James Bridges (February 3, 1936 — June 6, 1993) was an American screenwriter and film director.Bridges was born in Paris, Arkansas. He got his start as a writer for Alfred Hitchcock Presents after catching the attention of Norman Lloyd, a producer for the series. 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, Perfect, and Bright Lights, Big City. Bridges was a mentor to actress Debra Winger.From 1958 to 1993, his life partner was actor Jack Larson, best known for his portrayal of Jimmy Olsen in the TV series Adventures of Superman. Bridges died in Los Angeles, California of cancer. The James Bridges Theater at University of California, Los Angeles was named in his honor in November 1999. Bridges was a faculty member there early in his career.
June 6, 1993, Los Angeles, California, United States
Place Of Birth
Paris, Arkansas, USA
Profession
Writer, Actor, Director
Education
University of Central Arkansas
Awards
Edgar Award for Best Television Episode Teleplay, Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Drama
Star Sign
Aquarius
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Quote
1
I hate to sound sappy, but I was shit on by a lot of people in Hollywood.
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(1988 American Film interview) I think it's a fallacy that you have to be young to be hip. It's bullshit.
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Fact
1
Bridges attended Arkansas State Teacher's College, before moving to Los Angeles, where he started as an actor in television dramas, as well as selling ice cream part-time. He wrote several screenplays, one of which (for The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962)) won him an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America. He later worked as a stage manager with John Houseman's UCLA Theater Group and directed his first play in 1966. He only directed eight films, beginning in 1970. Most famous of these was The China Syndrome (1979), which he also co-wrote. As a former actor, he acquired a reputation as an 'actor's director', able to bring out more finely tuned, nuanced performances from his cast.
He was a close friend and mentor to Debra Winger. He once threatened to quit Urban Cowboy (1980) because the studio did not want Winger cast in the lead.
In November 1999, the movie theater in Melnitz Hall on the campus of University of California, Los Angeles was named the James Bridges Theater in his honor. Bridges was a faculty member there early in his career.
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Baby Maker
1970
Colossus: The Forbin Project
1970
screenplay
The Flim-Flam Man
1969
TV Movie
The Appaloosa
1966
screenplay
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
TV Series teleplay - 15 episodes, 1963 - 1965 teleplay by - 1 episode, 1964
The Great Adventure
1963
TV Series writer - 1 episode
SineSerye
2007
TV Series story - 1 episode
White Hunter Black Heart
1990
screenplay
The Paper Chase
TV Series developed for television by - 56 episodes, 1978 - 1986 written by - 2 episodes, 1978 developer - 1 episode, 1978
Palimos ng pag-ibig
1986
original story
Perfect
1985
screenplay
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1985
TV Series original teleplay - 1 episode
Mike's Murder
1984
written by
Urban Cowboy
1980
screenplay
The China Syndrome
1979
written by
September 30, 1955
1977
written by
The Paper Chase
1973
screenplay
Carola
1973
TV Movie teleplay
Limbo
1972
When Michael Calls
1972
TV Movie
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Faces
1968/I
Extra (as Jim Bridges)
Tarzan and Jane Regained... Sort of
1964
Lord of the forest
Dragnet
1957-1958
TV Series
Joy Ride
1958
Dirk (as Jim Bridges)
Mackenzie's Raiders
1958
TV Series
Private Lewis
Shirley Temple's Storybook
1958
TV Series
Flight
1958
TV Series
Johnny Trouble
1957
Ike (as Jim Bridges)
Invasion of the Saucer Men
1957
Bobby (as Jim Bridges)
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bright Lights, Big City
1988
Perfect
1985
Mike's Murder
1984
Urban Cowboy
1980
The China Syndrome
1979
September 30, 1955
1977
The Paper Chase
1973
The Baby Maker
1970
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Perfect
1985
producer
Mike's Murder
1984
producer
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The China Syndrome: Creating a Controversy
2004
Video documentary short
Himself (photo)
The 37th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1980
TV Special
Himself
The Making of 'The China Syndrome'
1979
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The Paul Ryan Show
1977
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent
2004
Video documentary short
Himself (photo)
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1980
Marquee
American Movie Awards
Best Screenplay
The China Syndrome (1979)
1980
WGA Award (Screen)
Writers Guild of America, USA
Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen
The China Syndrome (1979)
1966
Edgar
Edgar Allan Poe Awards
Best Episode in a TV Series
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1986
Razzie Award
Razzie Awards
Worst Screenplay
Perfect (1985)
1985
Stinker Award
The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards
Worst Picture
Perfect (1985)
1980
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
The China Syndrome (1979)
1980
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Director - Motion Picture
The China Syndrome (1979)
1980
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
The China Syndrome (1979)
1980
BAFTA Film Award
BAFTA Awards
Best Screenplay
The China Syndrome (1979)
1980
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures
The China Syndrome (1979)
1979
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
The Paper Chase (1978)
1979
Palme d'Or
Cannes Film Festival
The China Syndrome (1979)
1974
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium
The Paper Chase (1973)
1974
WGA Award (Screen)
Writers Guild of America, USA
Best Drama Adapted from Another Medium
The Paper Chase (1973)
1973
Edgar
Edgar Allan Poe Awards
Best Television Feature or Miniseries
When Michael Calls (1972)
1971
Hugo
Hugo Awards
Best Dramatic Presentation
Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)
1964
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama - Adaptation
$18 Million
