Diff'rent Strokes Star Gary Coleman Dies after Brain Haemorrage
Gary Coleman, the pint-sized child star of the hit 1970s TV sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes", died Friday after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 42.
He was taken off life support and died with family and friends at his side, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Janet Frank said.
Reportedly, Coleman suffered brain hemorrhage Wednesday in an accident at his Santaquin home, 55 miles south of Salt Lake City. Coleman’s brother-in-law Shawn Price said information would be released shortly about his death.
"It's unfortunate. It's a sad day," said Todd Bridges, who played Coleman's older brother, Willis, on "Different Strokes."
Coleman’s life was marked with legal, financial and health troubles, suicide attempts and even a 2003 run for California governor.
He played the adorable Arnold Jackson in "Diff'rent Strokes" and was a hit with his "Whatchu talkin' 'bout?" catchphrase. However, Coleman chafed at his permanent association with the show and tried to capitalize on it through reality shows and other TV appearances.
"I want to escape that legacy of Arnold Jackson," he told The New York Times during his gubernatorial run. "I'm someone more. It would be nice if the world thought of me as something more."
