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Gary Coleman

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Gary Coleman was a prominent American actor.

Gary Coleman cropped
Gary Coleman cropped

He became a major child star during the late 1970s and 1980s. Coleman was born in Zion, Illinois, on February 8, 1968. He was adopted by W. G. Coleman and Edmonia Sue. Coleman lived with a kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. To treat this condition, he used corticosteroids and other medications. These treatments limited his physical growth. They also caused his face to maintain a childlike appearance into adulthood.

Coleman began his professional career in 1974. He first appeared in a commercial for Harris Bank. In that commercial, he spoke a line about a "Hubert" doll. That same year, he acted in an episode of the show Medical Center. His next significant role was in a 1977 pilot for a revival of The Little Rascals. Although that pilot was not made into a series, it changed his life. An executive saw his performance and cast him in a new sitcom.

On the set of Diff'rent Strokes (39256460980)
On the set of Diff'rent Strokes (39256460980)

In 1978, Coleman began playing Arnold Jackson on the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes. The show followed two Black brothers from Harlem adopted by a wealthy white widower in Manhattan. The series was a massive hit and ran for eight seasons until 1986. Coleman became the highest-paid child actor on television during this era. At his peak, he earned $100,000 per episode. His character became famous for the catchphrase, "What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" This was said in response to his brother, Willis.

His talent earned him many professional accolades.

ColemanSpencerFields80
ColemanSpencerFields80

He won two Young Artist Awards. He won these for Outstanding Contribution to Youth Through Entertainment in 1980 and Best Young Actor in a Comedy Series in 1982. He also won three consecutive People's Choice Awards from 1980 to 1983. VH1 ranked him first on their list of "100 Greatest Kid Stars." Coleman also starred in several successful films. These included the baseball comedy The Kid from Left Field and the motion picture On the Right Track. The latter film grossed $13 million at the box office.

Despite his fame, Coleman faced serious personal and financial struggles. His co-star Todd Bridges noted that Coleman worked long hours despite health problems. These pressures contributed to feelings of depression. Coleman also faced legal battles regarding his money. In 1989, he sued his adoptive parents and a business adviser. He claimed they misappropriated his assets. In 1993, he won a $1.28 million judgment. However, he eventually declared bankruptcy a decade later. He also dealt with issues regarding substance abuse during his life.

As an adult, Coleman's career shifted toward guest appearances. He often played himself on various television programs. He appeared on shows like The Simpsons, The Jeffersons, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He also moved into the world of digital entertainment. In 1997, he provided his voice for the adventure game The Curse of Monkey Island. This was a significant move, as he was one of the first mainstream actors in a video game.

Postal 2 E3 2003
Postal 2 E3 2003

He later portrayed a fictional version of himself in the game Postal 2 in 2003.

Coleman also explored the field of politics. In 2003, he ran as an independent candidate for governor of California. This occurred during the California recall election. His campaign was sponsored by the East Bay Express as a satirical comment. Coleman finished in 8th place out of 135 candidates. He received a total of 14,242 votes. After Arnold Schwarzenegger declared his candidacy, Coleman announced he would vote for him.

Gary Coleman passed away on May 28, 2010. He was 42 years old. He died at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah. Two days earlier, he had fallen down the stairs at his home in Santaquin. This fall caused him to strike his head. The injury resulted in an epidural hematoma, which is a collection of blood around the brain. His life remains a notable chapter in the history of American television.

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File:On the set of Diff'rent Strokes (39256460980).jpg
On the set of Diff'rent Strokes (39256460980).jpg
File:ColemanSpencerFields80.jpg
ColemanSpencerFields80.jpg
File:Postal 2 E3 2003.jpg
Postal 2 E3 2003.jpg
File:Gary Coleman cropped.jpg
Gary Coleman cropped.jpg
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