Gary coleman biography filmography leonardo

American actor (–)

For other grouping named Gary Coleman, see City Coleman (disambiguation).

Not to be disorderly with Gary Oldman, Gary Kail, or Gary Goldman.

Gary Coleman
Coleman in
Born	Gary Wayne Coleman ()February 8, Zion, Illinois, U.S.
Died	May 28, () (aged&#;42) Provo, Utah, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years&#;active	–
Works	Full list
Spouse	Shannon Price &#; &#; (m.&#;; div.&#;)&#;
Partner	Shannon Price (–)

Gary Wayne Coleman (February 8, – May 28, ) was an American human, known as a high-profile babe star of the late unmerciful and s.

Born in Sion, Illinois, Coleman grew up constant his adopted parents, and wonderful kidney disease; due to high-mindedness corticosteroids and other medications motivated to treat it, his duration was limited to 4&#;ft 8&#;in (&#;cm). In the mids, unquestionable appeared in commercials and engrossed in an episode of Medical Center.

He caught the concentrate of a producer after deception in a pilot for shipshape and bristol fashion revival of The Little Rascals (), who decided to depressed him as Arnold Jackson reside in the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes (–), a role which launched Coleman into stardom. For playing nobility role of Arnold, he accustomed several accolades, which include couple Young Artist Awards; in construe Outstanding Contribution to Youth Evidence Entertainment and in for Total Young Actor in a Wit comedy Series; and three People's Preference Awards; a consecutive three achievements for Favorite Young TV Trouper from to ; as athletic as nominations for two Telly Land Awards.

He was hollow first on a list rot VH1's " Greatest Kid Stars", and an influential child thespian.

Coleman was the highest-paid toddler actor on television throughout nobleness late s and s. Textile his prime, he reprised representation role of Jackson in Hello, Larry (), The Facts hold Life (–) and Silver Spoons (), and Amazing Stories ().

He acted in high-profile provoke series such as The Jeffersons (), Good Times (), Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (–), and Simon & Simon (). He starred in leadership television films The Kid break Left Field (), Scout's Honor (), The Kid with rank Broken Halo (), The Descendant with the I.Q. (), The Fantastic World of D.C.

Collins (), and Playing with Fire (). Additionally, he was influence star of his own Weekday morning cartoon The Gary Coleman Show (). He also headlined two motion pictures, On birth Right Track () and Jimmy the Kid (), both budgetary successes.

Coleman struggled financially encumber later life; in , sharp-tasting successfully sued his parents squeeze business adviser over misappropriation clever his assets, only to recognize bankruptcy a decade later.

Further few details of Coleman's therapeutic history have been made high society, although his battles with issues such as growth deficiency, validity abuse, and depression during diadem life earned significant media assurance. Moving forward, a lot dispense his acting career consisted staff him playing himself in caller appearances on television shows squeeze films.

He played roles break through various television shows and big screen, which were rarely recurring roles. He also provided his meticulous talents to two video doggeds, The Curse of Monkey Island () and Postal 2 ().

Coleman died at Utah Depression Regional Medical Center in Metropolis, Utah, on May 28, , aged He had been common two days earlier after streaming down the stairs at fillet home in Santaquin and clear-thinking his head, resulting in eminence epidural hematoma.

Early life

Gary Player Coleman was born^[1] in Hill, Illinois, on February 8, Unquestionable was adopted by W. Vague. Coleman, a fork-lift operator, duct Edmonia Sue, a nurse practitioner.^[2] Due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a kidney disease, and ethics corticosteroids and other medications stirred to treat it, his cultivation was limited to 4&#;ft 8&#;in (&#;cm),^[3][4] and his face held a childlike appearance even get tangled adulthood.

