge difference between Todd’s parents who looked out *for* him & Gary’s who took out *from* him as much as possible

[@raygreen7948]

Unjustified greed!

[@MarcusPark-rb8fl]

The saddest part is they could have made more money If they would have let the show end on its on . Which could have taken many more years. I know someone that knows them and he says they are broke as a joke to this day

[@1thetvzone]

Gary’s parents were mom/dad-agers before it became popular.. these parents are downfall of a successful tv show- same with Brandy’s mama. Vlad should interview someone from Moesha…Brandy’s mama should have never been a producer and controlling the series-and Gary’s parents was doing way tooo much

[@kathyrodriguez820]

Yes Vlad there are racists in LA too. Not only in the South.

[@darrellpowell2553]

Not as common especially not black and white. Maybe black vs Mexican

[@dwightlove3704]

Malcolm X said this "Anything below the Canadian border is South"!!!!!!!

[@michaelfowler5760]

SMH.

[@vincenth143]

Los Angeles has always been segregated and always will be!

[@michaelfowler5760]

@@darrellpowell2553 you must be joking.

[@TonyMontana-wt4bu]

I'm glad that Todd made it out of many tumultuous situations in his life.

[@mililaniman]

Todd is a strong willed person. I admire him.

[@Rhonda333]

If he was so strong he wouldn't have gotten on drugs in the first place. It's the power of God that cleaned him up

[@nikkipacheco6835]

Definitely 💯

[@thetruesoulofanaquarius9302]

Gary Coleman parents were psychos fr. Making your son work while he is sick and took all of his money. Just sad snd ridiculous. R.I.P. Gary Coleman

[@automatic_systematic]

Todd Bridges was the main reason I watched every episode of "Fish" and "World's Dumbest Criminals". Whenever I find reruns airing on cable I'll find time to view them

[@Traythegemini]

Todd Bridges is a warrior. All the stuff he's been through and he's still powering through.

[@TheRealDeal1438]

Sad what happened to Gary Coleman with his parents and the show. Its no wonder he was bitter and died tragically

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

Gary's parents stole most of his money.

[@handsomeX]

Wow Todd looks great! Especially considering all he's been through ❤️💪

[@beezy22]

This is a great interview……read Todd Bridges autobiography a couple of times and the stories about his friendship with Gary Coleman and his run ins with Gary Coleman’s parents were very deep……plus I remember watching the last episode of Different Strokes and was thinking why Todd Bridges wasn’t in the final episode…..it was one person:Gary Coleman’s dad Willie……But years later Todd got his friendship with Gary Coleman back on track, Gary’s parents got a dose of their own medicine, and Todd made a comeback on Everybody Hates Chris…..RIP Gary Coleman…..

[@kenterminateddq5311]

The crazy part is, when Todd got arrested, his white friend was with Todd and he didn't arrested. The most daring part of Todd's arrest was his Mom confronted the cops who kept harassing Todd.

[@dailyhunter3683]

To think we used to enjoy this show without knowing what's going on behind the scenes.

[@akahee22]

Sometimes you never know what people go through to put smiles on out faces

[@targetegrat]

Thats Hollywood in general. I can't even name all the child stars that are in bad situations as adults due to their parents/industry.

[@Archway_Archie]

I’m a black man who’s born and bred in England. I’m almost exactly the same age as Todd Bridges. I find it shocking the amount of racism that black people in the US have to endure. We have racism here in the UK, but in America it seems to be so much worse.

[@truthhurts3305]

Yeah I’m UK born & bred too and whilst racism exists over here, racism in America seems a *lot* worse and in your face. Almost every black celebrity has had a shocking childhood experience with Racism it seems. I can’t say I’ve experienced it on a major level

[@michaelfowler5760]

It is absolutely surprising.

[@truthhurts3305]

@@Antoinedunaway Racism exists here but it’s more passive aggressive. Whereas US racism is more blatant and in your face but compared to the US, the UK never had laws against interracial marriages/relationships

[@ReeseChown]

​@@truthhurts3305It was definitely taboo at times. I like that Madness song "Embarrassment" which is a critique of how interracial relationships were treated in the UK back then-- It was bang on. Glad progress has been made

[@truthhurts3305]

@@ReeseChown Yeah it definitely was Taboo and looked down upon but not necessarily “illegal” like it was in the US & South Africa

[@dcisajoke]

I could listen to Todd all day. He seems to have a great personality. So interesting.

