Whatchu Talking ‘Bout, Angels? Gary Coleman Dies at Age 42

Whatchu talking ’bout Willis? Today actor Gary Coleman died at the age of 42 from a brian hemorrhage. He was best known as the smart-mouthed kid Arnold Jackson on the TV sitcom “Diff’rent Storkes.”

Due to suffering from a kidney condition, Coleman never grew past 4 feet, 8 inches. Although he was loved for many of his television and film appearances his personal life was filled with financial problems and personal struggles.

Miguel K from D-Listed says he’s now up in heaven saying “Watchu talking ’bout, angels?”

The ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ Curse

Although the sitcom was a hit for NBC for many years, after the show ended the legacy of the series was clouded by the horrible misfortune and tragedy that befell most of the cast members.

Dana Plato, who played Kimberly Drummond, the daughter of the boy’s guardian Phillip Drummond (Conrad Bain), died in May 1999 of a drug overdose.

Plato’s son, Tyler Lambert, committed suicide earlier this month.

Todd Bridges, who played his brother Willis, also had brushes with the law and struggled with drug addiction as his acting career stalled.

Coleman, who played Arnold Jackson, was plagued with kidney problems, sued his parents over his finances, a struggling acting career, bankruptcy and run-ins with the law and charges of domestic violence.

Gary Coleman on the Simpsons

In 1999 on the Christmas episode of “The Simpsons” titled “Grift of the Magi” Gary Coleman appeared as himself working as a security guard for a corrupt toy company.

At the end of the episode, the Simpsons invte Coleman over to their house for a Christmas Carol style dinner where he utters his catchphrase instead Tiny Tim’s “God bless us, every one!”

“Whatchu talkin ’bout everyone!”

Vote for Gary Coleman

In 2003, due to a bizzare recall election where Gov. Gray Davis was ousted as governor of California dozens of candidates including threw their hat into the ring, in a land grab for the seat including such unlikely candidates as Ariana Huffington, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gary Coleman.

“I suffer a little bit from Napoleonism, if you will,” Coleman told CNN in 2003. “I don’t like being short. I wish I was tall because I’d be accepted in other, more tall circles or adult circles, if you will.”

Due to all of the media attention on the number of candidates, The Game Show Network held a debate/game show “Who wants to be Governor of California? – The Debating Game,” featuring seven candidates unlikely to win the election, including former child star Gary Coleman and porn star Mary Carey.

Avenue Q

In 2003 the broadway musical Avenue Q portrayed Gary Coleman as the superintendent of the apartment complex where the show takes place.

Originally hilariously played by Natalie Venetia Belcon, a female actor, the role now tours with a male actor Nigel Jamaal Clark.

Although the character was sympathetic and helped increase his Gary Coleman’s exposure, he hated it. When asked about the Avenue Q character, Coleman responded, “I wish there was a lawyer on Earth that would sue them for me.”

Social Media and Gary Coleman

Although Coleman never had a website, he did manage to get on Twitter and even tried to co-host a blogtalk TV show with YouTube celebrity Tay Zonday.

Thank you for the laughter Gary, sorry it “sucked to be you.”

This entry was posted on Friday, May 28th, 2010 at 4:25 pm and is filed under People. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.