the forgotten ones

Gary Coleman- Diff’rent Strokes

Gary Coleman was best known for playing Arnold, the lovable little guy on Diff’rent Strokes, which aired from 1978-86, and for coining the catchphrase, “whatchyoo talkin bout, Willis?”   The show chronicled the lives of a rich old white dude who adopted two young black brothers from a disadvantaged background.  (The show has not aged well and has been described by modern commentators as somewhat racist.)

Coleman was notable for his short stature and childlike appearance, which was due to the congenital kidney disease from which he suffered, undergoing two kidney transplants and endless rounds of dialysis.  At the height of his career, he earned $100,000 an episode on Diff’rent Strokes, but sadly, he didn’t see much of this money.  In 1989, Coleman sued his parents and manager for what he claimed was financial mismanagement.  And in 1999, he filed for bankruptcy.  Coleman also had trouble with the law; he was arrested several times for domestic violence as well as assault and disorderly conduct.  He died at age 42 after suffering a brain hemorrhage as a result of a fall.