RIP Gary Coleman a tribute
Former child star Gary Coleman, who is best known for his role as Arnold on Diff’rent Strokes, died as the result of a brain hemorrhage Friday afternoon, May 28, the actor fell ill at his Utah home Wednesday evening and was rushed to a hospital, family members and close friends were at Coleman's side when he as taken off life support on Friday morning. Gary's wife Shannon Price, who he married in 2007, made the decision to pull the life support, at the time of his death, Coleman was seeking a divorce.
Coleman also found himself with little money, after making more than $70,000 an episode at “Diff’rent Strokes’ ” peak. Upon turning 18, he looked into his finances and discovered that his fortune, which should have been put in a trust fund and totaled in the millions, was mostly nonexistent. At one point in the ’90s he ended up as a security guard on a movie set, he declared bankruptcy and was down to $100 cash, and a few thousand in merchandise. In the past 10 years, he struggled financially and with the law, poor guy.
Probably most of my flist is not familiar but, in the late 70s and early 80s, Coleman was one of television’s brightest child stars adored by millions, and broke the color barrier, not many black actors were given the spot light back then, below a look back at his childhood acting career.
Gary Coleman, who rose to fame as the wisecracking youngster Arnold Jackson on the TV sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes” but grew up to grapple with a troubled adulthood. NBC’s “Diff'rent Strokes” debuted 1978 is the story of two inner-city black children who were taken in by a wealthy white businessman, his daughter and their housekeeper.
Ironically the sister played by actress Dana Plato, died of an overdose years ago, she was was arrested numerous times for theft and drug abuse, also the brother played by actor Todd Bridges has struggled with drugs during his adulthood and was arrested numerous times, Coleman himself has had several brushes with the law, this show seems to be another statistic of child stars not being able to make it as adult actors or adjust to a normal life.
Gary Coleman and the show has been among big stars of that era.
Janet Jackson guest starred on Diff'rent Strokes as Willis love interest lol.
Listed to Janet sing and dance, the quality not so great
but its viewable, she is sooo cute!!
Click to viewGary and Lucille Ball
Gary and Sammy Davis Jr.
Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali Guest Star on the show
First Lady Nancy Reagan A Guest Star on the show
Gary and Mr. T
Gary and Soliel, aka Punky Brewster!! did any of you watch that?
He even met President Obama, lol.
Some tributes from around the world
TV Guide Covers
He even had a Cartoon, which was based on his TV Movie, "The Boy With The Broken Halo
RIP Gary Coleman 1968-2010
Sources: google, people magazine and youtube