Gary Coleman, 42, the pint sized troubled child star who sassed a generation in the hit sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes," died Friday from a brain hemorrhage caused by fall at his Utah home.
Coleman suffered from congenital kidney disease, Coleman underwent two kidney transplants by the time he was 14. The transplant drugs stunted his growth and caused the eternal child-like appearance that both helped and undercut his success.
"Diff'rent Strokes," made Coleman a star. When the show was over the tiny actor found it hard to find roles. He dreamed of remaking "The Wizard Of Oz" and being the lead 'Munchkin' Sadly he never got to sing "Follow The Yellow Brick Road". In 1989 he sued his parents-whom had managed him and, he claimed stole a lot of his TV money. At the time of Coleman's death he was still estranged from his parents.
Other child stars from the hit sitcom had a rough ride as well. Dana Plato died at the age of 34 after struggling with drug and alcohol problems. She famously tried to rob a dry cleaning store. She also appeared in an adult film and in Playboy. She died of an overdose from Vanadom and Vicodin. In 2010 her son Tyler Lambert committed suicide.
Todd Bridges is still alive and has managed to turn his life around but for years he battled a cocaine addiction and was arrested in 1988 for the attempted murder of A drug dealer. Bridges pleaded not guilty to shooting the thug and he was acquitted of all charges. In 1993 he stabbed a tenant with a kitchen knife after he said he had attacked him with a sword. The charges against him were dropped, cause you know, everyone gets attacked with a sword these days.
What I really want to know is-what the hell ever happened to TV's "Webster"? I hope he's not working at Walmart with a gun stuffed in his knickers; ready to go off.
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