Bridgette Andersen

Bridgette Andersen Image Info: Bridgette Andersen at 1997 (Before Death) Birthname: Marriah Bridgette Andersen Born July 11'1975 Birth Place Inglewood, California Death Date May 18'1997 Death Place Los Angeles, California occupation Actress Years Active (Acting Only) 1982–1993 Bridgette Andersen (July 11, 1975 – May 18, 1997) was an American child actress best known for her part in the title role of the 1982 comedy Savannah Smiles. Early life and career 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. 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. Death 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. Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1982 Washington Mistress Jenny Television movie 1982 King's Crossing Mimi Hadary Episode: "Triangle" 1982 Mae West Mae (Age 7) Television movie 1982 Savannah Smiles Savannah 1982 Family Ties Young Mallory Episode: "A Christmas Story" 1983 Gun Shy Celia 6 episodes 1983 Nightmares Brooke Houston Segment: "Night of the Rat" 1983 Fantasy Island Episode: "Random Choices/My Mother, the Swinger" 1983 Faerie Tale Theatre Gretel Episode: "Hansel and Gretel" 1984 Remington Steele Angel Gallen Episode: "Blood Is Thicker Than Steele" 1984 The Mississippi Abagail Marshall Episode: "Abigail" 1984 The Return of Marcus Welby, M.D. Television movie 1985 A Summer to Remember Jill Television movie 1985 Hotel Lindsay Pomeroy Episode: "Lost and Found" 1985 Fever Pitch Amy 1986 The Golden Girls Charley Episode: "The Truth Will Out" 1986 Between Two Women Kate Petherton Television movie 1986 The Parent Trap II Mary Grand Television movie 1987 Too Much Susie 1987 CBS Summer Playhouse Jamie Episode: "Doctors Wilde" 1993 Beverly Hills, 90210 High School Newspaper Journalist Episode: "Something in the Air" Award nominations Year Award Category Title of work Result 1983 Young Artist Award Best Young Motion Picture Actress Savannah Smiles Nominated 1984 Young Artist Award Best Young Actress in a Comedy Series Gun Shy Nominated 1985 Young Artist Award Best Young Actress - Guest in a Television Series The Mississippi Nominated 1986 Young Artist Award Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress in a Television Special or Mini-Series A Summer to Remember Nominated Best Movie Savannah Smiles Savannah Smiles is the film centers around a seven-year-old girl named Savannah (Andersen), whose father is running for the United States Senate. Savannah's parents pay no attention to her, so she decides to run away. Although she left a note, her father burned it, so it would not hurt his chances of winning. When her aunt picks her up and they go to the park, Savannah switches cars and ends up with two escaped (and incompetent) convicts (Miller and Scott). The convicts take her in and soon discover there is a $100,000 reward for her safe return. But the robbers grow close to her, and Savannah finds the love and attention she always wanted. The convicts arrange to return her, with the help of the family priest (Morita), but she becomes lost in the mountains. The convicts refuse the opportunity to escape in order to search for her and bring her back safely, ultimately surrendering to the priest and the police. External links IMDb Profile Bridgette Andersen Resting Place AllRovi Full Information NAME: Andersen, Bridgette ALTERNATIVE NAMES: Andersen, Marriah Bridgette SHORT DESCRIPTION: Actress DATE OF BIRTH: July 11, 1975 PLACE OF BIRTH: Inglewood, California, U.S. DATE OF DEATH: May 18, 1997 PLACE OF DEATH: Los Angeles, California, U.S.