Why is Gary Coleman so bitter? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JRDM · 06-09-2007, 03:18 AM

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.

Zoneboy · 06-09-2007, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRDM

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.

Dr. Thong · 06-09-2007, 10:54 AM

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.

ThomasE · 06-09-2007, 12:50 PM

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.

Mr. Television · 06-09-2007, 01:10 PM

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.

GSU2004 · 06-24-2007, 04:29 PM

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.

GARFIELDKOOL · 06-24-2007, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRDM

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.

Brian Damage · 06-24-2007, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GARFIELDKOOL

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.

TVFactFan · 06-24-2007, 06:18 PM

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"

Brian Damage · 06-24-2007, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAnalyzer

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.

TVFactFan · 06-24-2007, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

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

Mikado · 06-24-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

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!

GARFIELDKOOL · 06-24-2007, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

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.

TVFactFan · 06-24-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GARFIELDKOOL

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

GARFIELDKOOL · 06-24-2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAnalyzer

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?

06-09-2007, 03:18 AM	#1
JRDM Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 23, 2007 Posts: 88	Why is Gary Coleman so bitter? 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.

06-09-2007, 10:54 AM	#3
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	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.
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06-09-2007, 12:50 PM	#4
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	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.
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06-09-2007, 01:10 PM	#5
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	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.
	__________________ Sonny

06-24-2007, 04:29 PM	#6
GSU2004 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 28, 2005 Posts: 764	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.

06-24-2007, 06:18 PM	#9
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,062	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"