Todd Bridges is an American actor best known for playing Willis Jackson on the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes. Born May 27, 1965, in San Francisco, California, he is 61 years old. He was married to designer and photographer Bettijo Hirschi from September 2022 until their separation in January 2026, with a divorce filing following in April 2026. His estimated net worth ranges from $250,000 to $750,000 according to entertainment outlets, presented as estimates only.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Todd Anthony Bridges |
| Date of Birth | May 27, 1965 |
| Age | 61 |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California |
| Profession | Actor |
| Known For | Willis Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes; Monk on Everybody Hates Chris |
| Wife | Bettijo Hirschi (m. 2022; separated January 2026, divorce filed April 2026); previously Dori Bridges (m. 1998–2012) |
| Children | 2 — son Spencir Bridges, daughter Bo |
| Estimated Net Worth | $250,000–$750,000 (estimates, various outlets) |
Early Life
Todd Anthony Bridges was born on May 27, 1965, in San Francisco, California, into an entertainment family — his mother Betty Alice Pryor was an actress and his father James Bridges Sr. was a talent agent. His siblings Jimmy Bridges and Verda Bridges also worked in entertainment. Exposed to the industry from childhood, Bridges began modeling for magazines and advertisements and landed minor roles on children's shows before his teens, with his mother coaching him for auditions.
Acting Career
Bridges' breakthrough came at age 13 when he was cast as Willis Jackson, the older brother on the NBC sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, which ran from 1978 to 1986. His portrayal of Willis — famous for the catchphrase "What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" — made him a household name, and he reportedly earned around $15,000 per episode by the show's later seasons. Before that, he appeared as the grandson of Chicken George in the landmark miniseries Roots (1977) and starred in the spin-off Fish.
Bridges has also spoken publicly about the dangers of child stardom, drawing on his own experiences to advocate for young performers and to counsel families navigating the entertainment industry. In interviews over the years, he has credited his recovery and his renewed faith with helping him rebuild both his career and his personal life after the turbulent years that followed Diff'rent Strokes. His story of early fame, addiction and comeback has been featured in documentaries and talk shows, and he has used that platform to encourage others struggling with substance abuse to seek help.
After Diff'rent Strokes ended, Bridges faced personal struggles, including drug addiction and legal troubles in his twenties; he became sober in 1993. He rebuilt his career with a memorable recurring role as Monk on Everybody Hates Chris (2005–2009), served as a commentator on truTV's World's Dumbest… (2008–2013), and appeared on Celebrity Big Brother. He has continued acting in film and television, including Christmas in the Friendly Skies (2024), and co-hosted the DANG! podcast with Bettijo Hirschi starting in 2024, discussing addiction, anxiety and resilience.
Wife and Family
Who is Todd Bridges' wife? Bridges married designer, photographer and lifestyle blogger Bettijo Hirschi on September 25, 2022, at the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, California, with a reception at the nearby Il Cielo restaurant. They had met in January 2022 after a mutual friend set up a dating profile for Hirschi, and Bridges proposed within months. Hirschi, from Phoenix, Arizona, previously ran the lifestyle blog Paging Supermom and brought four children from a previous relationship into the marriage.
On January 14, 2026, Bridges announced their separation in a statement to People, saying the decision came "after much prayer and reflection" and was made with "love and gratitude for the life we shared." He filed for divorce in April 2026, citing the marriage as "irretrievably broken," with reports indicating a mutual out-of-court settlement and neither party seeking spousal support.
Bridges was previously married to actress Dori Smith Bridges from 1998 to 2012. They share two children: son Spencir Bridges (born July 15, 1998), who also worked as a child actor, and daughter Bo. The former couple described their split as mutual, remaining committed to co-parenting.
Net Worth
Todd Bridges' net worth is estimated between $250,000 and $750,000, with Celebrity Net Worth placing it around $750,000 in 2026 and other outlets citing approximately $250,000. These are estimates, not audited figures. His wealth derives from decades of acting — primarily his Diff'rent Strokes salary and later television roles — along with royalties, convention appearances and podcast work. During the 2026 divorce proceedings, Hirschi described Bridges as semi-retired with inconsistent income, and the couple owned a home in Glendale, Arizona, reportedly worth around $700,000.
Recent Projects and Public Life
Bridges has remained active on screen through the mid-2020s. In 2024 he appeared in the TV movie Christmas in the Friendly Skies as Darnell and in the film Glitter Gulch, and he returned to the role that revived his career by voicing Monk in two episodes of the animated series Everybody Still Hates Chris, a continuation of the sitcom where he first won over audiences as an adult performer. His film Skate to Hell, whose production was crowdfunded with more than $55,000 starting in 2024, premiered in Las Vegas in January 2026, went to DVD in March 2026, and arrived on digital platforms the following month. His IMDb page also lists several independent projects in various stages of production.
He has stayed visible as a guest and interview subject as well. Bridges and Bettijo Hirschi appeared together on The Tamron Hall Show in December 2024, where they described how they met, and he returned to the show for a September 2025 episode. He appeared as himself in the 2025 docuseries Hollywood Demons, guested on The White House Pod – Dare to Dream, and in August 2025 sat down with The Patrick LabyorSheaux podcast, where he spoke warmly about playing Solomon on Little House on the Prairie. That interview helped set up his first-ever Little House fan appearance, announced for the Holiday Reunion at Strathearn Historical Park in Simi Valley that December.
At the Fanboy Expo in Knoxville in early 2026, Bridges spoke publicly about his Diff'rent Strokes co-star Gary Coleman, sharing that the two had reconciled before Coleman's death in 2010 after years of estrangement.
Alongside acting, Bridges continues the recovery advocacy that has defined much of his later public life. His 2010 memoir, Killing Willis: From Diff'rent Strokes to the Mean Streets to the Life I Always Wanted, chronicles his fall and comeback, and he has spent years traveling to schools, churches and community events to warn young people about drug use and negative peer pressure. He founded the Todd Bridges Youth Foundation and has worked as an addiction counselor, drawing on his own story to encourage others in recovery to seek help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Todd Bridges' wife? Todd Bridges married Bettijo Hirschi in September 2022. They announced their separation in January 2026, and Bridges filed for divorce in April 2026. He was previously married to Dori Bridges from 1998 to 2012.
How old is Todd Bridges? Todd Bridges was born on May 27, 1965, making him 61 years old.
What was Todd Bridges known for? He is best known for playing Willis Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986), along with his later role as Monk on Everybody Hates Chris.
Does Todd Bridges have children? Yes, he has two children with ex-wife Dori Bridges: son Spencir and daughter Bo.
What is Todd Bridges' net worth? Estimates range from about $250,000 to $750,000, based on his decades-long acting career and royalties.
What recent projects has Todd Bridges worked on? In 2024 he starred in the TV movie Christmas in the Friendly Skies and the film Glitter Gulch, and voiced Monk in two episodes of the animated Everybody Still Hates Chris. His film Skate to Hell premiered in January 2026 and reached digital platforms in April 2026.
Is Todd Bridges still active in show business? Yes. Beyond acting, he appears at fan conventions and on talk shows and podcasts, and he remains active in recovery advocacy — speaking to young people about addiction, drawing on his own experiences and his 2010 memoir Killing Willis.