Some lead-based crystals show excellent ferroelectric, piezoelectric or scintillation properties and have attracted much attention in recent years. However, the erosion of the high temperature solution on platinum crucible and the evaporation of PbO component are the main problems often encountered during the crystal growth. In this paper, we reported recent progress on the Bridgman growth of lead-based functional crystals, such as novel relaxor ferroelectric crystals (PZNT and PMNT), scintillation crystals $(PbWO_4,;PbF_2;and;PbClF)$ and piezoelectric crystals $(Pb_5Ge_3O_{11};and;Pb_2KNb_5O_{15}),$ in Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The vertical Bridgman method has been modified to grow PZNT crystals from high temperature solution and as-grown crystals have been characterized. Large size lead-based scintillators, $PbWO_4;and;PbF_2$ crystals, have been mass-produced by the vertical Bridgman method in the multi-crucible fumace. These crystals have been supplied to CERN and other laboratories for high-energy physics experiments. The Bridgman growth of piezoelectric crystals $Pb_5Ge_3O_{11};and;Pb_2KNb_5O_{15}$ are discussed also.