Editing Gary Coleman

{{Short description|American actor (1968–2010)}}
{{other people}}
{{Distinguish|Gary Oldman|Gary Cole|Gary Goldman}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Gary Coleman
| image              = GaryColemanE3May05.jpg
| caption            = Coleman in 2005
| birth_name         = Gary Wayne Coleman
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1968|2|8}}
| birth_place        = [[Zion, Illinois]], U.S.
| death_date         = {{death date and age|2010|5|28|1968|2|8|mf=yes}}
| death_place        = [[Provo, Utah]], U.S.
| occupation         = Actor
| years_active       = 1974–2010
| spouse             = {{marriage|Shannon Price|2007|2008|end={{Abbr|div.|divorced}}}}
| partner            = Shannon Price (2008–2010)
| signature          =
| works              = [[Gary Coleman filmography|Full list]]
}}
'''Gary Wayne Coleman''' (February 8, 1968 – May 28, 2010) was an American actor, known as a high-profile child star of the late 1970s and 1980s. Born in [[Zion, Illinois]], Coleman grew up with his adopted parents, and a [[kidney]] disease; due to the [[corticosteroid]]s and other medications used to treat it, his growth was limited to {{cvt|4|ft|8|in|cm}}. In the mid-1970s, he appeared in commercials and acted in an episode of ''[[Medical Center (TV series)|Medical Center]]''. He caught the attention of a producer after acting in a pilot for a revival of ''[[The Little Rascals]]'' (1977), who decided to cast him as [[Arnold Jackson (character)|Arnold Jackson]] in the sitcom ''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]'' (1978–1986), a role which launched Coleman into stardom. For playing the role of Arnold, he received several accolades, which include two [[Young Artist Award]]s; in 1980 for [[Young Artist Award|Outstanding Contribution to Youth Through Entertainment]] and in 1982 for Best Young Actor in a Comedy Series; and three [[People's Choice Awards]]; a consecutive three wins for [[People's Choice Awards|Favorite Young TV Performer]] from 1980 to 1983; as well as nominations for two [[TV Land Award]]s. He was rated first on a list of [[VH1]]'s "100 Greatest Kid Stars", and an influential child actor.

Coleman was the highest-paid child actor on television throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. During his prime, he reprised the role of Jackson in ''[[Hello, Larry]]'' (1979), ''[[The Facts of Life (TV series)|The Facts of Life]]'' (1979–1980) and ''[[Silver Spoons]]'' (1982), and ''[[Amazing Stories (1985 TV series)|Amazing Stories]]'' (1985). He acted in high-profile television series such as ''[[The Jeffersons]]'' (1978), ''[[Good Times]]'' (1978), ''[[Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)|Buck Rogers in the 25th Century]]'' (1979–1980), and ''[[Simon & Simon]]'' (1986). He starred in the television films ''[[The Kid from Left Field (1979 film)|The Kid from Left Field]]'' (1979), ''[[Scout's Honor (film)|Scout's Honor]]'' (1980), ''[[The Kid with the Broken Halo]]'' (1982), ''[[The Kid with the 200 I.Q.]]'' (1983), ''The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins'' (1984), and ''[[Playing with Fire (1985 film)|Playing with Fire]]'' (1985). Additionally, he was the star of his own Saturday morning cartoon ''[[The Gary Coleman Show]]'' (1982). He also headlined two motion pictures, ''[[On the Right Track]]'' (1981) and ''[[Jimmy the Kid]]'' (1982), both financial successes.

Coleman struggled financially in later life; in 1989, he successfully sued his parents and business adviser over misappropriation of his assets, only to declare bankruptcy a decade later. Very few details of Coleman's medical history have been made public, although his battles with issues such as [[growth deficiency]], [[substance abuse]], and [[Depression (mood)|depression]] during his life earned significant media coverage. Moving forward, a lot of his acting career consisted of him playing himself in guest appearances on television shows and films. He played roles in various television shows and films, which were rarely recurring roles. He also provided his acting talents to two video games, ''[[The Curse of Monkey Island]]'' (1997) and ''[[Postal 2]]'' (2003).

Coleman died at [[Utah Valley Regional Medical Center]] in [[Provo, Utah]], on May 28, 2010, aged 42. He had been admitted two days earlier after falling down the stairs at his home in [[Santaquin]] and striking his head, resulting in an [[epidural hematoma]].

