Gary Coleman was formally charged Wednesday with reckless driving and disorderly conduct following an altercation at a bowling alley in Utah.

"Mr. Coleman was notified today of the charges through his attorney," said Lt. Bill Wright of the Payson, Utah, Police Department. "(Coleman) never spoke to us about what happened, but we gathered evidence after speaking to witnesses and the other party involved."

Both charges are misdemeanors.

Coleman, 40, was backing out of a bowling alley around midnight on Sept. 6 when his truck hit Colt Rushton, 24, as well as another car. Rushton was taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Witnesses said Coleman became irritated after Rushton photographed him. The two argued in the bowling alley and then moved outside, Lt. Wright said.

Rushton's attorney, Dustin Lance, said in a statement: "This wasn't a situation of paparazzi or stalker-razzi, this was a fan snapping two photographs with a cell phone."

Rushton has since filed a lawsuit against Coleman, seeking damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

A rep for Coleman wasn't immediately available for comment.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20226804,00.html

Someone should get this guy into anger management classes NOW.

I really hope he gets some help and soon!!! :(

It's too bad he's such a jerk! I know his parents got him into show business, but one would think that he would get over himself and understand that he does still have some fans out there, regardless of his actions. That's part of the business!

It's too bad he's such a jerk! I know his parents got him into show business, but one would think that he would get over himself and understand that he does still have some fans out there, regardless of his actions. That's part of the business!

I saw a show Gary Coleman on the Bio channel I think and he said it was HIS own doing to get into show business. He said he's regretted it every since!

What??? If not for show business he'd be just a midget but now he's still a celebrity even if a faded one.

What would Gary have done if he hadn't gotten into show business? It could have been tough for someone of his stature.

I do hope that things do pan out for him. He has been so unhappy for most of his life.

I saw a show Gary Coleman on the Bio channel I think and he said it was HIS own doing to get into show business. He said he's regretted it every since!

What??? If not for show business he'd be just a midget but now he's still a celebrity even if a faded one.

What would Gary have done if he hadn't gotten into show business? It could have been tough for someone of his stature.

I thought I seen that bio or one like it, but I must have missed that part or assumed that his parents got him into show business being he was a kid. Either way, his treatment of his fans is outrageous. There is the occassional crazy fan, but for the most part, people tend to care about their favorite actors and do like their pics and autographs. Gee, how horrible of us. :rolleyes: I can't imagine what he would have been if he wasn't an actor, probably some miserable hot head loser.

I think Gary needs to make peace with the fact that he will ALWAYS be known for Diff'rent Strokes. I can understand why it is annoying for him, but the sooner he actually uses it for his benefit, the sooner he can become a happy person. Todd Bridges has had a hard adult life, but he's made piece with the fact that no matter what he does, he will always be Willis in most eyes, and he's used it to his benefit and has a positive demeanor now and even gets occasional acting gigs on soaps and the sort. Granted, maybe he's not the star he wishes he would've become but he seems like an upbeat and happy person who isn't above signing an autograph for someone or talking about the show.

With Gary, I actually think if he got over it and stop being such a sad bitter specimen of a man, that while he may never get the stardom he once had, he could have a healthy career with steady employment much like Todd. Maybe doing some autograph conventions wouldn't hurt either.

I think Gary needs to make peace with the fact that he will ALWAYS be known for Diff'rent Strokes. I can understand why it is annoying for him, but the sooner he actually uses it for his benefit, the sooner he can become a happy person. Todd Bridges has had a hard adult life, but he's made piece with the fact that no matter what he does, he will always be Willis in most eyes, and he's used it to his benefit and has a positive demeanor now and even gets occasional acting gigs on soaps and the sort. Granted, maybe he's not the star he wishes he would've become but he seems like an upbeat and happy person who isn't above signing an autograph for someone or talking about the show.

With Gary, I actually think if he got over it and stop being such a sad bitter specimen of a man, that while he may never get the stardom he once had, he could have a healthy career with steady employment much like Todd. Maybe doing some autograph conventions wouldn't hurt either.he did do a few of those but he dosent do them too often but the odd thing is most of the show promoters have said that while he wasant the most outgoing guest that they have ever had he weasant really rude to the fans ether he was at least polite