San Fran, CA R.I.P. Gary Coleman

Much troubled, often mocked, yet tragic child star Gary Coleman has passed away after complications from a brain hemorrhage.

Excerpt from Huffington Post:

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 said 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.
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His popularity faded when the show ended after six seasons on NBC and two on ABC.

Coleman suffered continuing ill health from the kidney disease that stunted his growth and had a host of legal problems in recent years.

Coleman suffered the hemorrhage Wednesday at his Santaquin home, 55 miles south of Salt Lake City.

A statement from the family said he was conscious and lucid until midday Thursday, when his condition worsened and he slipped into unconsciousness. Coleman was then placed on life support.

 

Diff'rent Strokes was probly the first sitcom I remember watching. It's kinda sad how most of the stars from that show have had bad outcomes in life.

 

First Dana Plato's death, then her son's suidide, and now Gary. Todd Bridges said in a recent interview that jail was the best thing for his rehabilitation, because he could've ended up the same way. Strange how the only cast members to come out OK were the older cast members, Conrad Bain and Charlotte Rae.

It just goes to show how parents play a part in a child star's upbringing. Case in point: Lindsey Lohan vs. Ron Howard.

 

It seems at least one kid on that show did all right:

http://unrealitymag.com/index.php/2010/02/04/danny-cooksey-letter/

 

Gary will be missed. I always felt a little sorry for him for all his health problems.

There is some controversy about his death and how he sustained the injury that led to his passing, tho. He fell off a gurney during a dialysis treatment? WTF??

 

just listened to the 911 call. Pretty scary stuff.