== Early life ==
Gary Wayne Coleman was born<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/obituaries/Obituary-Gary-Coleman-actor.6329572.jp |title=Scotsman obituary |publisher=News.scotsman.com |date= May 31, 2010|access-date=August 11, 2010 |location=Edinburgh}}</ref> in [[Zion, Illinois]], on February 8, 1968. He was adopted by W. G. Coleman, a fork-lift operator, and Edmonia Sue, a [[nurse practitioner]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/21/Gary-Coleman.html |title=Gary Coleman Biography (1968–) |publisher=Filmreference.com |access-date=May 28, 2010}}</ref> Due to [[focal segmental glomerulosclerosis]], a [[kidney]] disease, and the [[corticosteroid]]s and other medications used to treat it, his growth was limited to {{cvt|4|ft|8|in|cm}},<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-may-29-la-me-gary-coleman-20100529-story.html |title=Gary Coleman dies at 42; child star of hit sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes' |first=Dennis |last=McLellan |date=May 29, 2010 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=July 21, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=New Details in Gary Coleman's Death|website=abcactionnews.com|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/entertainment/new-details-in-gary-coleman's-death-revealed-in-911-call|url-status=dead|access-date=July 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606183204/http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/entertainment/new-details-in-gary-coleman%27s-death-revealed-in-911-call|archive-date=June 6, 2010}}</ref> and his face kept a childlike appearance even into adulthood. He underwent two unsuccessful [[Kidney transplantation|kidney transplants]] in 1973 and again in 1984, and required [[Kidney dialysis|dialysis]].<ref name="thewrap2">Horowitz, Lisa. {{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/gary-coleman-dead-42-17857|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530053351/http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/gary-coleman-dead-42-17857|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 30, 2010|title=Gary Coleman Dead at 42|date=May 28, 2010|work=[[The Wrap]]}}</ref>

== Career ==
=== 1974–1978: Early works to breakthrough ===
In 1974, Coleman's career began when he appeared in a commercial for [[BMO Harris Bank|Harris Bank]]. His line (after the announcer said, "You should have a Harris banker") was "You should have a Hubert doll."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_vQ98mLpdg Gary Coleman's first television commercial: Harris Bank (1974)]</ref> "Hubert" was a stuffed lion representing the Harris bank logo.<ref name="Careerstart">{{cite news|last=Hayward|first=Anthony|date=June 1, 2010|title=Gary Coleman: Child star of the television sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes' who faced legal and personal problems in later life – Obituaries – News|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/gary-coleman-child-star-of-the-television-sitcom-diffrent-strokes-who-faced-legal-and-personal-problems-in-later-life-1987910.html|url-status=dead|access-date=January 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925110408/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/gary-coleman-child-star-of-the-television-sitcom-diffrent-strokes-who-faced-legal-and-personal-problems-in-later-life-1987910.html|archive-date=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=May 28, 2010|title='Diff'rent Strokes' child star, Zion, Ill. native Gary Coleman dead at 42 – Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2010/05/28/diffrent-strokes-child-star-zion-ill-native-gary-coleman-dead-at-42/|access-date=January 4, 2012|publisher=Articles.chicagotribune.com}}</ref> The same year, he appeared in an episode of ''[[Medical Center (TV series)|Medical Center]]''.<ref name="Careerstart" />
[[File:On the set of Diff'rent Strokes (39256460980).jpg|thumb|[[Conrad Bain]] and Coleman on the set of ''Diff'rent Strokes'']]
In 1977, Coleman appeared in a pilot for a revival of ''[[The Little Rascals]]'' as Stymie, which ultimately ended up not getting picked up as a series.<ref name="CNN-2010">[http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/28/obit.gary.coleman/index.html {{" '}}Diff'rent Strokes actor Gary Coleman dies at 42."] CNN May 28, 2010, article added May 28, 2010.</ref><ref name="Me-TV-2018">{{Cite web|title=10 things you never knew about 'Diff'rent Strokes'|url=https://www.metv.com/lists/10-things-you-never-knew-about-diffrent-strokes|access-date=August 23, 2020|website=Me-TV Network|language=en}}</ref> His work on the ''Little Rascals'' pilot caught the attention of an executive,<ref name="Me-TV-2018" /> and in 1978 Coleman was cast as [[Arnold Jackson (character)|Arnold Jackson]] in ''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]'', playing one of two black brothers from [[Harlem]] adopted by a wealthy white widower in [[Manhattan]].<ref name="Me-TV-2018" /> After the premiere, ''Diff'rent Strokes'' became a hit, and ran for 8 seasons, ending in 1986.

