
Bridgette Andersen
Biography
Born Marriah Bridget Andersen in Inglewood, California to Frank Glass and Teresa Andersen, Bridgette Andersen (as she was known professionally) was raised in Malibu, California, and from an early age, she showed exceptional intelligence. By age two, she decided she wanted to be an actress and eventually began a career as a child model before breaking into acting at age seven in the 1982 TV movie, Washington Mistress. Later that year, Andersen appeared in her most memorable role as the title character in Savannah Smiles, followed by roles in Family Ties, Remington Steele, and as a young Mae West in the TV biopic of the actress' life.
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In 1983, Andersen appeared as Celia in the short lived sitcom Gun Shy, and was also nominated for a Young Artist Award for her role in Savannah Smiles. She followed up with a role in the horror film, Nightmares. She was nominated for a second time for a Young Artist Award for her role in Gun Shy the following year. Throughout the mid-1980s, Andersen continued to appear in episodic television, TV movies and features films, including: A Summer to Remember in 1985, Hotel, Fever Pitch with Ryan O'Neal, The Golden Girls, and The Parent Trap II with Hayley Mills. By 1987, Andersen's roles were infrequent with her only appearances being in an episode of CBS Summer Playhouse and an independent film entitled Too Much. One of Andersen's last roles was a small part in a Pepsi commercial that aired during Super Bowl XXX on January 28, 1996. Shortly before her death, she performed in the independent feature Locker 28. To date, the film remains unreleased. Andersen was reportedly not close to her family and had little contact with them. During her teen years, she struggled with an addiction to heroin, and at the time of her death, was attempting to stay clean while working at Erewhon Health Food Store in Los Angeles, California.On May 18, 1997, Andersen died of an accidental overdose of alcohol and drugs. She was 21 years old. On May 25, 1997, funeral services were held at Malibu United Methodist Church and Andersen's ashes were scattered at Zuma Beach in Malibu, California.
Known for
The Golden GirlsCharley7.6
Family TiesYoung Mallory7.2
Remington SteeleAngel Gallen7.1
NightmaresBrooke Houston (segment "Night of the Rat")5.8
The Parent Trap IIMary Grand5.5
Savannah SmilesSavannah6.5
HotelSeries6.8
Faerie Tale TheatreGretel, Guest Interviewee8.1
Fever PitchAmy
Too MuchSusie
A Summer to RememberJill
Between Two WomenKate Petherton
Filmography
- 1987Too MuchFilm: Susie
- 1986The Parent Trap IIFilm: Mary Grand
- 1986Between Two WomenFilm: Kate Petherton
- 1985Fever PitchFilm: Amy
- 1985The Golden GirlsSeries: Charley (1 episode)
- 1985A Summer to RememberFilm: Jill
- 1984The Return of Marcus Welby, M.D.Film: Alison Lattimer
- 1983Hansel and GretelFilm: Gretel
- 1983NightmaresFilm: Brooke Houston (segment "Night of the Rat")
- 1983Gun ShySeries: Celia (6 episodes)
- 1982Remington SteeleSeries: Angel Gallen (1 episode)
- 1982Family TiesSeries: Young Mallory (1 episode)
- 1982Faerie Tale TheatreSeries: Gretel, Guest Interviewee (1 episode)
- 1982HotelSeries (1 episode)
- 1982Mae WestFilm: Mae, age 7
- 1982Savannah SmilesFilm: Savannah
- 1982Washington MistressFilm: Jenny
Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.