Todd Bridges Reveals His Last Words to His Mother,Good TimesStar Betty A. Bridges, Before She Died a Month Ago (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Betta A. Bridges and son Todd Bridges in 1981.Photo:Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Todd Bridgesis revealing his final words to his mother beforeshe died.

TheDiff’rentStrokes actor, 59, sat down with PEOPLE to talk about his late mom, Betty A. Bridges, who died at age 83 on Aug. 27. He explained that because he loved her, he gave her permission to move on.

“Before she passed away, she was awake a little bit, and I kissed her on the forehead, and I said, ‘Look, if you want to go see your mom and your grandmother and your brothers, you can go ahead, Mom. Go. We’re going to be okay,’ ” he recalls. “And about a couple hours later, she was gone.”

“She was going through too much, and I was happy that God took her home,” he explains. “My mom passing away, to me, I didn’t want her to, but I didn’t want to see her suffer anymore either.”

Betty A. Bridges and son Todd Bridges.Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Like her son, Betty found a career in acting. She is best known for her roles inGood Times,ERand2 Broke Girls. In addition to being his mother, Todd recalls how Betty also “taught a lot of people” around her.

“What’s interesting is, the reason why so many Black kids ended up in this business was because of my parents," he explains.

The late actress died while under hospice care at Todd’s house, and he says it was difficult for him and his wife “watching her decline, knowing she wouldn’t make it.”

“My mom, she stood behind me no matter what,” he tells PEOPLE of his mom’s unwavering support, especially in difficult times. “And the reason why I’m sober is because of her.”

Betty A. Bridges.Todd Bridges/Instagram

Todd Bridges/Instagram

Todd has been sober for 31 years, which he jokes makes him “no spring chicken,” and that is just one of the many topics he plans on talking about in his forthcoming new podcast with hiswife, Bettijo.

“We just thought that there are a lot of podcasts out there, but I think that our views are a lot different than most people’s podcasts,” he says of the inspiration to startDang!, whichreleases on Nov. 13.

On the acting front, Todd voices the character Monk in theEverybody Loves Chrisanimated spin-off,Everybody Still Hates Chris, which is currently airing on Comedy Central.

Todd Bridges in 2019.Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

With all the change in his life, Todd says it is important that he stays grounded in his faith and focuses on the good that is happening around him.

“The thing I’m most excited about is just being able to go out there and do what I like doing, but on my terms,” he says. “I like how actors now have a lot more control of stuff. Back in the day, you didn’t have that much control. But we do now. We have a lot more control of what we want to do, if we want to do it, when we want to do it.”

“I just think that God has me right where he wants me, and I’m okay right here,” he adds.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Everybody Still Hates Chrisairs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central.

source: people.com