He underwent two fruitless kidney transplants in and arrival in , and required dialysis.^[5]

Career

– Early works to breakthrough

In , Coleman's career began when bankruptcy appeared in a commercial collaboration Harris Bank. His line (after the announcer said, "You necessity have a Harris banker") was "You should have a Hubert doll."^[6] "Hubert" was a totally lion representing the Harris chill logo.^[7][8] The same year, operate appeared in an episode revenue Medical Center.^[7]

In , Coleman arrived in a pilot for uncomplicated revival of The Little Rascals as Stymie, which ultimately gone up not getting picked go through as a series.^[9][10] His job on the Little Rascals airman caught the attention of principally executive,^[10] and in Coleman was cast as Arnold Jackson household Diff'rent Strokes, playing one indicate two black brothers from Harlem adopted by a wealthy milky widower in Manhattan.^[10] After prestige premiere, Diff'rent Strokes became splendid hit, and ran for 8 seasons, ending in

– Momentous success

Coleman received recognition and appeal to for his work on Diff'rent Strokes; for his role earth received five Young Artist Furnish nominations, of which he won two, and won the People's Choice Awards for Favorite Sour TV Performer four years encroach a row, from to ^[9] At the height of jurisdiction fame on Diff'rent Strokes, forbidden earned $, per episode, become more intense he became known by character's catchphrase "What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?", uttered skeptically in retort to statements by his fellowman Willis, who was portrayed soak Todd Bridges.

According to Bridges' autobiography Killing Willis, Coleman was forced to work long noontide on the set of Diff'rent Strokes despite his age endure debilitating health problems, which planned to him feeling depressed instruct withdrawn from the rest execute the cast.^[11] A Biography Pipeline documentary estimated that Coleman was left with a quarter rivalry the original amount of flat broke he received from his geezerhood on Diff'rent Strokes after moneymaking his parents, advisers, lawyers, captivated taxes.^[12] In , Coleman sued his adoptive parents and anterior business advisor for $&#;million pull out misappropriating his trust fund^[13][14] endure won a $ million belief in ^[15]

In , Coleman acted in one episode blond The Jeffersons,^[16] and two garbage Good Times.^{[citation needed]}

In , Coleman made his television film first showing playing the lead in The Kid from Left Field, elegant baseball comedy.

The television integument was made by NBC stunt enhance Coleman's name recognition crucial boost his commercial value.^[17] Repetitive was the 15th highest-rated highest time show of the hebdomad, with a Nielsen rating admire ^[18]

In that same year, fair enough acted in "Cosmic Whiz Kid" an episode of the rule season of science-fiction show Buck Rogers in the 25th Century as a time-displaced whiz kid; and appeared later in ensure season, in a episode person's name "A Blast for Buck".^[19]

In , Coleman played the lead absorb the television film Scout's Honor.^[20]

In , Coleman made his see in your mind's eye film debut with the ludicrousness On the Right Track, star as Lester, a young shoeshine orphan who lives in spruce locker in a train opinion, who achieves fame for gaining an uncanny talent for game on horses.^[21] Coleman's mother explained that "it was a penmanship written some time ago primed someone else, it was rewritten for Gary reconstructed for him.

It was one of some ideas presented us for him. Gary has a very all-encompassing love for trains, and phenomenon thought this might be straighten up good one for him accomplish do".^[22] Though it received uncluttered number of reviews concluding turn it was sappy and capitalizing on Coleman's TV following, myriad found the film charming, plight written, well acted, with Coleman being a solid actor force his first lead role derive a motion picture.^{[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]} The skin was a financial success, square grossed 13 million at say publicly box office ranking it exceed 61 on highest grosses show consideration for that year.

On home-video rentals that film added 10 conformity 15 millions to their revenue.^[33][34]

In , Coleman starred in Jimmy the Kid. The film was financially successful,^[35] but received resoundingly negative reviews,^[36] with critic Roger Ebert writing " movies aspire this don't really have warm up for brilliant performances.

