Known for movies

Short Info

DiedSeptember 29, 1998, Los Angeles, California, United States
SpouseEthel Arnold
FactMayor of Los Angeles, California (1973-1993)


Tom Bradley was born in LaGrange, Georgia, on July 28, 1930, the son of a sharecropper. He was one of eight children. Bradley began working in the fields at an early age. He attended a segregated high school, where he was an outstanding athlete. Bradley excelled in track and field, and was offered a scholarship to the University of Georgia. However, he was not allowed to attend because of the school’s segregation policy. Bradley then attended LaGrange College, where he played football and ran track. After graduating from college, Bradley joined the U.S. Army, where he served for two years.

Bradley began his law enforcement career in 1954, when he joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). He quickly rose through the ranks, and was appointed police chief in 1972. Bradley is credited with modernizing the LAPD, and making it one of the most respected police departments in the country. He served as police chief for 20 years, before retiring in 1992.

During his tenure as police chief, Bradley was involved in some controversial incidents. In 1979, he was accused of using excessive force during a police raid on the Black Panther Party headquarters. The raid resulted in the death of one Panther member and the wounding of another. The incident sparked a nationwide debate on police brutality.

In 1992, Bradley ran for mayor of Los Angeles. He won the election, and became the city’s first African American mayor. He served as mayor for two terms, before being term-limited out of office in 2001.

After leaving office, Bradley retired from public life. He died on September 29, 1998, at the age of 68.

Bradley was a highly respected law enforcement officer and politician. He was a trailblazer for African Americans, and helped to break down racial barriers in Los Angeles and across the country.

General Info

Full NameTom Bradley
DiedSeptember 29, 1998, Los Angeles, California, United States
ProfessionLawyer, Politician
EducationSouthwestern University, Southwestern Law School, University of California, Los Angeles
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseEthel Arnold
ChildrenLorraine Bradley, Phyllis Bradley
ParentsLee Thomas Bradley, Crenner Bradley
SiblingsEllis Bradley, Howard Bradley, Lawrence Bradley, Willa Mae Bradley

Social profile links

Facts

#Fact
1He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
2Mayor of Los Angeles, California (1973-1993)

Movies

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Into the Night1985thanks - as Mayor Tom Bradley

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Nick of Time1995Himself
Alien Nation: Dark Horizon1994TV MovieHimself - Leaving Hospital (uncredited)
City of Angels1992ShortHimself
22nd NAACP Image Awards1990TV SpecialHimself
It's Garry Shandling's Show.1988TV SeriesHimself
60 Minutes1987TV Series documentaryHimself
The 1th Annual Commitment to Life Awards1985TV SpecialHimself
Late Night with David Letterman1985TV SeriesHimself
Salute!1983TV SeriesHimself
The 4th Annual Black Achievement Awards1983TV SpecialHimself (as Mayor Tom Bradley)
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Fred Astaire1981TV Movie documentaryHimself (uncredited)
The 1st Annual Black Achievement Awards1978TV SpecialHimself (as Mayor Tom Bradley)
The Mike Douglas Show1978TV SeriesHimself - LA Mayor
Grease Day USA1978TV Movie documentaryHimself (as Mayor Tom Bradley)
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Henry Fonda1978TV Special documentaryHimself (uncredited)
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to James Cagney1974TV Special documentaryHimself (uncredited)
Soul Train1973TV Series documentaryGuest
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1973TV SeriesHimself
Freedom Spectacular1964TV MovieHimself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Bridging the Divide: Tom Bradley and the Politics of Race2015TV Movie documentaryHimself
N.W.A.: The World's Most Dangerous Group2008TV Movie documentaryHimself
Playboy: The Party Continues2000TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Sweet Science1999TV Series documentaryHimself
The Making of 'Black Mayors'1986TV Special documentaryHimself

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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