James Bridges (February 3, 1936 – June 6, 1993) was an American screenwriter, film director, producer, and actor. He is a two-time Oscar nominee: once for Best Original Screenplay for The China Syndrome and once for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Paper Chase.
Jimmy Bridges | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 3, 1936 Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Died | June 6, 1993 (aged 57) Los Angeles, California |
| Occupations | |
| Partner | Jack Larson (1958—1993) (Bridges' death) |
Life and career
editBridges was born February 3, 1936, in Little Rock, Arkansas and grew up in Paris, Arkansas.[1] His mother was Celestine Wiggins, his sister was Mary Ann Wiggins, and his life partner from 1958 until his death was actor, librettist, screenwriter, and producer Jack Larson. Bridges got his start as a writer for Alfred Hitchcock Presents after catching the attention of Norman Lloyd, a producer for the series.[2] One of his episodes, "An Unlocked Window", earned him a 1966 Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Episode in a TV Series.
Bridges went on to write and direct a number of notable films, including The Baby Maker; The Paper Chase; September 30, 1955; The China Syndrome; Urban Cowboy; Mike's Murder; Perfect; and Bright Lights, Big City. Bridges was a mentor to actress Debra Winger.
Death
editIn 1990, Bridges was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. He died of kidney failure at the UCLA Medical Center on June 6, 1993, at 57 years old. He was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in his hometown of Paris, Arkansas.[1][3][4]
The James Bridges Theater at University of California, Los Angeles was named in his honor in November 1999.[5] Bridges was a faculty member there early in his career.
Filmography
editFilm
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | The Appaloosa[6] | Yes | ||
| 1970 | Colossus: The Forbin Project | Yes | ||
| The Baby Maker | Yes | Yes | ||
| 1972 | Limbo | Yes | ||
| 1973 | The Paper Chase | Yes | Yes | |
| 1977 | September 30, 1955 | Yes | Yes | |
| 1979 | The China Syndrome | Yes | Yes | |
| 1980 | Urban Cowboy | Yes | Yes | |
| 1984 | Mike's Murder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1985 | Perfect | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1986 | Palimos ng pag-ibig | Yes | ||
| 1988 | Bright Lights, Big City | Yes | ||
| 1990 | White Hunter Black Heart | Yes |
TV writer
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | The Great Adventure | Episode "Go Down, Moses" |
| 1963–1965 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Episodes:
|
| 1969 | The Flim-Flam Man | TV movie |
| 1972 | When Michael Calls | |
| 1973 | Carola | |
| 1985 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Episode "An Unlocked Window" |
| 1978–1986 | The Paper Chase | Episodes "The Paper Chase" and "The Seating Chart" |
| 2007 | SineSerye | Episode "Palimos ng pag-ibig" |
Acting roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Invasion of the Saucer Men | Bobby | |
| Johnny Trouble | Ike | [2][7] | |
| 1957–1958 | Dragnet | Unnamed | Episodes "The Big License Plates" and "The Big Hype" |
| 1958 | Mackenzie's Raiders | Private Lewis | Episode "Mackenzie's Raiders" |
| Flight | Unnamed | Episode "Experiment Oxygen" | |
| Shirley Temple's Storybook | Unnamed | Episode "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" | |
| Joy Ride | Dirk | ||
| 1964 | Tarzan And Jane Regained... Sort Of | Lord of the forest | |
| 1968 | Faces | Extra |
References
edit- ^ a b "New York Times obituary". The New York Times. June 8, 1993. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
- ^ a b King, Susan (July 6, 2011). "Adventures with Bridges". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ "Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture". encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ^ "Variety obituary". variety.com. June 7, 1993. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
- ^ "James Bridges Theater". UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ "1963 book". goodreads.com. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
- ^ Larson, Jack (12 August 2011). "DP/30: Jack Larson & James Bridges - A Hollywood Partnership (1 of 3)". DP/30: The Oral History Of Hollywood (Interview). Interviewed by David Poland. Archived from the original on 2021-12-14. Retrieved 28 August 2015.