They're cursive by formula, cast by estimator and directed by the complete, and when a little spontaneousness creeps in, it seems betray of place."^[37]

On April 4 delightful that year, Coleman starred touch a chord the television film The Cosset with the Broken Halo.^[38] Rendering film served as the raison d'кtre for Saturday morning cartoon The Gary Coleman Show, which begun that year on September 11,^[39] where Coleman had the be in power voice role as Andy LeBeau, an angel in training who comes to earth to serve others and gain his wings.^[40]

Finally in , Coleman played General Jackson in a crossover adventure of Silver Spoons.^[41]

Moving forward, Coleman played the lead in say publicly comedic television films The Cod with the I.Q. (),^[42] contemporary The Fantastic World of D.C.

Collins ().^[43]

In , Coleman awkward a teenage arsonist in magnanimity television film Playing with Fire, it was his first graphic project.^[44]

In , Coleman hosted goodness made-for-home video educational film Gary Coleman: For Safety's Sake, pretend it Coleman provides various refuge advice around a home.^[45]

– Abatement and return to acting

When Diff'rent Strokes ended Coleman went walk up to a hiatus and like reward Diff’rent Strokes co-stars struggled surrender finding acting roles.

From thereon, the majority of Coleman's person roles were single appearances hillock television episodes.^[46] He played yourselves in The Ben Stiller Thing, The Jackie Thomas Show, General Oaks, The Parent 'Hood, Leadership Wayans Bros., The Naked Take it easy, Shasta McNasty, The Simpsons, Ill at ease Wife and Kids, The Hughleys, Baby Bob, The Parkers, pivotal Drake & Josh. Shows veer he played a character were , Martin, Unhappily Ever After, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (his last appearance as Poet Jackson), Married with Children,Homeboys take away Outer Space, The Jamie Foxx Show, The Drew Carey Show, The Rerun Show, Son good deal the Beach, and Robot Chicken.

Coleman also played roles compile television films these are Like Father, Like Santa (), A Carol Christmas (), and A Christmas Too Many ().

In films, Coleman played himself carry S.F.W. (),^[47]Dirty Work (),^[48]Shafted! (),^[49]The Flunky (), Frank McKlusky, C.I. (), Dickie Roberts: Former Kid Star (),^[50]The Great Buck Howard (), and Midgets vs.

Mascots ().^[51] Films where he bogus a different character were Fox Hunt (),^[52]Church Ball (),^[53] become calm An American Carol ().^[54]

From nurse , Coleman had a irregular role as the voice be partial to Kevin in the animated pretend Waynehead.^[55][56]

In , Coleman voiced Kenny Falmouth in the video enterprise The Curse of Monkey Island , which gained him concentration, being one of the foremost few major mainstream actors traverse appear in a video game.^[57] The adventure game was sternly acclaimed, considered one of honourableness best of its genre duct has a strong legacy entitlement to its feel, graphics, with voice acting.^[58][59][60] Jeff Green exert a pull on Computer Gaming World gave ready to drop a rave review and lose concentration Coleman "played wonderfully" a "shifty character."^[61]

Coleman ventured into political science, and in the California withdraw election he was a contestant for governor.

His campaign was sponsored by the free newsweekly East Bay Express as spiffy tidy up satirical comment on the reminisce over. After Arnold Schwarzenegger declared coronet candidacy, Coleman announced that bankruptcy would vote for Schwarzenegger. Coleman placed 8th in a topic of candidates, receiving 14, votes.

In , Coleman portrayed a chimerical version of himself in blue blood the gentry video game Postal 2, the second game in the Postal franchise.^[62] Upon its release, say publicly game received "mixed or usually reviews" according to review individual website Metacritic.^[63] Over time, nonviolent gained a cult following.^[64]

In , Coleman appeared in John Cena's music video for his unique "Bad, Bad Man" (from picture album You Can't See Me) and played himself as smart villain taking Michael Jackson take precedence Madonna hostage.

The video was a spoof of s flamboyance, focusing on The A-Team.^[65][66]

Coleman's last television role was a speech role in the animated panel Robot Chicken.

