Martin David Bridge

Known to those that knew and loved him Martin ‘Marty’ David Bridge passed away peacefully on June 10, 2022 after a valiant battle with cancer. Marty was sixty-four years old and a forty year resident of greater Los Angeles, California.

Marty was born in Rapid City, South Dakota and attended Central High School graduating in the class of 1976. Marty participated in school plays (My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, The Man Who Came to Dinner…) throughout his high school years. He also excelled in writing poetry and the fine arts. Marty’s work won contests and was featured in the Rapid City Journal and school publications. Marty had the honor of representing his school at Boys State. Marty’s acting took him off campus to the Black Hills Playhouse where he had leading roles in ‘A Thousand Clowns’ and ‘Strange Bedfellows’. Marty had a wonderful circle of childhood friends that shared his passion for the creative - performance, visual and language arts. In a journal from 1998 Marty wrote about his plans for a trip home to see his beloved Grandma. In his list of things to do in the Black Hills, Marty noted ‘old friends’ - Laura, Scott, Jody, Leslie, Barbara, Gary, Pam K, and Mike P.

After high school, Marty attended American University in Washington, DC, earning his bachelor’s degree in Visual Media. Marty spent many weekends taking the train to New York City to attend clubs during the disco era, including the famed Studio 54. Upon graduation Marty followed his childhood ambition and moved to Los Angeles where he pursued work in the television and film industry. Living the dream in a beachside bungalow in Venice Beach, Marty met the love of his life, Ned Penny. Marty and Ned were creative intellectuals who enjoyed the artsy, vibrant community. Both men took to training at nearby ‘Muscle Beach’, Gold’s and World Gym alongside celebrity bodybuilding greats Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno and others. Marty worked as a creator, writer, and producer for television and a scenic artist and prop master for film. Marty spent many years at NBC where he allegedly held the record for doing 50 pull-ups.

Fueled with an insatiable curiosity for learning and honing his craft, Marty earned his teaching credential in 1992 from Loyola Marymount University followed by a graduate degree in Production Design from esteemed The American Film Institute in 1995. Marty retired as an art, theatre, and literature teacher from the Los Angeles School District. He was always the ‘cool’ teacher and a favorite amongst the students and faculty. Marty took teaching to the next level with ‘out-of-the-box’ concepts for student art exhibits and productions. Marty regularly contributed his own funds to propel these shows to acclaim. Always a generous heart, he regularly hosted baby showers for his inner-city expectant students.

Marty’s mastery in the visual arts - drawing, painting, couture fashion, 3-D art, and photography - was prolific and never ceasing. His language art skills also allowed him to express his creative power in writing screenplays, manuscripts, lyrics and poetry.

Marty was well-read, well-travelled and enjoyed the SoCal lifestyle like a native. He took to skateboarding midlife, and like a teenager, would regularly use it for transportation traveling from one side of town to another on the beach boardwalk. Always the fun uncle, Marty enjoyed taking his nieces and nephews to plays, movies, amusement parks, and the beach. He attended their performances, sporting events, and always helped make every birthday party and school project a mega-hit.

Marty was famed for his grace and artistry - inspiring many students, colleagues and friends. Those who love and celebrate his life will dearly miss the magic and enthusiasm he brought to an ordinary day. His sparkling wittiness was always at the forefront. Marty was a son, brother, nephew, cousin, and uncle. He his survived by his father, Michael Bridge, Sr. (CA), his mother Darlene Anderson (CA), his three siblings, Michael Bridge, Jr. (SD), Melody Bridge (CA), and Mitch Bridge (CA). His adoring nieces and nephews - Ella Bridge (CA), Molly Bridge Schunneman (SD), Matthew Bridge (WY), Anna Bridge (SD), Michael Bridge III (SD), Sydney Bridge (SD), Colin Bridge McLane (CA), Graysen Bridge McLane (CA), Lauren Bridge McLane (CA), Jordan Bridge (CA) and Cooper Bridge (CA).

Til death do us join…