Gary Coleman

Lore & Background

Gary Coleman was born in Zion, Illinois, and adopted by W. G. Coleman and Edmonia Sue. Due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and the medications used to treat it, his growth was limited to 4 ft 8 in. He began his career in 1974 with a commercial for Harris Bank and an episode of Medical Center. In 1977, he appeared in a pilot for a revival of The Little Rascals, which led to his casting as Arnold Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes in 1978. The show ran for eight seasons and made him a household name.

During his prime, Coleman was the highest-paid child actor on television, earning $100,000 per episode. He won two Young Artist Awards and three People's Choice Awards for Favorite Young TV Performer. He starred in television films such as The Kid from Left Field, Scout's Honor, The Kid with the Broken Halo, and The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins, and headlined the motion pictures On the Right Track and Jimmy the Kid. He also voiced the lead role in the Saturday morning cartoon The Gary Coleman Show.

After Diff'rent Strokes ended, Coleman struggled to find acting roles and faced financial difficulties. In 1989, he successfully sued his parents and business adviser for misappropriating his assets, but declared bankruptcy a decade later. His later career consisted largely of guest appearances playing himself. Coleman died on May 28, 2010, at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center after falling down stairs and suffering an epidural hematoma.

Reader's Guide

Gary Coleman's significance lies in his status as one of the most prominent child actors of the late 1970s and early 1980s. His portrayal of Arnold Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes made him a cultural icon, and his catchphrase 'What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?' entered the popular lexicon. He was rated first on VH1's list of '100 Greatest Kid Stars' and is considered an influential child actor. His career also highlights the challenges faced by child stars, including financial exploitation and difficulty transitioning to adult roles. Coleman's legal battle against his parents over his trust fund brought attention to the need for protections for child performers. Despite his later struggles, his early work remains a defining part of television history.

Did You Know?

• Coleman was the highest-paid child actor on television throughout the late 1970s and 1980s.
• He won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Young TV Performer four years in a row, from 1980 to 1983.
• Coleman's growth was limited to 4 ft 8 in due to medications used to treat a kidney disease.
• He died in 2010 after falling down stairs and striking his head, resulting in an epidural hematoma.