[@blackcavi4515]

Nothing but love for you brother❤️💯 I feel your pain🤗🤝🏿💪🏿

[@manuelsteele2651]

I watched Different Strokes as a child frequently. My favorite episode was when the champ came to visit. It’s hard to believe it was that long ago. Around 1976 I remember watching old horror films from the 1930s and thinking that was long ago. But the time difference between now and the late 70s is about the same. Time flies.

[@stackmosayless-1669]

Todd looks like he's in a good mental space. Good seing him and glad he's still around. Good interview Vlad

[@C.B.2024]

Wow , he's the only one alive from the show . Crazy

[@pureuncut187]

Facts

[@MarkieB89]

Wow...

[@darrellthomas884]

The last housekeeper is still living, I believe.

[@C.B.2024]

@@darrellthomas884 main characters

[@AmariMarvelous]

​@@darrellthomas884 yes I forget her name but she does the voices for one of the characters on SpongeBob. It's the driving school teacher Mrs Puff lol.

[@jaylene.turner6524]

Glad to see Todd is doing well.

[@ginac5503]

In 2006 there was an unauthorized behind the camera biopic about Different Strokes. It went into detail what was happening with the actors behind the scenes. The way they did G. Coleman was real dirty. Todd would always get harassed (DWB) by LAPD for having a nice car. at the end the real Todd and Gary visit Dana's graveside. So sad.

[@dwightlove3704]

She committed suicide because she felt that her career wasn't going in the direction she felt it should have.

[@EnergonCubed]

​@@dwightlove3704Todd Bridges doesn't think that she committed suicide.

[@dwightlove3704]

@@EnergonCubed Okay what does he think happened to her I thought she had potential to be a good actress myself.

[@dwightlove3704]

A Black Man being harassed by cops par for the course in the land of Apple Pie and Lynchings.

[@daneo617]

As a 70s baby I can appreciate Todd's story, I came up on, Different Strokes, Silver spoon, Fact of life & Alf 😂 good times 💯

[@crazyworld2570]

As kids who watched this show, we had no clue of all the nonsense that went on behind the scenes.

[@antoniolewis8443]

Man I got to dig up that Different strokes biopic movie that came out in 2000.

[@Black-Pill-7411]

80s was the good ol days.....wish i could go back

[@maundamartin59]

Todds Redemption is SO INSPIRING.❤

[@zandax1]

Hearing how Gary Coleman was treated absolutely breaks my heart. Different strokes was my favorite TV show when I was a kid but I never knew how bad they treated the kids behind the scenes.

[@charleslavoie5402]

I’m so thankful my parents raised me to judge a person by their character and actions…. I honestly don’t understand racism.

[@Sh1tzboutagodown]

You spelt color wrong

[@reeseromeo6]

Come on Vlad, racism is everywhere in America. Cali had it bad back in the day smh

[@tebanjose6928]

Still does and it is literally on mainstream media with all the anti-whiteism.

[@pensiveczar2239]

NBC was in the ratings toilet when Diff'rent Strokes debuted in the late 70s. For a while, it was their only hit show. As the 80s went on, NBC recovered and it was simply displaced by an onslaiught of newer shows: Cheers, Cosby, Family Ties, Golden Girls, 227, Night Court, etc., etc.

[@thislittlelightofmine14]

So happy to see you, Todd! The last time I saw you, years ago, you were struggling. You look wonderful! You were a big part of many of our childhoods. Thanks for the good memories and the laughter. ❤ May God bless you and keep you.

[@Rad86..]

Todd wasn’t no sucka!! Stand up dude

[@OmarScruggs]

That episode with him as a lil boy on Little House on the Prairie was wild

[@keahharrison4765]

I didn’t even realize there was him until I read this comment. I know the exact episode you were talking about.

[@Jaybills84]

People outside of Los Angeles really don't understand how segregated & racist L.A is..

[@Jaybills84]

@@calwatch1496 yeah ok

[@Jaybills84]

@calwatch1496 Thank you for the soliloquy. Let me give you some numbers. Azusa, El Monte, East L.A and cities going East of the city for the most part majority Hispanic. Am I lying? Yes you have sections of the city that are integrated. I'm not disagreeing. The neighborhoods surrounding the city and some neighborhoods in the city are segregated.

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

@@calwatch1496 a

[@anndeecosita3586]

I read his autobiography. He’s very candid about life.

[@michaelbrantley.8628]

Todd bridges is my favorite actor on tv sitcom different strokes on of my favorite shows i respect him and the rest who passed on i grow up with the show he has a positive attitude i love that about him.

[@kenlompart9905]

I've seen quite a few interviews with Todd and he's always an open, honest and completely down to earth guy, not to mention very entertaining.

