Friday, May 28, 2010

"Diff'rent Strokes" Actor Gary Coleman Dies

Gary Coleman, the 'pint sized' child star of the 1970's sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes", has died.

Coleman who had suffered a brain hemorrhage, died at 12:05 PM MDT today at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, after being removed from life support with family and friends by his side. 

Coleman, who's life and later career on the D-list, was marred by medical and legal problems, including kidney disease (he had two kidney transplants in 1973 and 1974) which stunted his growth and a prolonged estrangement from his parents, played the wise-cracking Arnold Jackson on the '70's hit comedy, alongside child actors Todd Bridges and the late Dana Plato.  He was an immediate break-out star of the series and best known for his catch phrase "What'choo talkin' 'bout?"

After the show ended his stardom faded quickly and his adult life was filled with a lot of ups and downs.  In 1989 at the age of 21, his mother filed a court request trying to gain control of his $6 million fortune.  In 2003 he ran for Governor of California in the recall election that ousted Gray Davis, finishing in eighth place with over 12,000 votes.  He continued to get TV guest shots, small roles and celebrity endorsements but never regained the star status of his childhood.

In 2005 Coleman moved to Utah where he continued to have run-ins with the law, many involving disputes with his wife.  In 2008 he pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge involving an incident with a fan at a bowling alley.

Gary Coleman, who had been hospitalized twice this year after suffering seizures, was born on Feb. 8th, 1968 in Zion, Ill.  He was 42 years old.