Gary Coleman’s Sudden Death

Gary Coleman, who was the star of the 1970s sit-com, “Different Strokes” died today at age 42, after suffering a brain hemorrhage two days ago. Gary Coleman played Arnold Jackson on the show, which revolved around the Drummond household in Manhattan.

Conrad Bain played Phillip Drummond a wealthy widower who had a daughter, Kimberly, played by Dana Plato. Coleman and Todd Bridges played two African American brothers adopted by Drummond.

Todd Bridges’ name was Willis in the series. Coleman’s character often asked his brother, “What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis” which added to the show’s popularity and became a famous catchphrase.

All of the child stars of “Different Strokes” ran into trouble in later life after the series ended.

Dana Plato appeared in Playboy and softcore porn. Her addiction problems led her to resort to crime and she was arrested, once for armed robbery, trying to hold up a dry cleaners if we remember correctly, and a second time for forging a Valium prescription. She died at age 34 from a drug overdose in 1999.

Todd Bridges ran into legal trouble in 1994 after he allegedly rammed into the car of someone he was having an argument with. He also had a drug problem, but turned his life around and became an anti-drug spokesman.

Coleman had to sue his parents and manager for robbing him blind. He was awarded over a million dollars but ended up filing for bankruptcy 10 years later. In 1998, he was charged with assaulting a woman at a shopping mall where he was working as a security guard.

Coleman married 22 year old Shannon Price on August 28, 2007. They appeared on TV’s Divorce Court less than a year later to tell their problems to Judge Lynn Toler. They weren’t trying to get a divorce, they were trying to stay married.

The 4′ 8″ Coleman had other medical problems earlier this year when he suffered a seizure on the set of The Insider on February 26, 2010. Dr. Drew Pinsky was on hand to help him out and call the paramedics.

The intracranial hemorrhage that resulted in Coleman’s death was sustained in a fall.

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Tags: dana, gary, r.i.p., todd, TV