[@dwnsouthtx210]

I remember a few years before Gary's demise seeing all the clips of him being a little "off" and then seeing an interview of Gary's parents where they said they never mismanaged his money and were pleading for him to get in contact with them and thinking they seemed so genuine and caring. Now hearing Todd tell all how bad they did Gary, I'm realizing he wasn't crazy, he was just angry and bitter from his own family of taking advantage of him. I can't blame him one bit for how he turned out later in life. Rest easy Mr. Coleman.

[@MarcusPark-rb8fl]

And ended up a security guard at the same studio he was a star ⭐️

[@BadTV1993]

@@MarcusPark-rb8fl & at the same mall he used to spends 1000s of dollars in...RIP GC

[@stevent4955]

Different Strokes was one of my favorite tv shows as a kid & I still watch the reruns from time to time

[@soulcontrolwo6088]

Man I'm so sorry for Todd and Gary. Gary Coleman parents just know karma is coming for you

[@nursemcfarlane6655]

Todd Bridges is the last man standing! Give him credit because one time he was written off for dead.

[@alescalante491]

When is Vlad going to ask him about: “Crack will sell in the neighborhood To the corner house b*tches Miss Parker, Lil Joe, and Todd Bridges Or anybody that he know”

[@theml2s]

I HOPE he asked him about the Bicycle episode of Different Strokes 😂

[@doug3819]

Most people dont know that Gary Coleman was on the Waltons and little house on the prairie one episode each.

[@dlbarnes]

Don't be naive Watts Riots, Black Panther Party, Stokley Carmichael, yes, racism exists on the West Coast

[@RambisRants]

This hurts to hear that this happens to anyone!!! 🤦‍♂️Damn, Todd is like an older brother to me when I see him, feel like I know him growing up watching him as a kid, and I’m a white 44 year old polish dude! 💔❤️👏

[@xman9190]

It's kinda funny to hear a guy who had his life threatened, had crosses burned in his yard, got beat up, and had to leave the continent, say that the TV execs were being "tortured" by phone calls. I mean we all know executives don't answer their own phones anyway. SMH.

[@musabrooks5584]

It happened in rural CA all over the place in the 8os

[@alonzosmith485]

Still remember him boxing vanilla ice celebrity boxing 😆

[@ajax5467]

The 2 black officers real ones for warning his mom

[@bcranford714]

The show died when Mr Drummond got married, they kicked Kim off the show because she got knocked up, and they added Sam

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

The show was jumping the shark.

[@bcranford714]

@@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc I think they added Sam because they wanted another cute kid on the show because Gary Coleman was getting older

[@robertway5756]

What a fascinating interview! Great job! Watched the entire thing. May watch it again.

[@lovely_star1917]

it seems like everybodys family with their greediness and egos always mess up their families entertainment jobs

[@shon7425]

Wow. Todd answered all the questions

[@DonnaSeward-m7l]

Todd is a much better interview than i ever expected...very interesting brotha 🫡

[@DonnaSeward-m7l]

@entertainingblackmanvideos7691 im very well aware 🤣

[@Bertccomedy]

When Todd bridges shows up you must be running out of 🥷 to interview😂

[@marshallelliott8894]

That's not Willis any longer, that's MONK!!!!

[@samestuffdifferentday5712]

At 1:20 no wonder he beat the brakes off of vanilla ice in that celebrity boxing match😂 he was probably channeling the anger from getting jumped by those white boys.

[@newhere2419]

one thing he has wrong is Different Strokes was not number 1, i looked it up and it wasnt even in the top 30 when NBC dropped it

[@JustinW06]

I think he means in the 8:00 time slot.

[@menumindset1597]

Thank you for sharing your story hate you went through this

[@Lean_Goblin]

You can tell Gary looked real sick on the final episode

[@funkpill]

"You expect that sh*t in North Carolina" No Vlad. You expect that everywhere.

[@Blaqk_8298]

TODD BRIDGES was the main reason DIFFERENT STROKES was soooo stressful behind the scenes.

[@MIGGYME1]

How?

[@BlazeDrumArtist]

How?!???

[@Blaqk_8298]

@@MIGGYME1 Go back and listen to all the stories, this is old information.

[@MIGGYME1]

@@Blaqk_8298 all the stories? What stories? Where? U aint saying shit.

[@Blaqk_8298]

@@MIGGYME1 what the fcuk i look like HIS SPOKESMAN! NGA GO DO YA RESEARCH CLOWN!

[@ericinla65]

"WHAT YOU TALKING BOUT WILLIS?"