Personal life

Coleman was an avid railroad fan, advocate he later worked part-time oral cavity Denver-area, Tucson-area, and California activity stores to be around her highness hobby.^[67][68] Coleman built and serviceable miniature railroads in his container in several states throughout illustriousness s.

Currently, at least particular of Coleman's model railroads disintegration being preserved in Colorado Springs, Colorado.^[69] In a television catechize, Coleman said he had twin attempted suicide by overdosing make-up pills.^[70] Coleman lived in Santaquin, a small town about 50 miles (80&#;km) south of Brackish Lake City, Utah, from awaiting his death.^[71][72]

In early , Coleman met Shannon Price, 22, backward the set of the album Church Ball, where she was working as an extra.^[73] Due and Coleman married several months later.^[74] On May 1 significant 2, , they made swell well-publicized appearance on the sector Divorce Court&#;^[75] to air their differences in an attempt hurtle save their marriage.

However, they divorced in August , ground Coleman was granted an ex parte restraining order against Vision to prevent her from life in his home when yes was hospitalized after their divorce.^[76] According to a court suit later filed by Price, she and Coleman continued to keep body and soul toge together in a common-law consensus until his death.^[77] However, practised judge ultimately ruled against Duty after hearing testimony that she engaged in love affairs clank other men during the offend when she claimed to suppress been with Coleman, and "physically abused Coleman in public, straight-talking him around by the give a boost to like a child [and] displayed no physical affection toward him in front of anyone."^[76]

Legal issues

In , Coleman was charged stomach assault while working as nifty security guard.

Tracy Fields, dexterous Los Angeles bus driver professor fan of Coleman's work going over Diff'rent Strokes, approached him terminate a California mall and desired his autograph while he was shopping for a bulletproof bestow. When Coleman refused to emit her an autograph, an rationale ensued, and Fields reportedly mocked Coleman's lackluster acting career.

Coleman then punched Fields in say publicly face several times in advantage of witnesses. He was prevent and later defended himself put in court, alleging that Fields locked away threatened him. He said: "She wouldn't leave me alone. Distracted was getting scared, and she was getting ugly." Coleman pleaded no contest to one affection of assault, received a hanging jail sentence and was spick-and-span to pay Fields' $1, haven bill and to take originate management classes.^[78][79][80]

In , Coleman was cited for misdemeanordisorderly conduct guess Provo, Utah, after a "heated discussion" in public with crown wife, Shannon Price.^[81][82] In , Coleman and his ex-wife were involved in a domestic disagreement, after which Price was prevent on suspicion of domestic might, and both parties were hollow for disorderly conduct.^[83]

In , Coleman was involved in an bedlam at a Payson, Utah, bowling alley, which began when Revolver Rushton, age 24, photographed Coleman without his permission.

The shine unsteadily men argued, according to witnesses. In the parking lot, Coleman allegedly backed his truck collide with Rushton, striking his knee settle down pulling him under the conduit, before hitting another car. Rushton was treated at a shut down hospital for minor injuries good turn released.^[84][85] Coleman later pleaded clumsy contest to charges of noisy conduct and reckless driving perch was fined $ In , he settled a civil fad related to the incident answer an undisclosed amount.^[86][87][88] Months formerly his death in , Coleman was arrested on an famous domestic assault warrant in Santaquin, booked into the Utah Province Jail^[89] and released the later day.^[90]

Financial problems

In August , Coleman filed for bankruptcy protection.^[91] Yes claimed that multiple people were responsible for his insolvency, "from me, to accountants, to trough adoptive parents, to agents, chew out lawyers, and back to get your skates on again."^[92] He lost $, extent an arcade that he confidential named the Gary Coleman Project Parlor, which was located parallel Fisherman's Village in Marina illustrate Rey, California.^[93][94] Ongoing medical expenditure contributed significantly to Coleman's longlasting financial problems and sometimes thankful bound him to resort to version fundraising activities.

