Killing Willis From Diff'rent Strokes to the Mean Streets to the Life I Always Wanted

The former child starbest known as Willis Jackson onDiff'rent Strokesshares the shocking but inspirational details of his struggles with addiction, brushes with the law, and fierce fight to carve a path through the darkness and find his true identity.For Todd Bridges early stardom was no protection from painful childhood events that paved the road to his own personal hell. One of the first African-American child actors on shows likeLittle House on the Prairie, The Waltons,andRoots,Bridges burst to the national forefront on the hit sitcomDiff'rent Strokesas the subject of the popular catchphrase, "What'chu Talkin About Willis?" When the show ended, Bridges was overwhelmed by the off-camera traumas he had faced. Turning to drugs as an escape, he soon lost control.Now, for the first time, Bridges opens up about his life before and afterDiff'rent Strokes:the incredible reversals of fortune brought on by fame and the precipitousand very publicdescent that followed; the persecution from police; the drug addiction that nearly consumed him; the criminal charges that almost earned him a life sentence; and his successful legal defense led by Johnnie Cochran. Through it all, Bridges never relented in his quest to fight his way back from the abyss, establish his own identityseparate from Willis Jacksonand offer his ordeal as a positive example for those struggling to overcome similar challenges. His triumphant story of recovery and redemption is recounted here as well.Todd Bridges has lived a life of remarkable twists and turnsfrom the greatest heights to the lowest lows imaginable. In this shocking but ultimately hopeful memoir, he proves that what he was really talking about was survival.

Todd Bridges appeared in Little House on the Prairie and the landmark miniseries Roots and was a regular on the Barney Miller spinoff Fish and The Waltons before landing his best-known role as Willis Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes. Today he is a working actor, director, and producer. He has two children and lives in Los Angeles.