Jimmy Bridges (1936 - 1993)

Born 3 Feb 1936 in Paris, Logan, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Died 6 Jun 1993 at age 57 in Westwood, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States

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Biography

James Bridges is Notable.

Jimmy "James" Mac Bridges is notable for his multifaceted contributions to the entertainment industry. Beginning with bit parts in television series in the 1950s, he evolved into a prolific writer and director, leaving an enduring mark on film and television. His directorial debut with the stage play "The Candied House" marked the start of a successful career. Notably, Bridges wrote and directed impactful films such as The Paper Chase, 9/30/55, and The China Syndrome, earning him an Oscar nomination. His collaboration on Urban Cowboy showcased his versatility, drawing inspiration from contemporary culture. With a career in acting, writing, and directing, Jimmy Mac Bridges is a versatile and influential figure in the cinematic landscape.^[1][2]

Jimmy "James" Mac Bridges, born on February 3, 1936, in Paris, Logan County, Arkansas, emerged into the world as the son of Doy Eugene Bridges and Mary Celestine (McKeen) Bridges.^[3][4] In the 1940s, after his parents' divorce^[5], young Jimmy, known by the nickname "Jim Mac," lived in Paris with his mother and her grandparents.^[6]

By 1950, Jimmy's family dynamic had changed, with his mother remarried to Melvin F. Wiggins, and they lived together in Paris, Logan County, Arkansas.^[7] In pursuit of his dreams, Jimmy ventured to Hollywood, California, in the 1950s, where he secured bit parts in television series such as Dragnet and Matinee Theater.^[3][4]

His talents extended beyond acting, as he later wrote eighteen scripts for Alfred Hitchcock Presents, earning acclaim for The Unlock Window and a Mystery Writer award. In 1966, he made his directorial debut with the stage play The Candied House, written by his longtime companion Jack Edward Larson.^[3][4]

James' foray into filmmaking began in 1970 with The Babymaker, and gained widespread recognition with the 1973 movie The Paper Chase, both written and directed by him. In 1977, he created 9/30/55, exploring the impact of James Dean's death on a small Arkansas town.^[3][4]

Tennessee Williams selected Jimmy in 1977 to stage a 25th-anniversary revival of A Streetcar Named Desire. Collaborating with writer Aaron Latham in 1978, he co-wrote Urban Cowboy, inspired by Latham's Esquire article on city-dwelling cowboys.^[3][4]

In 1979, Jimmy reached new heights with The China Syndrome, a film addressing a nuclear plant accident, which coincidentally released around the Three Mile Island incident. The movie, featuring Jane Fonda, John Lemmon, and Michael Douglas, earned Jimmy an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay.^[3][4]

His final directorial work was Bright Lights, Big City, starring Michael J. Fox. Unfortunately, Jimmy "James" Mac Bridges succumbed to intestinal cancer on June 6, 1993, at UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, Los Angeles County, California. His legacy endures as a versatile and accomplished figure in both television and film, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.^[3][4] He was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Paris, Logan County, Arkansas.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors. James Bridges. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. December 21, 2023, 02:49 UTC. Available at: "James Bridges." Accessed January 25, 2024.
2. ↑ Hendricks, Nancy, Arkansas State University, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, last updated on 20 Dec 2023. "James Bridges (1936–1993)." Accessed 25 Jan 2024.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6} James Bridges, writer-director of'China Syndrom', South Florida Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 8 Jun 1993, Tue. - Page 15. Newspapers Clip: 139517967, Accessed 25 Jan 2024.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6} James Bridges, 'Urban Cowboy' writer, Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, 7 Jun 1993, Mon. - Page 111. Newspapers Clip: 139517249, Accessed 25 Jan 2024.
5. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Paris, Logan, Arkansas; Roll: m-t0627-00151; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 42-29 Ancestry Record 2442 #101230847
6. ↑ Tonguette, Peter. The Films of James Bridges. United States: McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2014. "The Films of James Bridges." Accessed 25 Jan 2024.
7. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Paris, Logan, Arkansas; Roll: 1470; Page: 71; Enumeration District: 42-30 Ancestry Record 62308 #30904664
8. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6844840/james-bridges: accessed 25 January 2024), memorial page for James Bridges (3 Feb 1936–6 Jun 1993), Find A Grave: Memorial #6844840, citing Oakwood Cemetery, Paris, Logan County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q977453