Conrad Bain, Todd Bridges, Charlotte Rae and others remember Gary Coleman

[Mr. Television]

http://blog.al.com/scenesource/2010/...iffrent_s.html

Gary Coleman's death: 'Diff'rent Strokes' co-stars Todd Bridges, Charlotte Rae react; others pay tribute
By Laura Axelrod -- The Birmingham News
May 28, 2010, 6:04PM


Todd Bridges, Conrad Bain and Charlotte Rae talk about Gary Coleman

* Todd Bridges, who played “Willis” on the show, told the Associated Press: "It's unfortunate. It's a sad day. It's sad that I'm the last kid alive from the show." (AP)

Despite personal challenges, Bridges has continued his acting career. He appeared as the character Monk on “Everybody Hates Chris.” He discusses his drug addiction in a new book called, “Killing Willis.” (IMDB/New York Post)

* While Coleman was on life support, Conrad Bain, who played his Dad, Phillip Drummond, said that he was praying for the actor’s recovery. He told TMZ that he had not been in touch with Coleman in years, but his co-star was in his thoughts. (TMZ)

According to Sitcoms Online, Conrad Bain retired from acting in 1986. He did, however, appear in an episode of “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” alongside Coleman. Bain reprised his role as Phillip Drummond on the show. (Sitcoms Online)

* Charlotte Rae, who played Mrs. Garrett on “Diff’rent Strokes” and its spin-off “Facts of Life,” told TMZ that Gary Coleman was the reason that “Facts” was such a success. “I said a prayer for him this morning after hearing about his condition. Gary was so loving, so charming. He was the big star of the show," she told the site. (TMZ)

Charlotte Rae has continued her acting career. In recent years, she has appeared on “King of Queens” and “ER.” (IMDB)

The Broadway production of "Avenue Q" pay tribute

* The Broadway show, “Avenue Q” had a character based on Gary Coleman. The company issued a statement on his death, via Broadway.com:

"The creators, producers, and company of 'Avenue Q' are terribly saddened to hear of the death of Gary Coleman, whose tremendous gifts brought delight and inspiration to audiences around the world. While everything in life may be only for now, we suspect that Gary's legacy will live on for many years to come. Gary's memory will certainly endure in the hearts and minds of those of us who live on 'Avenue Q.'"

The site also reports that the actor who portrays Coleman in the show will pay special tribute to the former child star after Friday night’s performance. (Broadway.com)

Other celebrities:

* Robert Guillaume told Entertainment Weekly: “Gary was a dear friend. He was so enormously talented. His death saddens me beyond my ability to express. I can only hope that he finds the peace he so earnestly sought. I will miss him.” (EW.com)

* Entertainment Weekly has also compiled the twitter comments from various celebrities, which include:

o “Rest in peace, Gary Coleman.” -Alyssa Milano, via Twitter
o “I hope that in heaven Gary Coleman finds the peace that eluded him on Earth, and finally discovers what Willis was talking about.” -Mark Hoppus, via Twitter
o “Arnold and Abraham the goldfish together again. RIP Gary Coleman.” -Eric Stonestreet, via Twitter

[catlover79]

Alison Arngrim (Little House on the Prairie), Susan Olsen (The Brady Bunch), and Susan Buckner (Grease) are some other celebs who have added their condolences on Facebook.

[Mr. Television]

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/164...man_gary.jhtml

May 28 2010 8:01 PM EDT 3,263

Gary Coleman Remembered By Janet Jackson, Ashton Kutcher, Others
Kim Kardashian, Kevin Smith, Olivia Wilde and John Stamos also take to Twitter to remember 'Diff'rent Strokes' star.

By Brian Warmoth


Gary Coleman will be remembered for one TV role more than any other accomplishment in his career, but the "Diff'rent Strokes" star — who died Friday (May 28) due to an intercranial hemorrhage — was mourned by people across the entertainment industry.

Some focused on what he had to overcome as a child actor, while others chose to remember him as Arnold Jackson.

"I'm at a loss for words upon learning of Gary Coleman's passing," said Janet Jackson, who appeared on "Diff'rent Strokes" as the girlfriend of Todd Bridges' character. "I want to remember him as the fun, playful, adorable and affectionate man he was. He has left a lasting legacy. I know he is finally at peace."

John Stamos, who starred with several young Hollywood names during his time on "Full House," noted the difficulties Coleman experienced trying to overcome his "Diff'rent Strokes" persona. "Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be...actors. r.i.p. gary," Stamos tweeted.

Tom Arnold credited Coleman with brightening up his adolescence. "He made my teen years funnier!" the actor and comedian wrote. "Now I hope people will stop bullying him."

