Todd Bridges, “Diff’rent Strokes” alumni and star of such unforgettable motion pictures as “High School USA”, “Treasure n tha Hood”, and the Insane Clown Posse masterpiece “Big Money Rustlas”, has filed for divorce from his wife of 14 years. Divorce in this day and age isn’t anything unusual — turn around a few times and you’re likely to spot someone who has either been through it or is in the process of filing the paperwork — though Bridge’s decision to announce the split on Twitter is a little bizarre. Nothing like sharing your personal misery with your devoted legion of followers.
“The Bridges have decided that disunion is in the best interest of their collective futures. Although Todd and Dori are going their separate ways, they are mutually committed to the well-being of their son [Spencir, 13],” the actor said in a statement to People.com.
Regarding the divorce, Bridges tweeted, “She’s a great mother I’m glad to have had the years to know her and have a great kid with her. As we know, people grow apart and we did.”
Unless you were living under a rock during the 80’s or are simply too young to remember such things, Bridges rose to fame after a stint on the popular American sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes”, a sensitive, thought-provoking show that explored what happens when a rich white man adopts two poor African-American kids. Life lessons promptly ensued, including an episode devoted to the dangers of bicycle-peddling child molesters. You can’t find quality programming like that on television these days, kids. That junk belongs to the 80’s.
Bridges co-star Gary Coleman, who often spouted the infamous catchphrase “What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”, passed away in 2010. Troubled star Dana Plato, who portrayed Bridges’ stepsister on the program, died in 1999.
If you haven’t seen “Diff’rent Strokes”, you owe it to yourself and my generation to partake in an episode. There are several floating around YouTube, though my personal favorite, “Shootout at the O,K. Arcade”, has been embedded below. Directly beneath that, you can find several Twitter reactions to the split. Not surprisingly, they’re loaded with snark. Enjoy!
Todd Bridges has split from his wife. The couple had trouble communicating, because she never knew what he was talking about.
Todd Bridges announced he’s getting divorced. I wonder if his wife said, “Whatchoo talkin’ bout Willis?!” after he said he wants out.
Todd Bridges is getting a divorce. He should have married me I would have kept him off that ROCK.
Separated from his wife of 14 years, Todd Bridges seeks different strokes from different folks.
Who knew that Todd Bridges was even married?