'Chris' Actor Bridges Not Dead Either

Zap2It.com | March 28, 2007

Todd Bridges

He's alive? What you talking 'bout, Willis?

Unlike other troubled former child stars, Todd Bridges would like the public to know that he's clean, sober and very much alive.

Like comedian Sinbad just over a week before, Bridges has found himself contradicting rumors that he has died, reports People.

Apparently, on a New York radio station, a report about a truck driver named Shawn Bridges who had a drug problem and eventually died after a long illness got mixed up with the actor's life. Rumors began flying on a gossip website that Todd Bridges had died of a drug-related death.

This left Bridges reassuring his wife, sister and other friends and family members that he was still among the living.

"There were all these calls about it, and for a half an hour no one could reach me," he says. "I was in [electronics store] Fry's shopping and I had my cell phone on silent. I am just glad that my kid never heard it."

The "Diff'rent Strokes" alum admits that he used to have a drug problem, but he's been sober fro the last 14 years. The 41-year-old actor has been enjoying a career revival. He recently competed on FOX's "Skating With Celebrities" and has a recurring guest role on the CW's "Everybody Hates Chris" as a quirky war veteran who is a merchant at the corner store.