James Bridges

James McKeen Bridges (February 3, 1936 – June 6, 1993) was an American screenwriter, film director, producer and actor. Bridges spent his childhood in Paris, Arkansas. From 1958, he lived with actor Jack Larson. Spotted by producer Norman Lloyd, Bridges made his screenwriting debut with the telev... More

James McKeen Bridges (February 3, 1936 – June 6, 1993) was an American screenwriter, film director, producer and actor. Bridges spent his childhood in Paris, Arkansas. From 1958, he lived with actor Jack Larson. Spotted by producer Norman Lloyd, Bridges made his screenwriting debut with the television series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. One of the episodes from this series, "An Unlocked Window," earned him the 1966 Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Episode in a Television Series. Simultaneously, Bridges wrote screenplays for several notable films: The Baby Maker, The Graduation Party, September 30, 1955, The China Syndrome, Urban Cowboy, Mike's Murder, Perfect, and The Young and the Restless. Bridges would play Pygmalion for actress Debra Winger.[citation needed] In 1990, he was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. He died at age 57 of liver failure at UCLA Medical Center on June 6, 1993. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in his hometown of Paris, Arkansas.