Bridgette Andersen facts for kids

Bridgette Andersen (July 11, 1975 – 1997) was an American child actress and model. She became well-known for her role in the 1982 movie Savannah Smiles. For this film, she received her first of four nominations for the Youth in Film Award.

About Bridgette

Bridgette Andersen was born on July 11, 1975. Her parents were Frank and Teresa Andersen. By 1982, she lived in Malibu, California. She lived there with her parents, her younger sister Angelica, and her two brothers. Her sister Angelica also appeared in TV ads as a baby.

Bridgette was a very bright child. She started reading when she was only two and a half years old. Reports said she had a very high IQ at age six. Her favorite author was Ernest Hemingway. She especially loved his book The Old Man and the Sea. She enjoyed TV shows like Diff'rent Strokes and Silver Spoons. These shows inspired her to become an actress. She also hoped to produce and direct movies one day.

Her Acting Career

Bridgette Andersen started acting at a very young age. She shared a funny story on Johnny Carson's show in 1983. When she was two, she tried to climb into the TV. She wanted to play with the characters from Our Gang (also known as "The Little Rascals"). Her father explained to her about actors and acting. After that, she found a talent agent and began her career.

She spent three years working as a fashion model. She also appeared in many television advertisements. Bridgette acted in TV shows too. These included King's Crossing and Washington Mistress.

Starring in Savannah Smiles

In 1982, Bridgette got a big role. She starred as Savannah Driscoll in the movie Savannah Smiles. The writer and co-star, Mark Miller, wrote the part for his own daughter, Savannah Miller. But by the time the movie was ready, his daughter was too old. She was eleven years old then.

So, Mark Miller auditioned almost 150 children. He finally chose Bridgette Andersen for the role. Bridgette felt a strong connection to her character. She said that she and Savannah Driscoll were "like twins!" They did the same things. Just three months after Savannah Smiles came out, Mark Miller was already writing another script for Bridgette.

Other Roles and Nominations

In 1982, Bridgette also played a young Mae West. This was in the TV movie about Mae West's life. Bridgette said she liked working on films more than TV shows. Films gave her more interesting things to do.

She was nominated for a Youth in Film Award again. This was for her role in The Mississippi in 1983–84. She was nominated for "Best Young Actress - Guest in a Television Series." Bridgette also starred in the TV show Gun Shy. In this show, she played Celia. Celia was one of two children won in a card game.

As Bridgette got older, finding acting jobs became harder for her.

Film and TV Appearances

Bridgette Andersen appeared in several films and television shows. Here are some of her notable roles:

• Savannah Smiles (1982) as Savannah Driscoll
• Nightmares (1983) as Brooke Houston
• A Summer to Remember (1985) as Jill
• Fever Pitch (1985) as Amy Taggart
• Too Much (1987) as Suzy

Her television work included:

• Washington Mistress (1982) as Jenny Reynolds
• King's Crossing (1982)
• Mae West (1982) as Mae West (age six)
• Gun Shy (1983) as Celia
• Faerie Tale Theatre (1983) as Gretel in the "Hansel and Gretel" episode
• Remington Steele (1984) as Angel in the "Blood Is Thicker Than Steele" episode
• The Return of Marcus Welby, M.D. (1984) as Alison Lattimer
• Golden Girls, TheThe Golden Girls (1986) as Charley in the "The Truth Will Out" episode
• Between Two Women (1986) as Kate Petherton
• Parent Trap II, TheThe Parent Trap II (1986) as Mary Grand
• CBS Summer Playhouse (1987) as Jamie Wilde in the "Doctors Wilde" episode

Awards and Recognition

Bridgette Andersen was nominated for the Youth in Film Awards multiple times:

• In 1981–82, she was nominated for "Best Young Motion Picture Actress" for Savannah Smiles.
• In 1982–83, she was nominated for "Best Young Actress in a Comedy Series" for Gun Shy.
• In 1983–84, she was nominated for "Best Young Actress - Guest in a Television Series" for The Mississippi.
• In 1984–85, she was nominated for "Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress in a Television Special or Mini-Series" for A Summer to Remember.