James Bridges

For other people named James Bridges, see James Bridges (disambiguation).
Jimmy Bridges
Born(1936-02-03)February 3, 1936
Little Rock, Arkansas
DiedJune 6, 1993(1993-06-06) (aged 57)
Los Angeles, California
Occupations
PartnerJack Larson (1958—1993) (Bridges' death)

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.

Life and career

Bridges 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

In 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

Film

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:
  • "A Tangled Web"
  • "The Star Juror"
  • "Death and the Joyful Woman"
  • "Dear Uncle George"
  • "Run for Doom"
  • "The Cadaver"
  • "The Jar"
  • "Murder Case"
  • "Beast in View"
  • "The Gentleman Caller"
  • "Bed of Roses"
  • "Return of Verge Likens"
  • "Where the Woodbine Twineth"
  • "An Unlocked Window"
  • "Death Scene"
  • "Power of Attorney"
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

  1. ^ a b "New York Times obituary". The New York Times. June 8, 1993. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture". encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Variety obituary". variety.com. June 7, 1993. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  5. ^ "James Bridges Theater". UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  6. ^ "1963 book". goodreads.com. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  7. ^ 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.