# James Bridges

James Bridges (February 3, 1936 – June 6, 1993) was an American screenwriter, film director, producer, and actor. He is a two-time Oscar nominee: once for Best Original Screenplay for The China Syndrome and once for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Paper Chase.

## Life and career

Bridges was born February 3, 1936, in Little Rock, Arkansas and grew up in Paris, Arkansas. His mother was Celestine Wiggins, his sister was Mary Ann Wiggins, and his life partner from 1958 until his death was actor, librettist, screenwriter, and producer Jack Larson. Bridges 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; Mike's Murder; Perfect; and Bright Lights, Big City. Bridges was a mentor to actress Debra Winger.

## Death

In 1990, Bridges was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. He died of kidney failure at the UCLA Medical Center on June 6, 1993, at 57 years old. He was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in his hometown of Paris, Arkansas.
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.

## Filmography

Film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
| 1966 | The Appaloosa | | Yes | |
| 1970 | Colossus: The Forbin Project | | Yes | |
| 1970 | The Baby Maker | Yes | Yes | |
| 1972 | Limbo | | Yes | |
| 1973 | The Paper Chase | Yes | Yes | |
| 1977 | September 30, 1955 | Yes | Yes | |
| 1979 | The China Syndrome | Yes | Yes | |
| 1980 | Urban Cowboy | Yes | Yes | |
| 1984 | Mike's Murder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1985 | Perfect | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1986 | Palimos ng pag-ibig | | Yes | |
| 1988 | Bright Lights, Big City | Yes | | |
| 1990 | White Hunter Black Heart | | Yes | |
TV writer
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1963 | The Great Adventure | Episode "Go Down, Moses" |
| 1963–1965 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Episodes:"A Tangled Web""The Star Juror""Death and the Joyful Woman""Dear Uncle George""Run for Doom""The Cadaver""The Jar""Murder Case""Beast in View""The Gentleman Caller""Bed of Roses""Return of Verge Likens""Where the Woodbine Twineth""An Unlocked Window""Death Scene""Power of Attorney" |
| 1969 | The Flim-Flam Man | TV movie |
| 1972 | When Michael Calls | TV movie |
| 1973 | Carola | TV movie |
| 1985 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Episode "An Unlocked Window" |
| 1978–1986 | The Paper Chase | Episodes "The Paper Chase" and "The Seating Chart" |
| 2007 | SineSerye | Episode "Palimos ng pag-ibig" |
Acting roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1957 | Invasion of the Saucer Men | Bobby | |
| 1957 | Johnny Trouble | Ike | |
| 1957–1958 | Dragnet | Unnamed | Episodes "The Big License Plates" and "The Big Hype" |
| 1958 | Mackenzie's Raiders | Private Lewis | Episode "Mackenzie's Raiders" |
| 1958 | Flight | Unnamed | Episode "Experiment Oxygen" |
| 1958 | Shirley Temple's Storybook | Unnamed | Episode "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" |
| 1958 | Joy Ride | Dirk | |
| 1964 | Tarzan And Jane Regained... Sort Of | Lord of the forest | |
| 1968 | Faces | Extra | |