What Happened With the DS kids... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

mimi75042 · 03-18-2003, 05:13 PM

Does anyone know what happened with the cast of Different Strokes? I always heard that Arnold, Willis, and Kimberly had made some bad decisions when they were making the series of DS in their real life. I think that Gary Coleman had problems with his parents, Dana Plato was either on drugs or pregnant, and I don't really remember what was going on with Todd Bridges. Does anyone know the Truth about these people?

Brad Russ · 03-19-2003, 02:09 AM

Yeah the DS cast went through some terrible times after the show went off the air. Dana Plato did indeed become pregnant while still working on the show. Because of this she was kicked of the show for about a season before rejoining the cast off and on in the shows final season. In the early 90's Dana was heavily into drugs and alcohol to the point that drugs and alcohol became her obsession. She even robbed a video store in the early 90's for a couple hundred bucks most likely so she could buy more drugs. She died in 1998, or 1999, a day after being mocked and ridiculed by Howard Stern, and many of his listeners. The report I heard was that her death was a suicide, but Iv'e heard a few conflicting reports.

Todd Bridges life wasn't any easier after the show ended. Infact at one point he was involved in some South Central Los Angeles murder. I believe he was accused of murder, but he was not convicted. Todd was also heavily into drugs, only he got started in drugs while DS was still on the air. I believe of all the DS cast, Todd has been in the most trouble with the law. Also Todd revealed once that he was molested as a kid, so it certainly hasn't been an easy life for him. Recently though his life seems to have gotten much better as he has a part time role on the hit soap Opera The Young And The Restless. From what Iv'e heard, and seen he seems pretty happy at the moment.

As for Gary Coleman his life as well has been quite difficult. Apparentaly Gary hated working on the show, and believes that DS ruined his childhood. To this day he hates hearing anything about the show, and has even said a few times that he refuses to take part in anything to do with DS. Although most all of the appearances he does these days has something to do with the show. You are indeed right about Gary and his problem with his parents. He even took them to court one time and accused them of mishandling his money as a kid, and because of that he ended up broke. At one point he was working as a security guard. Gary has also had some trouble with the law, although not nearly as seriously as Dana, or Todd had. A couple years ago he was on one of those silly tv court shows and was accused of punching some female fan who asked for his autograph. I believe he lost the case, and had to pay a little money. According to Gary, these days he is pretty much a recluse. He basically spends most of his time at home playing video games, and working on his online company, and is desperately doing everything he can to get back on tv without being typecast.

That's pretty much all I know about the lives of the D.S. cast. Maybe somebody else can give you some more info.

JethroSimpson · 03-19-2003, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mimi75042
Does anyone know what happened with the cast of Different Strokes? I always heard that Arnold, Willis, and Kimberly had made some bad decisions when they were making the series of DS in their real life. I think that Gary Coleman had problems with his parents, Dana Plato was either on drugs or pregnant, and I don't really remember what was going on with Todd Bridges. Does anyone know the Truth about these people?

mdntrider7 has given some good info there, but also if you check the Sitcomsonline DS site there is further info on each cast member.

mimi75042 · 03-19-2003, 10:37 AM

I really appreciate it. I wasn't quite sure what had happened to them. I kept hearing about specials talking about the cast members and I never really had anytime to watch any of them, so I wasn't sure of what was going on. Another thing, I didn't know that Howard Stern was mocking Dana Plato on his show. That's very sad, and then to think that she died afterwards by either commiting suicide. I really don't know how and why she died, but it's really sad that she had to die that way, especially with leaving a son behind. Thanks again for all of the information. It's greatly appreciated.

Brad Russ · 03-20-2003, 03:25 AM

You're welcome. I'm glad to help!

03-18-2003, 05:13 PM	#1
mimi75042 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 13, 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 109	What Happened With the DS kids... Does anyone know what happened with the cast of Different Strokes? I always heard that Arnold, Willis, and Kimberly had made some bad decisions when they were making the series of DS in their real life. I think that Gary Coleman had problems with his parents, Dana Plato was either on drugs or pregnant, and I don't really remember what was going on with Todd Bridges. Does anyone know the Truth about these people?

03-19-2003, 02:09 AM	#2
Brad Russ Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	Yeah the DS cast went through some terrible times after the show went off the air. Dana Plato did indeed become pregnant while still working on the show. Because of this she was kicked of the show for about a season before rejoining the cast off and on in the shows final season. In the early 90's Dana was heavily into drugs and alcohol to the point that drugs and alcohol became her obsession. She even robbed a video store in the early 90's for a couple hundred bucks most likely so she could buy more drugs. She died in 1998, or 1999, a day after being mocked and ridiculed by Howard Stern, and many of his listeners. The report I heard was that her death was a suicide, but Iv'e heard a few conflicting reports. Todd Bridges life wasn't any easier after the show ended. Infact at one point he was involved in some South Central Los Angeles murder. I believe he was accused of murder, but he was not convicted. Todd was also heavily into drugs, only he got started in drugs while DS was still on the air. I believe of all the DS cast, Todd has been in the most trouble with the law. Also Todd revealed once that he was molested as a kid, so it certainly hasn't been an easy life for him. Recently though his life seems to have gotten much better as he has a part time role on the hit soap Opera The Young And The Restless. From what Iv'e heard, and seen he seems pretty happy at the moment. As for Gary Coleman his life as well has been quite difficult. Apparentaly Gary hated working on the show, and believes that DS ruined his childhood. To this day he hates hearing anything about the show, and has even said a few times that he refuses to take part in anything to do with DS. Although most all of the appearances he does these days has something to do with the show. You are indeed right about Gary and his problem with his parents. He even took them to court one time and accused them of mishandling his money as a kid, and because of that he ended up broke. At one point he was working as a security guard. Gary has also had some trouble with the law, although not nearly as seriously as Dana, or Todd had. A couple years ago he was on one of those silly tv court shows and was accused of punching some female fan who asked for his autograph. I believe he lost the case, and had to pay a little money. According to Gary, these days he is pretty much a recluse. He basically spends most of his time at home playing video games, and working on his online company, and is desperately doing everything he can to get back on tv without being typecast. That's pretty much all I know about the lives of the D.S. cast. Maybe somebody else can give you some more info.
	__________________ St. John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Currently my favorite song.

03-19-2003, 10:37 AM	#4
mimi75042 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 13, 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 109	Thanks.... I really appreciate it. I wasn't quite sure what had happened to them. I kept hearing about specials talking about the cast members and I never really had anytime to watch any of them, so I wasn't sure of what was going on. Another thing, I didn't know that Howard Stern was mocking Dana Plato on his show. That's very sad, and then to think that she died afterwards by either commiting suicide. I really don't know how and why she died, but it's really sad that she had to die that way, especially with leaving a son behind. Thanks again for all of the information. It's greatly appreciated.

03-20-2003, 03:25 AM	#5
Brad Russ Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	You're welcome. I'm glad to help!