If you’re a fan of Good Times — and, of course, you are! — you’ll remember the episode from Season 2 called The Nude, where J.J. is commissioned to paint a portrait of Charlene Brooks, a neighboring tenant known as “The Wiggler.” The actress playing Charlene was Betty Bridges, who enjoyed a 40-year film and television career; her appearance on Good Times was one of her first.

A native of Dallas, Betty was the mother of three children, including actor Todd Bridges, who started his career as a child actor and shot to superstardom with his role on the popular television series Diff’rent Strokes.

I’m sad to share that Betty Bridges died on August 27, 2024, at Todd’s home in Phoenix, where she had been in hospice care. She was 83 years old.

After appearing on Good Times, Betty was seen on a wide variety of productions; she was seen in the 1998 film A Night at the Roxbury and her many small screen credits included Charlie’s Angels, NYPD Blue, Beverly Hills 90210, and Sister, Sister, as well as two appearances on Diff’rent Strokes. Her last performance was in 2014, on the comedy series Two Broke Girls.

My earnest condolences to the Bridges family. Betty’s appearance on Good Times was a standout. She won’t be forgotten.