Friday May 28, 2010 2:26 pm
Gary Coleman Dead at Age 42
Gary Coleman, the former child star best known for playing Arnold Jackson Diff’rent Strokes, died today in a Utah hospital. He was 42.
The actor’s passing comes only two days after falling and hitting his head at home. He was eventually transferred to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center for bleeding in his brain. Despite initially being conscious and lucid, he quickly slipped into a coma was listed in critical condition.
TMZ reports that Coleman’s wife, Shannon Price, made the decision this morning to take Gary off life support.
Read More | People
The 4’8” actor, who will fondly be remembered for the catchphrase “Whatchu talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?,” had lived with medical problems his entire life. Kidney defects resulted in two transplants before the age of 14 and the stunting of his growth. His condition, though, did not keep him for making a name for himself at an early age.
Life after Diff’rent Strokes ended in 1986 was unfortunately not as promising for Coleman. Gary’s talent was later overshadowed by a host of personal dramas including a lawsuit against his parents, bankruptcy, suicide attempts, domestic violence and drug abuse. He even made a run for governor of California during the 2003 recall election.
In a 1979 interview with People magazine, Conrad Bain (who played Philip Drummond on Strokes) said the then 11-year-old costar was a joy to work with. “I don’t blame anyone for thinking that working with kids can be unpleasant,” Bain said. “But Gary is exceptional, and not only by the standards set for children. He’s bright, sweet and affectionate. He seems incapable of a wrong reading, and I’ve never seen that in any actor.”
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