Jacqueline Hazard Bridgeman, acclaimed author of “The Lonely Sky” and co-founder of the Malibu Stage Company, died in Santa Monica on Jan. 27. She was 90.
Born in Los Angeles on June 21, 1924 (the summer solstice), she was the youngest daughter of System Parking mogul Jack Hazard. Growing up, she attended Westlake School for girls and later took a series of exchange graduate courses at Oxford University in England.
Bridgeman met her future husband while writing for the Palisades Post when she interviewed acclaimed American test pilot William Barton Bridgeman, who broke aviation speed and altitude records while working for Douglas Aircraft.
The two developed and co-authored his memoir, “The Lonely Sky,” originally published by Harper and Sons. Critically acclaimed at the time, “The Lonely Sky” became an instant cult classic in aviation circles and today remains one of the favorite works of aviators and devotees of flight everywhere.
Shortly after the release of their book, the two married, eventually settling in Malibu until his fatal plane crash off Catalina Island in 1968.
Widowed with their son Christopher, Bridgeman (and Chris) later purchased Hazard Ranch in Serra Retreat from her father’s estate and continued her interest in literature and patronage of the arts.
In 1990 she personally funded and co-founded the Malibu Stage Company with director and theatre critic Charles Marowitz. During their years working together, the Malibu Stage Company became nationally known, featuring such productions as “Light Up the Sky,” “Candide” and “Death of a Salesman.”
As a philanthropist and patron of arts and literature, she turned Hazard Ranch into something of a cultural center, hosting readings, concerts, symposiums and fundraisers for various charities as well as local causes including Malibu’s Urgent Care Center.
A tireless traveler, she visited nearly every corner of the globe; whether accompanied by her son Christopher, with friends or alone she was always up for an adventure. From the Pyramids of Egypt to the bullrings of Mexico. By Mississippi River Boat, The Orient Express, The Supersonic Concorde or the QE2, no matter what the mode of transportation or where she had been, she always came back with great stories, new friendships and jet lag.
Prior to stepping down from the Malibu Stage Company in 2008, she received a number of awards over the years, including the prestigious Dolphin Award sponsored by The Malibu Times for her contributions to the Malibu community, where she had lived and worked for the last 60 years of her life.
Bridgeman is survived by her grandson, Alex Bridgeman, and daughter-in-law, Lucimari Bridgeman.