Both Kim Kardashian and Shannon Elizabeth offered prayers for Coleman and his family.

"Oh wow Gary Coleman passed away!" Kardashian tweeted. "My prayers go out to his family."

Those words were echoed by Elizabeth: "RIP Gary Coleman. Diff'rent Strokes was a huge part of my childhood. My prayers are w/his family & friends-you'll truly be missed Gary..."

Ashton Kutcher kept his thoughts bright on Coleman's death, pledging: "I will always be a fan!" Others, including Alyssa Milano, Ken Jeong and Nick Frost kept their messages simple with "R.I.P." tweets. Olivia Wilde also dropped an R.I.P. into her posts, adding, "Poor Gary Coleman. Hope it was painless."

Kevin Smith may have summed up his feelings most eloquently, referencing one of Coleman's best-known "Strokes" episodes. "Fare thee well, Mr. Coleman," the director tweeted. "As Arnold, you taught us how to say no to pederast bike dealers. But as Gary, you taught us size doesn't matter."

[catlover79]

Not only did Gary Coleman and Janet Jackson appear on DS together, they first acted opposite each other on a couple of episodes of Good Times. Janet, of course, was a regular as Penny Woods and Gary guested a couple of times as a neighborhood kid.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Not only did Gary Coleman and Janet Jackson appear on DS together, they first acted opposite each other on a couple of episodes of Good Times. Janet, of course, was a regular as Penny Woods and Gary guested a couple of times as a neighborhood kid.

I remember that. Gary stole that show. He also was on an episode of the Jeffersons as George's nephew. He was the son of Henry Jefferson who had been on AITF. He was great in that episode too.

[MikeLutton]

need link to facebook fan page to add my condelcenses

[Austin Tripper]

Funny when all these kind of actors die, corey haim, john rittter, etc.. a week,month, year & decade before their dead all these known celebrities never think to give these people work.

as soon as they die or see the dead star is getting press they quickly comment so THEY can get THIER names in the paper.

Most of these people didn't care. I saw the samething with Corey Haim & John Ritter, we see directors, A List stars talking about them when their dead. Why didnt you write them a part? Why didnt you use your A List status to get them work??

all a joke.


A-List Whores jumping on the bandwagon to get some press for their own name, nothing more...nothing less.

[Retro4Life]

One can only imagine how Conrad Bain, who must be in his late 80s by now, must feel having two of his young co stars already passed. By all accounts he seems to be a wonderful gentleman and I'd imagine there'd be a huge sense of loss and sorrow.

I don't know what to think about this story. I keep thinking how so many of these stars that die young are like geniuses who burn their light for us brightly but the cost for that genius is often a very short and tragic life.

Better all of them had been waitresses or factory workers, or worked in a field than live this life that is almost certain to distort their reality.

I LOVE TV, like everyone else here, but I really wonder if kids just shouldn't be stars...period.

[Just My Show]

Mary Joe Catlett, who played Pearl on Diff'rent Strokes, shared these comments with me...

http://justmyshow.blogspot.com/2010/...as-joy-to.html

[JT]

Originally Posted by Austin Tripper

Funny when all these kind of actors die, corey haim, john rittter, etc.. a week,month, year & decade before their dead all these known celebrities never think to give these people work.

as soon as they die or see the dead star is getting press they quickly comment so THEY can get THIER names in the paper.

Most of these people didn't care. I saw the samething with Corey Haim & John Ritter, we see directors, A List stars talking about them when their dead. Why didnt you write them a part? Why didnt you use your A List status to get them work??

all a joke.


A-List Whores jumping on the bandwagon to get some press for their own name, nothing more...nothing less.

Wow. First of all, Corey Haim was strung out on drugs at the time of his death, so no one was going to hire him for any roles because that's just an unwritten rule in the world of film and television. You can't have your stars strung out on drugs. Second of all, John Ritter? Died whilst in the middle of taping a new episode of his hit network sitcom. Third of all, most of the people who have made comments are actors, how are they supposed to "write parts" for people? Fourth of all, these are all from Twitter! These people happened to be fans of Gary, just like the rest of us, and wanted to voice their condolescences, just like many other fans have. I fail to see what's so attention whorish about that. They didn't go to the press to make a statement nor did they ask for the press to print their Twitter comments, I'm sure.

I do think it's ridiculous when the media has nothing but negative things to say about someone in the years they are alive but then try to be all reverent of the same person the moment that they die (same thing happened with Michael Jackson, same thing happened with Anna Nicole Smith), and the moment I read about Gary's death, I knew that's how it was gonna be. But, really, I think it's terribly unfair to label these people "A list whores." They're his fans just like we are.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

One can only imagine how Conrad Bain, who must be in his late 80s by now, must feel having two of his young co stars already passed. By all accounts he seems to be a wonderful gentleman and I'd imagine there'd be a huge sense of loss and sorrow.

