James Bridges

For other people named James Bridges, see James Bridges (disambiguation).

James 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.

Jimmy Bridges
Born	(1936-02-03)February 3, 1936 Little Rock, Arkansas
Died	June 6, 1993(1993-06-06) (aged 57) Los Angeles, California
Occupations	Screenwriter film director film producer actor
Partner	Jack Larson (1958—1993) (Bridges' death)

Life and career

Bridges was born on 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 the 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	Andy Warhol film
1968	Faces	Extra