I realize that Gary Coleman's life has not been a bed of roses. His parents did him very wrong. He has had medical problems since he was a young kid. Yes, he was shortchanged in life with regard to his height and size. In those ways Gary has been given a dirty deal in life. I don't think anybody will argue differently. However, he has also had some very good things happen to him. Diff'rent Stokes was one of the BEST shows of the '80s, and Gary was indeed one of the biggest child stars of that decade. People loved him. Despite his problems it looks like he could see that in some ways the good has outweighed the bad. There are probably people who have had similar problems that Gary had who didn't have the good things he had. He is a bitter man, a man mad at the world. There's no excuse for the way he treats fans. Gary's not the only person in the world who has ever had problems, but his attitude gives the impression that he thinks he is. He hates Diff'rent Strokes I suppose because it reminds him of bad times. If his attitude was different he could be having a great time. Whatever he wanted to do now he could still be traveling around meeting with fans and using "Arnold" as a way to entertain them. Fans want to hear "What cha talkin' 'bout, Willis". Gary shouldn't resent that. He should realize that he is loved by fans. Gary Coleman needs to see himself the way other people see him.

Fans want to hear "What cha talkin' 'bout, Willis". Gary shouldn't resent that. He should realize that he is loved by fans. Gary Coleman needs to see himself the way other people see him.

You may have just answered your own question with that one paragraph. Did you ever stop to think that maybe he's fed-up with being remembered only as Arnold? or that he's sick-to-death of people asking him to say "What cha talkin' 'bout, Willis". Maybe if some people talked to him about his other roles, He might not have the attitude he does.

I realize that Diff'rent Strokes will be what Gary is best remembered for but he has done other things. Other actors are the same way, Some resent it and some don't. Take Russell Johnson for instance, He will always be remembered as the Professor and from what I've been told, He's very appreciative and gracious to his fans when they want to talk about Gilligan's Island but he also enjoys talking about his other roles especially the 2 Twilight Zone episodes he starred in.

Think about it. Would you want to be remembered for some little remark you made as a chubby-cheeked 10 year old?? And that's all that people want from you?? Hell, I think most of us would resent it when we were 15.

Keep in mind also that there are behind-the-scenes stuff that we may or may not know about.

On the other hand, by continually going against fans' requests for the "Arnold-isms," he paints himself as a difficult character. I think Gary is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

Personally, I think if you meet someone you admire or idolize, you should just tell them you admire their work and leave it at that. The way I look at it, when they're out in public, they're on their own time.

I can understand his situation. He may be paranoid that someone may bring up a question like "can you do a scene from Diff Strokes"?

It is ashame and pathetic that he has been doing those loan commercials. It almost scared me to see him laughin hysterically about being approved for a loan.

I wish him better in his life. It would be a shame to go through this life and remain as bitter as he is.

I do understand why he's bitter. It's different from other actors who are typecast. For Gary he still looks like that same kid and he's in his 30's now. How would you like it if everytime you went out people wanted you to imitate a saying you did as a little kid? Plus their were probably a lot of bad memories that came out of that show including Dana Plato's death. Plus he hasn't had many acting roles since Different Strokes because when you look at him it's hard to see anybody but Arnold Jackson. He's stuck with it. I think he still should be polite to his fans and I don't excuse any of his behavior but I do understand it.

While I don't agree with him taking it out on the fans who watched his shows and brought the products, I do understand. When you know you made all this money as a child and now broke as an adult, who wouldn't be mad? He's gone from professional actor to professional security guard; definetely not where you would want to be after being so successful.

I realize that Gary Coleman's life has not been a bed of roses. His parents did him very wrong. He has had medical problems since he was a young kid. Yes, he was shortchanged in life with regard to his height and size. In those ways Gary has been given a dirty deal in life. I don't think anybody will argue differently. However, he has also had some very good things happen to him. Diff'rent Stokes was one of the BEST shows of the '80s, and Gary was indeed one of the biggest child stars of that decade. People loved him. Despite his problems it looks like he could see that in some ways the good has outweighed the bad. There are probably people who have had similar problems that Gary had who didn't have the good things he had. He is a bitter man, a man mad at the world. There's no excuse for the way he treats fans. Gary's not the only person in the world who has ever had problems, but his attitude gives the impression that he thinks he is. He hates Diff'rent Strokes I suppose because it reminds him of bad times. If his attitude was different he could be having a great time. Whatever he wanted to do now he could still be traveling around meeting with fans and using "Arnold" as a way to entertain them. Fans want to hear "What cha talkin' 'bout, Willis". Gary shouldn't resent that. He should realize that he is loved by fans. Gary Coleman needs to see himself the way other people see him.

I agree with you. I don't like him or his attitude nowadays. He is arrogant, and like you said, doesn't treat the fans with respect. He needs to get over the problems he has had. So what if he's typecast as Arnold? Who isn't typecast?! He needs to seek him some help.

I agree with you. I don't like him or his attitude nowadays. He is arrogant, and like you said, doesn't treat the fans with respect. He needs to get over the problems he has had. So what if he's typecast as Arnold? Who isn't typecast?! He needs to seek him some help.