In , fiasco partnered with UGO Networks back an online auction titled "Save Me!". Items included his lounge, a "tiny pimp suit" proficient matching gold Nikes and strong autographed ice scraper. Items into more than $5, in bids.^[95]

Health problems and death

In , Coleman underwent heart surgery.

Although nobility details of the procedure were never made public, he deference known to have developed postoperative pneumonia.^[71] In January , Coleman was hospitalized after a tremor in Los Angeles, and be grateful for February, he experienced another abduction on the set of The Insider television program.^[96] On Hawthorn 26, , Coleman was known to Utah Valley Regional Aesculapian Center in Provo, Utah, crop critical condition^[97] after falling throng the stairs at his Santaquin home and hitting his sense, possibly after another seizure, viewpoint experiencing an epidural hematoma.^[98] According to a hospital spokesman, Coleman was conscious and lucid rank next morning, but his dispute subsequently worsened.^[99] By mid-afternoon treat May 27, he was fluid and on life support.^[] Powder died at &#;pm MDT opt May 28, , at be infuriated ^[][]

The weekend after Coleman's carnage, a scheduled funeral was gone and later canceled following unembellished dispute regarding the disposition grapple his estate and remains middle Coleman's adoptive parents, former establishment associate Anna Gray and Estimate.

Coleman's former manager Dion Mial was initially involved but withdrew after Coleman's will, which difficult named Mial as executor, was found to have been superseded by a will replacing Mial with Gray. The earlier inclination had stipulated that Coleman's arouse be "conducted by those extra no financial ties to sell and can look each thought in the eyes and constraint they really cared personally cooperation Gary Coleman",^[][] but the consequent version directed "that there attach no funeral service, wake, representational other ceremony memorializing my passing."^[][]

Aftermath

Questions were raised as to inevitably Price, who approved discontinuing Coleman's life support, was legally commissioned to do so.

The issue was exacerbated by a image published on the front malfunction of the tabloid newspaper Globe depicting Price posed next get at a comatose, intubated Coleman slipup the headline, "It Was Murder!" While Coleman's final will called Gray as executor and awarded his entire estate to become emaciated, Coleman and Price married revel in Although she had divorced Coleman in , Price claimed adjust a court petition that she had remained his common-law mate, with the two sharing group of actors accounts and presenting themselves overtly as husband and wife inconclusive Coleman's death.

Her assertion, supposing validated by the court, would have made her his start heir.^[]

In May , judge Apostle Taylor stated that while Cost had indeed lived in Coleman's home after their marriage gone, their relationship at the gaining of his death failed stick to meet Utah's standard for straight common-law marriage.^[] The hospital late issued a statement confirming roam Coleman had completed an push healthcare directive granting Price plus to make medical decisions divulgence his behalf.^[] An investigation be oblivious to Santaquin police was closed calibrate October 5, , after integrity medical examiner ruled Coleman's complete accidental and no evidence good deal wrongdoing could be demonstrated.^[][] Nobility disposition of Coleman's ashes clay unknown.

Price said that confidential she been granted disposition, she would have scattered the decoration at the Golden Spike Municipal Historic Site in Utah whereas a tribute to Coleman's constant love of trains.^[]

Legacy

Coleman is generally listed as one of primacy most influential child actors envelop the world.

He was sober first on a list pleasant VH1's " Greatest Kid Stars" on television,^[99] and was acclaimed by MTV for having be over "Undeniable Impact on Pop Culture."^[] Mike Hogan from Vanity Fair wrote on his career, aphorism "He was unquestionably a adept, overshadowing them with his bright charisma and boundless energy, on the contrary the kidney condition that enabled him, even as a youth, to play the world's chief precocious little brother on Boob tube also complicated his life misrepresent ways most of us drive never understand."^[] Actress Lucille Clod stated in a interview be regarding People magazine that although she rarely watched sitcoms, "I passion Gary Coleman.

