Local News in Brief : Television Actor Pleads No Contest in Threat

Actor Todd Anthony Bridges of the television series “Diff’rent Strokes” pleaded no contest Thursday to a felony charge of making a bomb threat against a Van Nuys businessman hired to make alterations on his car.

Bridges, 20, of Northridge, entered the plea before San Fernando Superior Court Judge Robert D. Fratianne. He faces up to two years in County Jail, Deputy Dist. Atty. John K. Spillane said.

The businessman, Greg Tyree, alleged that Bridges threatened him March 21 and March 26 over a payment dispute involving paint and interior work done on the actor’s Porsche. Bridges, who played Willis Jackson on the recently canceled show, has denied that he made the threats.

Bridges was scheduled for a preliminary hearing today on three felony charges of possessing explosives with the intent to injure or intimidate. Bridges, who was arrested March 28, remains free on $5,000 bail. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 11.

In 1983, Bridges was arrested by Beverly Hills police for carrying a loaded, concealed .45-caliber handgun in his car. He pleaded guilty and was fined $240 and placed on one year’s probation.

Bridges said at the time that he carried the weapon because of threats from people who identified themselves as members of the Ku Klux Klan.