He's grown into a very bitter man and I personally cannot stand looking at him.

I can see him getting upset if ADULT FANS run into him and bring up Diffrent strokes because they should have more sense just to say-"Hello" And not-"You're Arnold from Diffrent Strokes"

I can see him getting upset if ADULT FANS run into him and bring up Diffrent strokes because they should have more sense just to say-"Hello" And not-"You're Arnold from Diffrent Strokes"

He should be gracious and thankful that he was ever even a celebrity of any kind.

He should be gracious and thankful that he was ever even a celebrity of any kind.


Well if I ran into him tomorrow, I would just say-"Hey Gary" and not bring up his child character at all-lol

Personally, I think if you meet someone you admire or idolize, you should just tell them you admire their work and leave it at that. The way I look at it, when they're out in public, they're on their own time.
Amen to that.....And frankly, he doesnt "owe" his fans anything, he went to work, did his job, then got his paycheque, like anyone else...the only person he owes anything to, is himself.

ok.........I guess I should say that his parents got his paycheques...And Id think that has a lot to do with his present bitterness!

Amen to that.....And frankly, he doesnt "owe" his fans anything, he went to work, did his job, then got his paycheque, like anyone else...the only person he owes anything to, is himself.

but these actors and actresses have to realize that what they do on camera, millions of people are viewing them. If they walk out in public, people are going to recognize them. Gary has to expect that. It's not like he work a 9-5 job behind closed doors all day.

but these atcors and actresses have to realize that what they do on camera, millions of people are viewing them. If they walk out in public, people are going to recognize them. Gary has to expect that. It's not like he work a 9-5 job behind closed doors all day.


They can recognize him but just don't have to bring up Diffrent Strokes

They can recognize him but just don't have to bring up Diffrent Strokes

LaWanda Page once said in a People magazine that people would come up to her and ask her to say, "Watch it Sucka!" She would say it with no problem. What's Gary's excuse?

LaWanda Page once said in a People magazine that people would come up to her and ask her to say, "Watch it Sucka!" She would say it with no problem. What's Gary's excuse?


Because Gary is not Lawanda and don't want to act like his child character in front of stranger who runs up to him

Because Gary is not Lawanda and don't want to act like his child character in front of stranger who runs up to him
Right, and if his fans really "love" him, then they should respect his wishes to be left alone.

He's grown into a very bitter man and I personally cannot stand looking at him.

What thought comes to your mind when you look at him? LOL.

ary did not look Bitter to me

I realize that Gary Coleman's life has not been a bed of roses. His parents did him very wrong. He has had medical problems since he was a young kid. Yes, he was shortchanged in life with regard to his height and size. In those ways Gary has been given a dirty deal in life. I don't think anybody will argue differently. However, he has also had some very good things happen to him. Diff'rent Stokes was one of the BEST shows of the '80s, and Gary was indeed one of the biggest child stars of that decade. People loved him. Despite his problems it looks like he could see that in some ways the good has outweighed the bad. There are probably people who have had similar problems that Gary had who didn't have the good things he had. He is a bitter man, a man mad at the world. There's no excuse for the way he treats fans. Gary's not the only person in the world who has ever had problems, but his attitude gives the impression that he thinks he is. He hates Diff'rent Strokes I suppose because it reminds him of bad times. If his attitude was different he could be having a great time. Whatever he wanted to do now he could still be traveling around meeting with fans and using "Arnold" as a way to entertain them. Fans want to hear "What cha talkin' 'bout, Willis". Gary shouldn't resent that. He should realize that he is loved by fans. Gary Coleman needs to see himself the way other people see him.
It is understadable that Gary Coleman is somewhat bitter. I do not think he hates Diff'rent Strokes though. If he did he would not have been involved with the recent Behind the Camera movie. Like Todd Bridges mother, said it was not the show but the home life the three kids were dealing with at the time of the show that was the problem.

I feel badly for him. he's gone through a lot of hard times.

Well if I ran into him tomorrow, I would just say-"Hey Gary" and not bring up his child character at all-lol
yeah, i'd be like "you rock gary" and not "can you say watchutalkin'boutwillis?" because nobody wants to be a one line wonder, which he wasn't, because he said other funny things in the show.

I Heard He Hit A Fan Coz They Asked Him To Say His Line But I Heard His Parents Were Stealing His Money For There Own Thing Maybe He's Just Fed Up

i think Gary should be grateful to his fans because many of us have grown up with the show. i would say though that my suggestion as to why he is bitter, isn't just to do with his battle with his parents in court, his troubles with the police etc but rather since diff'rent strokes ended, he has been struggling for roles in tv and film, especially. aside from the height issue, Gary is known to all of us as arnold jackson and nothing else and thus, it is the only role people want to talk about. and yet he seems to have a problem with it. i could understand that it becomes annoying for a while if a fan goes up to him and say: ''can you say that catchphrase 'whatcha talkin' bout willis?''', at the time. anyone would be pissed if people came up to them and ask them to reinact a scene or phrase.

however, Gary should be grateful because we love the show and to show a bit more respect. not many kids are blessed with a talent for acting, singing etc but Gary was great, and instead of being angry and bitter as an adult, he needs to liven up a bit and stop acting a fool. as Garfieldskool said, he should take a leaf out of Emannuel Lewis's book- he didn't let being short affect him. he just got on with his life without getting into deeper trouble with the law and within his life

I know Gary Coleman was sick for a While with a Kiddey Problem

I feel badly for him. he's gone through a lot of hard times.
No doubt due to his own behavior. I don't mean his health, family issues he had to deal with when he was suing his parents, but merely what occurred with him after that.

