Actor bo bridges biography

1. Early Life and Career
2. College and Early Film Roles
3. Television and Film Success
4. Music Career and Directing
5. Critical Recognition
6. Later Career and Awards

Early Life and Career

Bo Bridges was born in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, to television actor Lloyd Bridges and college sweetheart Dorothy Dean Simpson. Bo has a younger brother, actor Jeff Bridges (1949), and a sister, Cindy (1950). His other brother, Gary (1947), died at birth. Bo's parents gave him his nickname after Ashley Wilkes' son in "Gone With the Wind."

College and Early Film Roles

In high school, Bo excelled in basketball and played on the team during his freshman year at the University of California. He later transferred to the University of Hawaii but dropped out in 1967 to play his first major role in the film "For Love of Ivy," which earned him his first Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Television and Film Success

Bo Bridges made his screen debut at age seven in two films by director Lewis Milestone: "No Minor Vices" (1948) with Dana Andrews and "The Red Pony" (1949) with Robert Mitchum and Myrna Loy. He discontinued acting in his teens and returned to the screen only in 1960 in the science fiction television series "The Clear Horizon" with Ted Knight and Lee Meriwether. After the show was canceled, he made numerous guest appearances on television, including on his father's television series "Sea Hunt," which also starred his brother and mother. He subsequently appeared with his father multiple times and with his brother on several occasions.

In 1967, he played a memorable role in the thriller "The Incident" alongside Ruby Dee and Ed McMahon. In 1970, he portrayed the lead in the drama "The Landlord" with Diana Sands, and in 1979, he co-starred with Sally Field in "Norma Rae." In Ken Annakin's "The Fifth Musketeer," he played both the King and his twin brother. His father, Lloyd Bridges, also appeared in the film as Aramis.

Music Career and Directing

In 1969, Bo and his brother Jeff planned to pursue a music career and signed a contract with Quincy Jones, but the project never materialized. Bo made his directorial debut in 1987 with "Wild Pair," which starred his father as Colonel Huster. He also played one of the lead roles alongside Bubba Smith.

Critical Recognition

In 1989, he received the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the musical drama "The Fabulous Baker Boys," which starred his brother Jeff and Michelle Pfeiffer. In 1991, he played the lead role of White House Press Secretary James Brady in the television film "Without Warning," for which he won an Emmy Award and Golden Globe. The 1993 comedy "The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom" also earned him an Emmy and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.

Later Career and Awards

In 1994, he again cast Lloyd Bridges in his film "My Father's Secret Sins." In 1996, his role in Martin Bell's television film "Hidden in America," produced by Jeff Bridges, earned him another Emmy nomination, and in 1997, he won again for his role in the television film "The Second Civil War."

Throughout his career, Bo Bridges has portrayed such legendary figures as Benjamin Franklin, P.T. Barnum, Richard Nixon, James Brady, and Tom Parker. Notable television roles include CIA Director in "The Agency" (2002-2003) and SGC Project Leader in "Stargate SG-1" (2005-2007). He was nominated for an Emmy in 1995 for his guest role in "The Outer Limits" and received another nomination in 2007 for his role as the protagonist's father in NBC's comedy "My Name Is Earl."

In 2003, Bo Bridges received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next to those of his father and brother.