Bindi Irwin's secret Hollywood dad

The effervescent young actress and eco warrior has found an unlikely ‘second dad’ – movie star Beau Bridges.

The unlikely friends met through film, but it was their shared love of wildlife that really cemented the bond. And like Bindi’s dad Steve Irwin, Beau’s father, actor Lloyd Bridges, was also a keen conservationist.

The link between 69-year-old Beau and 12-year-old Bindi is so strong, the young Aussie sees the Bridges clan as a second family. “Beau is just wonderful and has become such a great mentor to Bindi and such a great friend,” mum Terri reveals on this week’s episode of This Is Your Life.

Beau and his family have made the long haul from Hollywood to celebrate the friendship between their families. Beau met Bindi on the set of Free Willy: Escape From Pirate’s Cove in South Africa. He provided support and friendship to the youngster and her mum, who’s raised Bindi and Robert, 7, alone since Steve’s death in 2006.

“My first impression of Terri was as a mom – the mom of the leading actress of our movie. Bindi had a big responsibility,” recalls Beau. “Terri was right there every step of the way making sure that the workplace was a safe one and a happy one so that Bin could do the best job possible.”