Growing Pains: The Tribulations of 1980s Child TV Stars
"Diff'rent Strokes" star is divorcing wife of 14 years
May 30, 2012— -- "Diff'rent Strokes" star Todd Bridges and his wife Dori are splitting after 14 years of marriage.
Bridges broke the news Friday on Twitter, writing, "our lives are going different directions ... we remain good friends."
The couple married in 1998, and Dori most likely kept Bridges on the straight and narrow after years of drug abuse and run-ins with the law. They are parents to 13-year-old Spencir, who followed his father into acting, appearing the 2007 film "Daddy Day Camp" as well as an episode of "iCarly."
"We have a child and we both have his best interests at heart and know this is best for him and us thank you all for understanding," Bridges wrote. About Dori, he said, "She's a great mother I'm glad to have had the years to know her and have a great kid with her as we know, people grow apart and we did."
People can also change, as the once troubled child star knows all too well. After "Diff'rent Strokes" ended in 1986, Bridges struggled with drug addiction and faced criminal charges, including attempted murder of a Los Angeles drug dealer. He was later acquitted, got clean and began rebuilding his career. Now 47, he has appeared on the UPN/CW sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris" and in the reality series "Skating with Celebrities" and "Celebrity Boxing."
Some of his "Diff'rent Strokes" co-stars did not fare as well. Here are their stories and those of other child TV stars from the 1980s.
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