I agree with GarfieldKool, he needs to just be so damn thankful, thank his lucky stars, thank God he is not some druggie, alcoholic, homeless washed-up bum. He may not be raking in the big dough like he did as a youngster, but he shouldn't be ashamed or even hateful towards the very thing that put bread and butter on his table. Some people are successful all their lives, but no doubt through hard-work. Gary needs to just suck up the whole Arnold thing and get over it. Hey, wouldn't he rather be associated with a positive character he created or would he rather have the legacy that some washed up celebs now have?

I forgot that he was sueing his mom and dad

Years ago ( early 90s to be exact ) Gary Coleman came to my hometown. He was the firefighters marshall for our local Apple Blossom Festival. A local country music station paid for his trip to Virginia. At the time I heard horror stories about his attitude when he was there. Yelling at a woman who wanted to squeeze his cheeks and ask him to say that catch phrase. Getting nasty with the press who was more interested in Todd Bridges & Dana Plato's troubles than Gary's issues. I believe the local paper more/less called Gary a "smart ass" and he was just a "washed up brat".

Years later when I got a job at that country music station I found out the real reason why Gary acted the way he did. It seems the radio station told Gary that the only reason they picked him to appear was because he was "cheap" and their first choice turned them down. That being Garth Brooks and since Garth was hitting it big at the time, he didn't do "small towns" so after going down the list of possible choices of other celebrities. They got Gary Coleman.

The public can be cruel and many of times people wonder why some celebrities act the way they do.

I like Gary no matter what. He was great on the show. People change when they get older. Some don't want to be reminded of when they were 10 years old on a TV show. He made the show great.

I know what fans are like when they meet a star.Was at a Halloween theme park once many years ago.I remember Elvira was there signing autographs.I remember when the park was closeing and she was leaving all these fans swarmed around her as she was leaving trying to touch her,grab her.You name it.People do crazy things when they meet someone famous.
As for Gary.Yeah I think it would bug me to if people run up to me and ask me to do the famous "Watch Ya Talking Willis!" every place that I go.But that's the price of being famous.Once you become famous you're privacy is pretty mutch out the window.

He's probably tired of being thought as as just Arnold Jackson, his health problems, and there are probably some unnamed issues also.

I don't understand Gary's bitterness. I can understand why he might get tired of Diff'rent Strokes day in and day out, but how quickly he forgets that it's BECAUSE OF DIFF'RENT STROKES that people will stop him on the street. Granted, Diff'rent Strokes made him a hasbeen, but... at least he's a hasbeen, he could be a never-was.

I don't understand Gary's bitterness. I can understand why he might get tired of Diff'rent Strokes day in and day out, but how quickly he forgets that it's BECAUSE OF DIFF'RENT STROKES that people will stop him on the street. Granted, Diff'rent Strokes made him a hasbeen, but... at least he's a hasbeen, he could be a never-was.

I agree with you, but some people aren't necessarily doing it out of love or respect for Gary and the Arnold character, but just to bust his balls. And they know he hates it, so they keep pushing it. You have to remember that these actors are people as well and want to live their lives outside of the spotlight.

The thing that comes to mind when I hear stories like this is this one episode of the Surreal life (the second season) where Robert Van Winkle/Vanilla Ice and crew were working in a diner and Gary Coleman was the celebrity manager for the night or what have you. Anyhow, Vanilla Ice - who on previous shows lamented about the fact that he couldn't stand people seeing him as Vanilla Ice, running up to him to say "Word to your Motha", how that "Ice Ice Baby" song was a mistake he wish he could dodge, etc - sees Gary Coleman then proceeds to tease him, ask him to say "Wha'chu talkin' abut, Willis?" to score points with the diners (or just to be funny, who knows) then physically lifts a Gary - a grown man - up like a child and says say it, say it, blah blah blah. Gary of course was upset and left {rightfully so, in my opinion}. And at the risk of sounding as if I'm defending Gary's reported, occassional, rude actions - I'm not - if varations of this is what he has to go through- or risk going through - every time he steps out in public ... who wouldn't be bitter or, at the least, edgy around people. Also, it's easy to say how someone should act or how we think we would act given certain situations and circumstances but the truth is ... we really don't know until we have to deal with it. I mean how many of us have been impatient with people for small things yet will lambast others for doing the same thing in public? And how many of us, like Vanilla Ice, want certain rules to apply to us but seem to discard them when someone else is involved (You figure with the way he said he felt, he would have understood why his approach and actions in that diner wouldn't fly with Gary. But to his way of seeing things Gary was just being uptight).