I don't know what to think about this story. I keep thinking how so many of these stars that die young are like geniuses who burn their light for us brightly but the cost for that genius is often a very short and tragic life.

Better all of them had been waitresses or factory workers, or worked in a field than live this life that is almost certain to distort their reality.

I LOVE TV, like everyone else here, but I really wonder if kids just shouldn't be stars...period.

I was thinking the same thing about Conrad Bain. He is 87 and retired from acting now. Not only have two of his young co-stars died, but so did the real-life child of one of them via suicide. How terrible he must feel.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Just My Show

Mary Joe Catlett, who played Pearl on Diff'rent Strokes, shared these comments with me...

http://justmyshow.blogspot.com/2010/...as-joy-to.html

Thanks for sharing!!

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Alison Arngrim (Little House on the Prairie), Susan Olsen (The Brady Bunch), and Susan Buckner (Grease) are some other celebs who have added their condolences on Facebook.

Here are some of Susan Olsen and Alison Arngrim's comments on FB re: Gary.

Fri, May 28, 2010 3:39:38 PM
Susan Olsen...
"Poor guy, he never really got the good life he earned and had stolen from him."

Fri, May 28, 2010 4:24:55 PM
Susan Olsen...
"The bitterness didn't serve him well but he was more than willing to drop it if given a chance to do what he was good at: perform. He loved to entertain. No doubt he was allowed to be a total brat on the set. His pimp parents cared little about raising a human being. He never lost his talent but he lost opportunities due to many things that may not have been his fault at all. I didn't know him well but I always got the impression that he was a much better person and talent than he was given credit for. Fame without fortune sucks. But it would be so much worse if you USED to have a fortune. It's wrong of me to speculate too much because I don't know about his life. He was always nice to me."

Fri, May 28, 2010 4:33:19 PM
Alison Arngrim...
"Worked with him a few times...a good man, funny, very intelligent..BUT, SO depressed and unhappy. Very frustrated with his life. I tried to cheer him up and talk to him about his situation...to no avail. Always alone, sitting in a corner, saying things like "I'm not an actor", "I'm just here for the money" and other sad, self-denigrating things. I have to ask - Putting a child with a serious kidney disorder to work: what the hell were his parents thinking?"

Fri, May 28, 2010 4:41:02 PM
Susan Olsen...
"Oh Alison, I always thought that. And many times when he was being "difficult" on the set, he really felt ill. There's even been some speculation that his condition was made far worse because he never got the medical care he needed when he was young. That's just criminal."

Fri, May 28, 2010 5:36:49 PM
Susan Olsen...
"Gary's experience was the total opposite of mine. With six kids, nobody dared to disobey the child welfare laws. Also the BB set was totally foused on being kid friendly. We were never overworked but we were also never catered to. Gary and I were on a show together and he was going on about how it was to be a little kid and have people catering to his every whim and he's looking at me for my agreement and I'm like "Whatchoo talkin bout Gary?". My experience was far better, I would much rather be worked humane hours and learn to get my own lunch!"

Fri, May 28, 2010 5:50:47 PM
Susan Olsen...
"The awful thing about fame without fortune is there is no consolation for a line that you are told to repeat all your life. Lots of people can get sick of things and feel type cast but if it's making them money, it's OK. It made him noting so his trip was to refuse to say the line unless paid. It is understandable. TOTALLY but it will never look good on a person. I get sick of Brady stuff especially when I don't make money off it, but acting bitter is never ever going to play well. But that's easier for me to say because I had a very happy childhood. I woud think the kind of resentment Gary had was totally justifiable - but it's still a dead end emotion."

[Marvo301]

Originally Posted by Just My Show

Mary Joe Catlett, who played Pearl on Diff'rent Strokes, shared these comments with me...

http://justmyshow.blogspot.com/2010/...as-joy-to.html

What a sweet tribute to Gary! It's a shame we didn't get to see more of this side of Gary during his lifetime.

[faraj]

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

http://blog.al.com/scenesource/2010/...iffrent_s.html

* Todd Bridges, who played “Willis” on the show, told the Associated Press: "It's unfortunate. It's a sad day. It's sad that I'm the last kid alive from the show." (AP)

One thing wrong with that line that I've seen in other sources too. There is still another kid alive in the show besides Todd. What about Danny Cooksey (Sam)? He was a DS kid too. I know he didn't come until season 6 when Drummond remarried to Maggie (the late Dixie Carter and then later Mary Ann Mobley), but he was still a DS kid.