Former child star Todd Bridges, best known for his role on the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, has publicly announced the end of his marriage to photographer and designer Bettijo Hirschi.
A Statement of Mutual Respect
Bridges, now 60, confirmed the split on Wednesday, stating the couple had decided to part ways after three years of marriage. In a statement provided to the outlet TMZ, the actor said: "After much thought and mutual respect, we have decided to end our marriage." He added, "During our time together we shared meaningful moments, but have chosen to go our separate ways. I ask for privacy and wish her nothing but love and happiness moving forward."
The Daily Mail has also approached Bridges for further comment on the situation.
A Blended Family and a Beverly Hills Wedding
The couple's relationship moved quickly after they reportedly met on a dating app. They became engaged just six months after they started dating and tied the knot nine months after their first meeting.
Their wedding was an intimate affair held on September 25, 2022. The ceremony took place in Beverly Hills with approximately 40 guests in attendance, followed by a reception at the well-known restaurant Il Cielo.
The marriage was a blended family union. Bridges has two children from previous relationships: a 29-year-old daughter named Bo and a 27-year-old son, Spencir, from his first marriage to Dori Smith, which lasted from 1998 to 2012. Hirschi brought four children of her own into the marriage from a previous relationship.
Hirschi is a multi-talented creative professional with over two decades of experience in writing, design, and photography. Her work has been featured in publications including Real Simple and O Magazine, and she runs the popular lifestyle blog Paging Supermom.
The Legacy of Diff'rent Strokes
Todd Bridges rose to fame in the late 1970s and 1980s playing Willis Jackson on the beloved NBC sitcom Diff'rent Strokes. The show aired from 1978 until 1986 and made him a household name.
His announcement brings a sombre note to the show's legacy, as Bridges is now the only surviving main cast member. His young co-star Gary Coleman (Arnold) died in 2010, Dana Plato (Kimberly) passed away in 1999, and the adult actors Conrad Bain and Charlotte Rae died in 2013 and 2018 respectively.
Following his time on Diff'rent Strokes, Bridges maintained a presence on television. He had a recurring role on Everybody Hates Chris and worked as a commentator on the series TruTV Presents: World's Dumbest... from 2008 to 2013.
