PROVO, Utah – Gary Coleman, the child star of the smash 1970s TV sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes" whose later career was marred by medical and legal problems, has died after suffering an intercranial hemorrhage. He was 42.
Utah Valley Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Janet Frank says life support was terminated and Coleman died at 12:05 p.m. MDT.
Coleman, with his sparkling eyes and perfect comic timing, became a star after "Diff'rent Strokes" debuted in 1978. He played the younger brother in a pair of African-American siblings adopted by a wealthy white man.
His popularity faded when the show ended after six seasons on NBC and two on ABC.
He suffered continuing ill health from the kidney disease that stunted his growth and had a host of legal problems in recent years. Posted by MrSoleLvr (Member # 21192) on :
Yes just heard, his health had been failing him the last few years...RIP indeed Gary....
Posted by FootLongSub Zero (Member # 19380) on :
"Now The World Don't Move, to the beat of just one drum....."
The last time I saw Coleman was on that reality show with Rob Van Winkle aka Vanilla Ice. They had this fundraiser challenge in some restaurant and Willis (Todd Bridges) walks in the place, and sits to dine.
Vanilla wanted Coleman to say the famous line to Willis, but Coleman was in such a rant and bad-tempered mood that he said "NO"!!! and walked away. Vanilla went after Coleman and picked him up. With Coleman kicking and swearing away, Vanilla puts him down in front of Willis and sez "Come On, Every One Wants You Just To Say It Once".... Furious Coleman leaves the building and catches a cab home pissed-off
Anyhoo, I remeber watching different strokes and he was always the life of the show.
May he Rest In Piece.
Posted by Toetapper (Member # 6473) on :
As I dodder here on my cane and stroke my wizened beard, I recall, while "Different Strokes" was regularly aired, a news program (like "60 Minutes" but not that one) that discussed Coleman's hereditary problems. At the time he was given only a limited life expectancy - maybe 30-35 years. News programs, being what they are, the one I saw may have been wildly inaccurate. Still, that always stuck with me and every time I saw him from the late 90's on, all I could think was: "Borrowed time, man, borrowed time".
Nevertheless, sorry to see him go.
Posted by Diabolicus (Member # 7743) on :
Looks like Coleman had a "Diff'rent Stroke" after all!
Too soon?
Posted by den2 (Member # 20517) on :
HA HA HA!!!! Nice Diabolicus!! And no not to soon, he was an angry little dwarf anyway, no REAL loss to the world. I liked different strokes and all but everytime I heard his angry ass open his mouth, I just wanted to pick him up and toss him like a lawn dart!! Posted by blackHxC88 (Member # 15094) on :
quote:Originally posted by den2: HA HA HA!!!! Nice Diabolicus!! And no not to soon, he was an angry little dwarf anyway, no REAL loss to the world. I liked different strokes and all but everytime I heard his angry ass open his mouth, I just wanted to pick him up and toss him like a lawn dart!!
Posted by Diabolicus (Member # 7743) on :
quote:Originally posted by den2: HA HA HA!!!! Nice Diabolicus!! And no not to soon, he was an angry little dwarf anyway, no REAL loss to the world. I liked different strokes and all but everytime I heard his angry ass open his mouth, I just wanted to pick him up and toss him like a lawn dart!!
Ha. I mainly said it because I am not in the habit of pretending to be sorry for celebrities that have no impact on real life.
Posted by bluetoelover (Member # 14736) on :
Coleman was on a hit show in what the 80's? Didn't he assault a woman recently? My sympathy is lacking.
Posted by Keyfeet (Member # 27313) on :
well, the woman was his wife
Posted by GQguy (Member # 16534) on :
quote:Originally posted by Diabolicus:
quote:Originally posted by den2: HA HA HA!!!! Nice Diabolicus!! And no not to soon, he was an angry little dwarf anyway, no REAL loss to the world. I liked different strokes and all but everytime I heard his angry ass open his mouth, I just wanted to pick him up and toss him like a lawn dart!!
Ha. I mainly said it because I am not in the habit of pretending to be sorry for celebrities that have no impact on real life.
Ahh. People say this...that celebrities have no impact on real life...but I disagree. I never realized this till Michael Jackson died. An extreme example...but it'll illustrate the point.
When I listen to Michael's music I feel as though this music truly is my own personal soundtrack to my life. Do a biography on my life and Michael Jackson would play the tunes. Pretty awesome if you ask me. The happiest times...michael's voice was there....the times with the most sorrow..he was there too. He had millions...hell maybe even a billion as a result. But I do know that despite his huge wealth and fame...my life has far more happiness and peace than his ever will or did. He IMHO literally sacrificed his life...so that I may have a soundtrack to mine.
Ok....so for all celebs that distract us from the monotony of making the world go round....thank you!
GQ
Posted by den2 (Member # 20517) on :
Sorry if my comment pisses you off blackhxc88, but no one can deny how angry the goofy little bastard was.
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