[@Roc-City]

I've been watching Todd on these interviews Everyday very interesting Salute to the bro ..

[@theshooterstdt1203]

Vlad is so disconnected from the Black American experience…yes, people are racist in LA. What!??

[@dwightlove3704]

Todd and Dana's careers were ruined

[@syrzelhenderson6269]

For all those who say amerikkka is not a racist country can shove it!!

[@dex.cameron1855]

This was a good one...I respect you Todd. I went through similar ish, minus the cross burning, but yo, I'm glad you got those clowns back 💯

[@jeromebass7878]

R.I.P. Gary & Dana 😢

[@gbrown932]

Don't forget the others

[@PillowTalktomepodcast]

I tell you one thing Mr. Todd Bridges looks damn good. Beautiful skin and not one damn wrinkle. It warms my heart to see how good he's looking. Anybody facing hard times just hang in there literally, keep waking up and getting out of the bed, even if that's the only thing you can do (don't give up, you aren't alone!) because hard times do not last forever.

[@armandomeza3501]

I saw the thumbnail and the name todd and immediately i thought "damn too $hort looking different" lmao yes im 32

[@Vonslik69]

Why is Vlad always reminding people how much he knows, yet is so oblivious to what he should know?

[@arlichar11]

when he said , im 12 , at my house, down the street from my moms house ... ! but yeah life is crazy, your a kid and watch tv , and have no clue what a crazy chaotic world they live in , when not filming a show !

[@arlopizano6380]

I’ll always remember him from everybody hates Chris!!!

[@dejstoney]

RIP Gary Coleman. Seems like Todd was his last real friend too.

[@berniejaylea]

The epitome of demons, to burn a cross of all things...(and where did I get the impression that Todd Bridges was no longer with us)?

[@TheGothicRichard]

All those devils will have their place in hell. They're not getting away with anything they have done. The smoke of their torment is eternal.

[@willowwale2000]

I really believed that its the studio that burnt that cross on your lawn Todd

[@gbrown932]

Doubtful

[@Petequinn741]

Glad Todd is back on his feet..

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Vlad’s reaction to the cross burning….🤦🏽‍♂️

[@raymondrochajr9621]

Todd deserves to have some kind of work that can fill him with redemption and fulfillment. He's been through a lot and I'm sure he is a great actor still!

[@nakitapalmer656]

IKR!!!!

[@raymondrochajr9621]

@@nakitapalmer656 Thanks. Hopefully 🙏

[@sirac37]

I remember the media demonized so bad back them called a out of control addict

[@Supremmo]

I dunno. They tried moving the focus to Sam but that didn’t work. Arnold was the show. I’m not sure if DS could’ve went on for 11 years considering all the cast changes they had.

[@jwilliams7554]

Yes and it wasn’t the number one show when it moved to abc, I believe it was dynasty

[@Supremmo]

@@jwilliams7554 Probably #1 for it’s time slot. It use to air Fridays on ABC way before TGIF became a thing.

[@vladtv]

Watch the full interview now as a VladTV KZbin Member - kzbin.infojoin

[@Ll5374]

Hollywood all ways been racist bro!! What world you folks living in..🍿🫢🧋

[@carlosyoung1630]

Dam! Facts of Life ran for 11 years?! Dam I never realized it was own that long. I wonder what's the longest running sitcom ever?

[@OnlyUknow2]

I don't know who this is honestly just saw the title. My mom had a cross burned on her front yard too and she was just a normal person/kid. And people say get over slavery. The KKK was formed because slavery ended. THE EFFECTS OF SLAVERY STILL HAVE A HUGE on people and society today.

[@carolynswan1171]

Good to see you Todd ❤

[@frostedhead]

Cross burned in his front yard? They were playing victim way back then too I guess?

[@stephanodixon619]

1:45 'they were gonna plant a gun on me and shoot me' how I'm posed to trust the jakes after that..?

[@soundwave803]

Didn't know Todd had these conflicts off the air.

[@thomasking428]

Cross Burning in 1980 , and they wonder why we act the way we do

[@paulbates2626]

I was born in 1970. I never knew that this kind of nonsense was happening. Honestly.

[@MarcusPark-rb8fl]

I remember him getting caught at a crack house with his Lamborghini sitting out front

[@SS-ii6nz]

This is a excellent interview. There are so many facts and the truth behind what happened to the end of one of the best shows on television. Different Strokes had a great cast and it was on during a era ofwonderful programs on television. We had the best music and great shows on TV. 😅😅😅

[@reeseromeo6]

Coleman's parents was so use to robbing him, they tried their luck with the network smh