What was Lloyd Bridges’ Net Worth?

Lloyd Bridges, an American actor, had a net worth of $15 million at the time of his death in 1998, at the age of 85. He starred in over 150 feature films and classic television shows during his career and is best known as the father of actors Jeff Bridges and Beau Bridges. However, he will forever be remembered as Mike Nelson, the square-jawed frogman star of the underwater adventure series, “Sea Hunt”.

Lloyd Bridges Early Life

Lloyd Bridges was born on January 15, 1913 in San Leandro, California. He attended Petaluma High School and graduated in 1930. Bridges enrolled at UCLA where he studied political science and joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Bridges’ parents were Lloyd Vernet Bridges Sr. and Harriet Evelyn Bridges, both of whom were born in Kansas. His father worked in the hotel business in California and at one time owned a movie theater.

Lloyd Bridges’ Career Highlights

Lloyd Bridges began auditioning for theater and film roles in the 1930s, making his Broadway debut in 1937. He joined Columbia Pictures in 1940, earning $75 per week playing small roles in features. After enlisting in the United States Coast Guard during World War II, he returned to acting and landed supporting roles throughout 1945 and 1946 before beginning to land leading roles in the late 1940s.

In the 1950s, Bridges was briefly blacklisted but recanted his membership to the Actors’ Laboratory Theatre, which enabled him to continue acting. He gained more widespread attention when he landed the role of Mike Nelson in the television series “Sea Hunt” which ran from 1958 until 1961. Throughout the early and mid-1970s, Bridges was in high demand for television film roles, starring in several miniseries like “Roots” and “How the West Was Won.”

In 1980, Bridges landed a role in “Airplane!” which went on to be one of his most successful films. He continued appearing in films and television throughout the 1980s, including roles in “Weekend Warriors” and “Cousins.” His last roles were in “Mafia!” in 1998 and “Meeting Daddy” in 2000.

Lloyd Bridges’ Personal Life and Legacy

Lloyd Bridges met and married his wife Dorothy while in college. They had four children, including actors Beau and Jeff Bridges, and tragically lost their son Garrett to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. On their 50th wedding anniversary, they renewed their vows. Bridges passed away in 1998 at the age of 85 from natural causes. He was posthumously awarded the Lone Sailor Award in 2011, an honor also received by his sons Beau and Jeff for their service in the Coast Guard.

Lloyd Bridges’ Malibu Home

In the 1950s, Lloyd and Dorothy Bridges purchased an oceanfront home in Malibu for a small amount of money, which is now worth between $4-6 million. After Lloyd’s death, their children, Jeff, Beau, and their sister inherited the property and rent it out for $16,000 per month. The siblings only pay $5,700 a year in property taxes due to California’s Proposition 13 tax law.

You May Also Like