June Carter Cash
Musical Monikers
Madonna
Justin Bieber
My Ghost Story
I Survived
Babe Ruth
Johnny Cash
Georgia O'Keefe
I Survived
Quick Facts
- NAME: Gary Coleman
- OCCUPATION: Television Actor, Reality Television Star
- BIRTH DATE: February 08, 1968
- DEATH DATE: May 28, 2010
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Zion, Illinois
- PLACE OF DEATH: Provo, Utah
- Full Name: Gary Wayne Coleman
- AKA: Gary Coleman
Best Known For
Diminutive television star Gary Coleman made "What'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?" a household catch-phrase in the 1980s.
Videos see all videos
-
Gary Coleman - Full Episode (42:59)
-
Dana Plato - Full Biography (45:21)
Dana Plato - Full Biography
Best-known for playing Kimberly Drummond on "Diff'rent Strokes" as a teenager, Dana Plato was fired from the show and struggled with drugs and alcohol. She died of an overdose at the age of 35.
Quiz
Think you know about Biography?
Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.
Play NowGary Coleman. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 10:03, May 24, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/gary-coleman-15720749.
Gary Coleman. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/gary-coleman-15720749 [Accessed 24 May 2013].
"Gary Coleman." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 24 2013, 10:03 http://www.biography.com/people/gary-coleman-15720749.
"Gary Coleman," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/gary-coleman-15720749 [accessed May 24, 2013].
"Gary Coleman," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/gary-coleman-15720749 (accessed May 24, 2013).
Gary Coleman [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 24] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/gary-coleman-15720749.
Gary Coleman, http://www.biography.com/people/gary-coleman-15720749 (last visited May 24, 2013).
Gary Coleman. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/gary-coleman-15720749. Accessed May 24, 2013.
Coleman, nearly 18 years old at the time, discovered only $220,000. The discovery resulted in a tangled lawsuit against his parents and his agent for misappropriation of his trust fund. Although he won the suit, Coleman saw little of his initial salary, receiving only $3.8 million.
Personal Issues
Coleman struggled with depression after the settlement, later admitting that he attempted suicide several times. The former star went into semi-retirement, bouncing from Colorado and then to Arizona. When he couldn't find acting work, Coleman took on work as a security guard. Money became tight, and Coleman filed for bankruptcy in 1999. He continued to make cameos in TV shows, including Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Married with Children, and The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show.
As Coleman matured, he became known for his hot temper, which resulted in several high-profile assault cases. In 1998, he was charged with assault after allegedly punching a woman who sought an autograph from the actor. He pleaded "no contest" to the charge, and was ordered to pay the victim's hospital bills. In July 2007, Coleman was again arrested, this time for disorderly conduct when a heated argument with his girlfriend, actress Shannon Price, got out of control. Despite their difficulties, the couple wed secretly in August of that same year. But by 2008, they were already having marital problems. They headed to TV's Divorce Court to settle their issues, airing their grievances for rapt audiences in May of 2008. The couple would stay together and, a year later, they were again embroiled in a domestic dispute. Both parties were cited for disorderly conduct. But these conflicts with the law didn't resonate with Coleman, and in 2010 he was charged with domestic violence again, and placed in jail overnight.
Health Problems
Coleman has also made headlines recently for his failing health. He suffered a seizure on the set of The Insider on February 26, 2010. Then, on May 26, 2010, he was admitted to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah, after a fall in his home. Gary Coleman died on May 28, 2010, at the age of 42, after suffering from an intracranial hemorrhage in Provo, Utah.
© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.
profile name: Gary Coleman profile occupation:
Your Connections
Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.
Profile Connections
Included In These Groups
-
Where Are They Now
View groupThis group features some of our most beloved child stars. From the adorable kids of E.T., to the infamous 80s 'Brat Pack,' these young performers captured our hearts with their unforgettable characters. While many have flourished into some of the most successful actors in the business, others have faded out of the spotlight. Here we look at the group of stars who wowed us with their young talent, and remain as some of our favorite characters of all time. Plus, it's fun to see who they were then, and who they are now... check out our Where Are They Now photo gallery!
Where Are They Now 31 people in this group
-
Child Stars
View groupChild stars are the pint-sized actors we've watched grow up on screen. These talented actors began their careers and traversed the triumphs and pitfalls of fame at an early age. While some child stars, like Sarah Jessica Parker and Natalie Portman, have continued their success into adulthood, others have been plagued by troubles following their early fame. Here's a look at some of the actors who made it big when they were kids.
Child Stars 36 people in this group
-
Famous Aquarians 552 people in this group
