Bridges 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."

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2010/03/15/todd_bridges_opens_up_about_troubled_c

I put a request in for this book at the library - it sounds fascinating.

I just finished this book (took one day to read), which I borrowed from my library. Not an interesting book in any respect.

Sorry folks, but Bridges comes off as the professional victim - everyone was out to get him from 'day one' (starting with his father). Though at the end he says he takes responsibilities for most of his poor decisions, he really doesn't get that message across in the book - it's just the opposite. Everyone (from his dad, to Coleman, to the LAPD) was 'out to get him', and he plays the victim rather well. Some of his 'memories' don't add up, which makes me question the validity of his statements.

It's too bad, because I have always liked Bridges. I really was interested in his life story, and was looking forward to this book. I liked him the best on DS, and always thought he was one of the most talented child actors of my childhood (he's just a couple of years younger than I). I've often wondered how far his career would have gone if he made some better decisions....but we'll never know since everyone conspired against him (so he says).

I just finished this book (took one day to read), which I borrowed from my library. Not an interesting book in any respect.

Sorry folks, but Bridges comes off as the professional victim - everyone was out to get him from 'day one' (starting with his father). Though at the end he says he takes responsibilities for most of his poor decisions, he really doesn't get that message across in the book - it's just the opposite. Everyone (from his dad, to Coleman, to the LAPD) was 'out to get him', and he plays the victim rather well. Some of his 'memories' don't add up, which makes me question the validity of his statements.

It's too bad, because I have always liked Bridges. I really was interested in his life story, and was looking forward to this book. I liked him the best on DS, and always thought he was one of the most talented child actors of my childhood (he's just a couple of years younger than I). I've often wondered how far his career would have gone if he made some better decisions....but we'll never know since everyone conspired against him (so he says).




People are supposed to be able to forgive and forget, so they say.

I didn't really condone what Todd did in the past.

But since he has decided to clean himself up, get off drugs, turn his life around and began trying to help others do the same, I congratulate and condone him wholeheartedly for sharing his past experiences with others and for him trying to help others to stay away from the very controversial lifestyle that HE once lived. :)

People are supposed to be able to forgive and forget, as they say.

I didn't really condone what Todd did in the past.

But since he has decided to clean himself up, get off drugs, turn his life around and began trying to help others do the same, I congratulate and condone him wholeheartedly for sharing his past experiences with others and for him trying to help others to stay away from the very controversial lifestyle that HE once lived. :)
That's pretty much how I feel. I just hope he can continue with it. He's the only one of the main kids left. :(

That's pretty much how I feel. I just hope he can continue with it. He's the only one of the main kids left. :(




There is still the one who played Danny, or whatever the character name was after Mr Drummond got married.

There is still the one who played Danny, or whatever the character name was after Mr Drummond got married.
Yea but that's when the show jumped the shark. lol I know and Dudley, Robbie and Lisa are still around.

Yea but that's when the show jumped the shark. lol I know and Dudley, Robbie and Lisa are still around.




Yes they are. Forgot about them.

Shavar (Dudley) Ross has his own production co, has a son and daughter, is married and is doing well. He also became a priest or minister at one time. HE ALSO, began appearing on Strokes when HE was a little boy as well.

He later went on to to do guest appearances in such sitcoms as Amen, Fresh Prince of BelAire and others. He also appeared in one of the Friday the 13th sequels - the 5th one.

He was later asked by the producers to do another sequel to the film in which his character was going to be killed off, but he respectfully decined it. I'm so glad that he chose not to do it, because I didn't want to see him get "killed" off!

Miraculously, he was able to successfully avoid the pitfalls, trials and tribulations that Dana, Todd and Gary went through with their turbulent lives. I commend HIM as well and wish him continued success in what he does!!

Here are some pics of Shavar Ross, some of them are from when he was a little boy. The first one is of Shawn Harrison, who looks almost like his son, Seven. :)

Some more.

I guess I'd respect Bridges more if he hadn't included all that stuff about Plato.

I am totally against levelling charges against dead people, since they are no longer around to give their side of the story. It's indecent and unfair. And as others have said, it smacks of abrogating his own responsibility for what happened in his life.

I guess I'd respect Bridges more if he hadn't included all that stuff about Plato.

