Gary Coleman has died at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. The 42 year old actor suffered a brain hemorrhage after he hurt his head Wednesday when he fell in his Utah home. His wife was by his side.
Gary Coleman was born in Zion, Illinois. He was adopted by Edmonia Sue, a nurse practitioner, and W.G. Coleman, a fork-lift operator from birth Coleman suffered from a congenital kidney disease which altered his growth. He has undergone two kidney transplants, one in 1973 and one in 1984, and requires daily dialysis. At the age of ten Coleman began his acting career appearing on hit television shows such as The Jeffersons and on Good Times.
Coleman got his big break in the television show Different Strokes where he played a young man adopted by a rich widower, the characters name was Arnold Jackson and his famous catch phrase was ‘What’choo talkin’ ’bout, Willis?’ referring to his co-star Todd Bridges who also played his brother on the show Willis Jackson. At the height of ‘Different Stokes’ Coleman was reportedly making $100,000 an episode.
Coleman’s life became a downward spiral when he sued his parents and financial advisors for misappropriation of his funds.
As the years went on Coleman’s life went in many directions, legal troubles, assault, domestic disputes and disorderly conduct cases controlled Coleman’s life.
In his later years Coleman became a security guard in a California Mall and even ran for Governer of California.
His life was filled with ups and downs but he made his mark in television history and he will never be forgotten.
CLICK NEXT TO SEE GARY’S FRIENDS WISHING HIM A FAREWELL
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Charlotte Rae ‘I said a prayer for him this morning after hearing about his condition. Gary was so loving, so charming. He was the big star of the show…He was the reason the show was a hit.’
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