Todd Bridges Opens Up About Being Sexually Abused, Doing Drugs, And Off-Screen Romance With Dana Plato In New Book "Killing Willis"
Posted by Media Outrage on March 17th, 2010
Todd Bridges is telling the real story of what sent him into a downward spiral from being a child-star to a drug addict in his new book “Killing Willis.” He was at Borders Columbus Circle in NYC yesterday signing copies of his new auto biography. Peep some of the terrible things that happened to this has been when you
Former “Diff’Rent Strokes” star Todd Bridges has opened up about his drug addiction, childhood abuse and off-screen romance with late co-star Dana Plato in a candid new book.
The former child actor, who played beloved TV character Willis on the hit 1970s and ’80s show, has put pen to paper for “Killing Willis: From Diff’rent Strokes to the Mean Streets to the Life I Always Wanted.”
In the autobiography, Bridges, who claims he was physically abused at the hands of his father, pinpoints the moment that sent him into a downward spiral. The actor alleges his former male publicist performed oral sex on him when he was 12 years old, and details his horror when his father accused him of lying about the incident.
He writes, “Bringing all that up was tough in a way, but I resolved the issues. It’s kind of sad to know that a grown man would take advantage of a child. But what made it more tough was that your father took the guy’s side. That kind of broke me at 12 years old. I was really lost after that.”
Bridges also claims Plato – who died from a prescription drug overdose in 1999 – introduced him to drugs, which led to his long battle with cocaine and crystal meth addiction.
However, the actor – who has been sober for 17 years – insists he has taken responsibility for his actions. He writes in the prologue, “Seriously, I would not change a single thing about my life.”
Explaining why he’s writing the book, he adds, “I really wanted to tell what really happened… They always want to make me blame Hollywood. That’s just not the truth. You know how they say Hollywood throws childhood stars away? That wasn’t true in my case.”
March 17th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
I’d read it. He’s owning up to his mistakes and not blaming anybody else. That says a lot to me.
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March 17th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Welllll you kinda did blame someone else, you blamed your co-star for your drug introduction when It’s really up to each of us if we want to take that step. You saying you would not change a single thing about your life makes it seem as if you would go through the abuse again.So you really would want to change that part of your life if you could….Otherwise I pray Todd has found peace within himself.
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mAc Reply:
March 17th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
lmao @ YISI i was thinking the same damn thing. Wouldn’t you want to change that shit? lol
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March 17th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
I am glad he’s clean…but no since airing out 20 yr old dirty laundry about someone else.
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March 17th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
The man has turned his life around now leave him alone.
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March 17th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I think Lil’ Wayne can relate to an adult sexually abusing him ( Baby)
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Mrs. 2020VIZN♥ Reply:
March 17th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
You ain’t right and you know it lol
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Media Outrage Reply:
March 17th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Lol
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Satui Reply:
March 18th, 2010 at 3:59 am
lmao!
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March 17th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
I might read his book, just to see “What U talkin’ bout Willis”…lol
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Media Outrage Reply:
March 17th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
LOL LOL
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March 18th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Why would you refer to Todd Bridges as a HAS-BEEN??? SMDH… all tv series’ come to an end at some point. At least this man is making an honest living. I think what he’s doing is admirable.
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