I am totally against levelling charges against dead people, since they are no longer around to give their side of the story. It's indecent and unfair. And as others have said, it smacks of abrogating his own responsibility for what happened in his life.
I can understand that. I like Dana. I always have. She was messed up though. All 3 of them were. If it happened then it happened. It doesn't really make me think less of her. I haven't read the book or anything so I don't know how hard he came down on her but if he's just being honest then I have no problem with it. If he's really going after her then I would. I think Dana's life was a real tagedy. DS gave a lot of happy moments to so many people. It's just too bad that the kids on that show didn't share that many. :(

Here are some pics of Shavar Ross. The first one is of his son, Seven. :)

That first picture looks exactly like Shawn Harrison (Waldo on Family Matters)!

That first picture looks exactly like Shawn Harrison (Waldo on Family Matters)!
It really does. They could be twins. And Shavar did co-star with Shawn on Family Matters for a time too.

That first picture looks exactly like Shawn Harrison (Waldo on Family Matters)!





Sorry, my bad.

It IS Shawn Harrison. He DOES in some way, look like Ross's son, Seven.

I just Googled his name and found that same pic there. Sorry about that. :)

Here are several more pics of Shavar Ross. One is with Ricky Shroder :)

A few more.

Two of them is of Todd then & now.

I am totally against levelling charges against dead people, since they are no longer around to give their side of the story. It's indecent and unfair.

I agree with you, it IS unfair & indecent..but sadly its the "norm". Today on the radio I heard that there are nonless THREE books planned to rip apart Dick Clark but they will be only released after Clark's death. Why not release the books now while Clark is still alive so he could defend himself? That is if Clark would in the first place. Afterall just prior to his death, a book was released that went into very graphic details about the drug use and "weirdness" of Elvis Presley. Elvis not only knew about the book "Elvis..What Happened?" but had actually read it !!

Yet Elvis Presley never did defend himself much less told his side of the story. Maybe he didn't want to bother and oddly enough I think Dana Plato would had taken the same route too had she read Bridges book.

It really does. They could be twins. And Shavar did co-star with Shawn on Family Matters for a time too.
Yup - I loved Waldo and Weasel. They ruled. :cool: :D

I agree with you, it IS unfair & indecent..but sadly its the "norm". Today on the radio I heard that there are nonless THREE books planned to rip apart Dick Clark but they will be only released after Clark's death. Why not release the books now while Clark is still alive so he could defend himself? That is if Clark would in the first place. Afterall just prior to his death, a book was released that went into very graphic details about the drug use and "weirdness" of Elvis Presley. Elvis not only knew about the book "Elvis..What Happened?" but had actually read it !!

Yet Elvis Presley never did defend himself much less told his side of the story. Maybe he didn't want to bother and oddly enough I think Dana Plato would had taken the same route too had she read Bridges book.




Seems that this type of thing happens all the time.

When you're a celeb, the tabloids eat at you mercilessly! And then, after a celeb dies, they STILL eat at them, just like a pack of hungry wild wolves!! :(

Yet Elvis Presley never did defend himself much less told his side of the story. Maybe he didn't want to bother and oddly enough I think Dana Plato would had taken the same route too had she read Bridges book.

How unfortunate that none of us will never know for sure. :(

Just like what happened after Joan Crawford died. Her daughter wrote a book about her which was made into a movie. Now when you think of Joan Crawford, you think of Mommie Dearest. Even if everything was true, she never could defend herself. I think Bette Davis's daughter wrote a book about her too.

Ross himself, has had some encounters with problems during his childhood years.

In the pic blelow, he & Gary are seen with Gordon Jump (Ross is on the right) who made a guest appearance in an episode of the show where he played a pedophile / child molester & owner of a bike shop.

At the time that Gary & Ross were taping that episode, Ross himself, playing the part of the molested child, was actually experiencing a real-life tauma where he was being touched inappropriately by a family friend while he was sleeping! :eek:

Todd totally takes responsibility for himself in the book,He doesn't bash Dana.He can't tell his story without someone he knew that long.He has no reason to lie on her.She never denied drug use.No one in the cast/crew has objected to the book or it's contents. Read it for yourselves! The Behind The Camera movie exposed their sexual relationship and the producers have said Todd and Gary were not involved in the script.No matter who introduces you to drugs/sex it's on you after that(as an adult)! He does not deny that in the book.

He has moved on to better things after that.

He can be seen commentating in Trutv Presents World's Dumbest on Trutv. :)

Here are several more pics of Shavar Ross. One is with Ricky Shroder :)


That pic of the girl who played dianne when she went on a date with Arnold, I know she is HOT right now

My guess is she is about 44/45