For other people, see James Bridges (disambiguation).
Jimmy Bridges
Birth nameJames McKeen Bridges
Birth dateFebruary 3, 1936
Birth placeLittle Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Death dateJune 6, 1993 (aged 57)
Death placeLos Angeles, California, U.S.
PartnerJack Larson (1958—1993; Bridges' death)
OccupationScreenwriter · film director · film producer · actor

James McKeen Bridges (February 3, 1936 – June 6, 1993) was an American screenwriter, film director, producer, and actor. He was a two-time Oscar nominee: once for Best Original Screenplay for The China Syndrome and once for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Paper Chase.

Personal life

James McKeen Bridges was born on February 3, 1936, in Little Rock, Arkansas and grew up in Paris, Arkansas.[1] (Some sources indicate he was born in Paris.) He was born to teenaged parents, Doy Eugene Bridges (1917–1989) and Mary Celestine ( McKeen) Bridges (1918–2002). His parents' marriage ended when Bridges was a youngster. His mother later married Melvin Floyd Wiggins and had a daughter, Mary Ann Wiggins. Bridges was nicknamed "Jimmy Mac" or "Jimmy Mack" by his schoolmates.[citation needed]

Bridges' life partner from 1958 until his death was actor, librettist, screenwriter, and producer Jack Larson.

Career

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[3]; 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, which he battled for three years.[4][5] He died at the UCLA Medical Center on June 6, 1993, aged 57, with the immediate cause of death being kidney failure[1] stemming from cancer.[5][6] He was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in his hometown of Paris, Arkansas.[1][7][8]

The James Bridges Theater at the University of California, Los Angeles was named in his honor in November 1999.[9]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleDirectorWriterProducer
1966The Appaloosa
1970Colossus: The Forbin Project
The Baby Maker
1972Limbo
1973The Paper Chase
1977September 30, 1955
1979The China Syndrome
1980Urban Cowboy
1984Mike's Murder
1985Perfect
1986Palimos ng pag-ibig
1988Bright Lights, Big City
1990White Hunter Black Heart

TV writer

YearTitleNotes
1963The Great AdventureEpisode "Go Down, Moses"
1963–1965The 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"
1969The Flim-Flam ManTV movie
1972When Michael Calls
1973Carola
1985Alfred Hitchcock PresentsEpisode "An Unlocked Window"
1978–1986The Paper ChaseEpisodes "The Paper Chase" and "The Seating Chart"
2007SineSeryeEpisode "Palimos ng pag-ibig"

Acting roles

YearTitleRoleNotes
1957Invasion of the Saucer MenBobby
Johnny TroubleIke[2][10]
1957–1958DragnetEpisodes "The Big License Plates" and "The Big Hype"
1958Mackenzie's RaidersPrivate LewisEpisode "Mackenzie's Raiders"
FlightEpisode "Experiment Oxygen"
Shirley Temple's StorybookEpisode "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"
Joy RideDirk
1964Tarzan And Jane Regained... Sort OfLord of the forestAndy Warhol film
1968FacesExtra

References

  1. ^ "New York Times obituary". The New York Times. June 8, 1993. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  2. ^ King, Susan (July 6, 2011). "Adventures with Bridges". Los Angeles Times. Archived April 14, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  3. ^ Vagg, Stephen (11 April 2026). "Forgotten Film Moguls: Irving Levin of National General Pictures". Filmink. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  4. ^ Russell, Ron (June 7, 1993). "James Bridges; Director, Writer of ‘China Syndrome’". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  5. ^ King, Susan (November 11, 1999). "Honoring James Bridges". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 12, 2026. Bridges, who died of cancer in 1993 at the age of 57.
  6. ^ King, Susan (July 6, 2011). "Adventures with Bridges". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 12, 2026. Jack Larson, who was Bridges’ personal and professional partner from the late 1950s until Bridges’ death from cancer in 1993 at age 57.
  7. ^ "Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture". encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  8. ^ "Variety obituary". variety.com. June 7, 1993. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  9. ^ "James Bridges Theater". UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  10. ^ Larson, Jack (12 August 2011). "DP/30: Jack Larson & James Bridges - A Hollywood Partnership (1 of 3)". DP/30: The Oral History Of Hollywood. Archived 2021-12-14 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 August 2015.