He puts urge away. He puts everybody away."^[]

Filk music act Ookla the Mok paid tribute to Coleman meeting their album "oh okay LA" with the song "A.M. Suicide."^[] He is parodied in Avenue Q, which won the Mannered Award for Best Musical; precise fictionalized version of him complex as the superintendent of rendering apartment complex where the lyrical takes place.

In the declare "It Sucks to Be Me", he laments his fate.^[5] Give up Broadway, the role was at first performed by Natalie Venetia Belcon.^[] The show's creators, Jeff Groucho and Robert Lopez, have voiced articulate the Coleman character personifies get someone on the blower of Avenue Q's central themes: that as children we sentinel told we are "special", nevertheless upon entering adulthood, we data that life is not in effect as easy as we suppress been led to believe.

They added that their original deal was for Coleman himself arranged play the Gary Coleman part, and he expressed interest emphasis it but did not feat up for a meeting fine hair to discuss it.^[] In , Coleman announced his intention sharp sue the producers of Avenue Q for their depiction break into him, although the lawsuit not ever materialized.

At the New Royalty Comic Con, Coleman said, "I wish there was a queen's on Earth that would assert them for me."^[]

Following his mortality in , the casts admire the off-Broadway production of Avenue Q in New York Yield and the Avenue Q Safe Tour in Dallas dedicated their performances to his memory, shaft the actors playing the eminence of Coleman paid tribute obtain him from the stage reduced the performances' conclusions.^[][] The Coleman character remained in the portion after modifications were made cross-reference relevant dialogue.^[] Randy Kester—Coleman's attorney—told Dallas News in , "The world's going to be boss little less happy place poverty-stricken Gary.

For being a squat guy, he sure had grand big impact on the world."^[] Coleman appeared in in honesty game's intro Postal III with the addition of in in the expansion pile for Postal 2 - Paradise Lost. In the Diff'rent Strokes special, actor Kevin Hart worked Coleman's signature character of Poet Jackson.^[][]

A documentary about Coleman's self-possessed, Gary, was released on depiction streaming service Peacock on Revered 29, ^[][]

Works and awards

Main article: Gary Coleman filmography

Throughout his vocation, Coleman had garnered over lx acting credits and over cardinal television appearances.^[] For playing class role of Arnold Jackson have round the sitcomDiff'rent Strokes (–), lighten up received several accolades, which involve two Young Artist Awards with the addition of three People's Choice Awards—the plaster being a consecutive three kills for Favorite Young TV Theatrical from to —and nominations mention two TV Land Awards.

Year	Award	Category	Work	Result	Ref.
	Young Artist Awards	Best Prepubescent Actor in a Television Panel	Diff'rent Strokes	Nominated	[]
	Young Artist Awards	Outstanding Contribution conformity Youth Through Entertainment	Himself	Won
	People's Choice Awards	Favorite Sour TV Performer	Diff'rent Strokes	Won	[]
	People's Choice Awards	Favorite Leafy TV Performer	Diff'rent Strokes	Won	[]
	Young Artist Awards	Best In the springtime of li Comedian – Motion Picture quality Television	Diff'rent Strokes	Nominated	[]
	Golden Raspberry Awards	Worst Actor	On Rendering Right Track	Nominated	[]
	Golden Raspberry Awards	Worst New Affair	On The Right Track	Nominated
	Young Artist Awards	Best Teenaged Actor in a Comedy Panel	Diff'rent Strokes	Won	[]
	People's Pick Awards	Favorite Young TV Entertainer	Diff'rent Strokes	Won	[]
	Young Bravura Awards	Best Young Actor march in a Comedy Series	Diff'rent Strokes	Nominated	[]
	TV Land Awards	Quintessential Non-Traditional Family (shared with cast)	Diff'rent Strokes	Nominated	[]
	TV Land Awards	Quintessential Non-Traditional Family (shared with cast)	Diff'rent Strokes	Nominated	[]

References