Gary Coleman’s Tension with Diff’rent Strokes Producers Over Aging Character Revealed

Gary Coleman’s Tension with Diff’rent Strokes Producers Over Aging Character Revealed

Gary Coleman’s clash with the producers of Diff’rent Strokes took center stage in Peacock’s new documentary, Gary. The film reveals how Coleman, who played Arnold Jackson from ages 10 to 18, was frustrated by the show’s refusal to age his character alongside him.

Coleman was cast as the charming young orphan Arnold Jackson in 1978, and he remained in the role until the show’s final season in 1986. Despite Coleman growing older, Arnold Jackson’s age remained unchanged.

In the documentary, Coleman’s close friend Dion Mial reflects on this issue: “When Gary was 17, he wasn’t comfortable with the fact that Arnold Jackson was aging at the same pace that Gary Coleman was aging.” Coleman’s condition, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, resulted in stunted growth, which kept him at around 4 foot 8. While this made him ideal for the role of Arnold, it also posed challenges for his career.

Casting director Eve Brandstein explains, “They didn’t want to change him. They had a golden goose.” She acknowledges that this fixation on maintaining a successful formula caused Coleman emotional distress.

Before Diff’rent Strokes, Coleman was relatively unknown, with only a few minor roles and commercials to his name. The show’s breakout star was Coleman, despite the series being anchored by Conrad Bain, who played the adoptive father of Arnold and Todd Bridges’ character, Willis Jackson. Coleman’s popularity led to guest appearances on other shows like Hello, Larry and The Facts of Life, as well as unrelated series such as The Jeffersons and Good Times.

Diff’rent Strokes’ hairstylist Joann Stafford-Chaney notes that Coleman felt like “just a meal ticket,” expressing dissatisfaction with his situation. This sentiment was confirmed in a 1985 appearance on The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson, where Coleman admitted to Joan Rivers, “Not much,” when asked if the show was maturing his character.

Brandstein points out that the show’s ratings began to decline as the same jokes and energy were recycled. ABC eventually canceled Diff’rent Strokes in 1986, with Coleman’s agent, Victor Perillo, suggesting that the show had run its course.

Post-Diff’rent Strokes, Coleman struggled to maintain his career and expressed deep resentment towards his role. In 2000, he declared, “Diff’rent Strokes must die, and it must die soon… I don’t care if it’s a bloody death, I don’t care if it’s a quiet death, just as long as it dies.”

Coleman continued to make guest appearances on shows like The Simpsons and My Wife and Kids, and appeared in films such as Dirty Work. He also had small roles in movies like Church Ball and An American Carol. Later, Coleman briefly worked as a security guard and even ran for California governor. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 42 due to a brain hemorrhage from a fall.

Gary Coleman’s Tension with Diff’rent Strokes Producers Over Aging Character Revealed

Gary is currently available for streaming on Peacock.

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