=== 1979–1986: Subsequent success ===
Coleman received recognition and praise for his work on ''Diff'rent Strokes''; for his role he received five [[Young Artist Award]] nominations, of which he won two, and won the [[People's Choice Awards]] for Favorite Young TV Performer four years in a row, from 1980 to 1983.<ref name="CNN-2010" /> At the height of his fame on ''Diff'rent Strokes'', he earned $100,000 ($388,105.58 in 2025) per episode, and he became known by his character's [[catchphrase]] "What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?", uttered skeptically in response to statements by his brother Willis, who was portrayed by [[Todd Bridges]]. According to Bridges' autobiography ''Killing Willis'', Coleman was forced to work long hours on the set of ''Diff'rent Strokes'' despite his age and debilitating health problems, which contributed to him feeling depressed and withdrawn from the rest of the cast.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bridges|first=Todd|url=https://archive.org/details/killingwillisfro0000brid|title=Killing Willis|publisher=Atria Books|year=2010|isbn=978-1-4391-4898-3|url-access=registration}}</ref> A [[Biography Channel]] documentary estimated that Coleman was left with a quarter of the original amount of money he received from his years on ''Diff'rent Strokes'' after paying his parents, advisers, lawyers, and taxes.<ref>{{cite episode|title=''Gilligan's Island'' & ''Diff'rent Strokes''|series=The Truth Behind the Sitcom Scandals|network=[[The Biography Channel]]|date=April 15, 2008|season=1|number=5}}</ref> In 1989, Coleman sued his adoptive parents and former business advisor for $3.8&nbsp;million for misappropriating his trust fund<ref>{{cite web|date=June 29, 1999|title=Former Child Star Central|url=http://members.tripod.com/~former_child_star/news_1999.html|access-date=May 28, 2010|website=Members.tripod.com}}</ref><ref name="TDG">{{cite news|date=February 25, 1993|title=Gary Coleman awarded $1.3M|work=[[The Daily Gazette]]|agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-hYxAAAAIBAJ&pg=4011,5595796|access-date=May 28, 2010}}</ref> and won a $1.28 million (approximately $2,846,895 in 2025 adjusting for inflation) judgment in 1993.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 15, 1993|title=Actor Gary Coleman wins $1.3&nbsp;million in suit against his parents and ex-adviser|work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xboDAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Actor+Gary+Coleman+wins+%241.3+million+in+suit+against+his+parents+and+ex-adviser%22&pg=PA35}}</ref>

In 1978, Coleman acted in one episode of ''[[The Jeffersons]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Jeffersons |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-jeffersons/episodes-season-4/1030002522/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> and two of ''[[Good Times]]''.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}  [[File:ColemanSpencerFields80.jpg|left|thumb|Coleman accepting an [[NAACP Image Awards|NAACP Image Award]] for [[The Kid from Left Field (1979 film)|''The Kid from Left Field'']] in 1980, pictured alongside [[Danielle Spencer (American actress)|Danielle Spencer]] and [[Kim Fields]]|200x200px]]In 1979, Coleman made his [[television film]] debut playing the lead in ''[[The Kid from Left Field (1979 film)|The Kid from Left Field]],'' a baseball comedy. The television film was made by NBC to enhance Coleman's name recognition and boost his commercial value.<ref name="SIone">Pearlman, Jeff (11 June 2010). [https://www.si.com/more-sports/2010/06/11/coleman Remembering Gary Coleman as The Kid From Left Field], ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''</ref> It was the 15th highest-rated prime time show of the week, with a [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen rating]] of 21.4.<ref name="ratings">Brown, Les. (3 October 1979). [https://www.nytimes.com/1979/10/03/archives/nbc-a-close-2d-to-abc-in-tv-ratings-fight-carries-friday-night.html?_r=0 NBC a Close 2d to ABC in TV Ratings], ''[[The New York Times]]''</ref>

In that same year, he acted in "Cosmic Whiz Kid" an episode of the first season of science-fiction show ''[[Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)|Buck Rogers in the 25th Century]]'' as a time-displaced whiz kid; and appeared later in that season, in a 1980 episode named "A Blast for Buck".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buck Rogers in the 25th Century |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/buck-rogers-in-the-25th-century/episodes-season-1/1000004826/ |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 1980, Coleman played the lead in the television film [[Scout's Honor (1980 film)|''Scout's Honor'']].<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 30, 1980 |title=Television |work=Fort Lauderdale News |pages=12}}</ref>

In 1981, Coleman made his feature film debut with the comedy ''[[On the Right Track]]'', headlining as Lester, a young shoeshine orphan who lives in a locker in a train station, who achieves fame for having an uncanny talent for gambling on horses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/56670 |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> Coleman's mother explained that "it was a script written some time ago for someone else, it was rewritten for Gary reconstructed for him. It was one of several ideas presented us for him. Gary has a very big love for trains, and we thought this might be a good one for him to do".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blank |first=Ed |date=June 18, 1981 |title=Gary Coleman: Making it in Hollywood's fast track |work=The Pittsburgh Press |pages=D-3}}</ref> Though it received a number of reviews concluding that it was sappy and capitalizing on Coleman's TV following, many found the film charming, well written, well acted, with Coleman being a solid actor in his first lead role in a motion picture.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Siskel |first=Gene |date=July 13, 1981 |title='On the Right Track' is just that a truly charming Chicago movie |work=Chicago Tribune |pages=Section 2–4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |title=On the Right Track movie review (1981) {{!}} Roger Ebert |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/on-the-right-track-1981 |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=www.rogerebert.com/ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Kevin |date=August 28, 1981 |title='On right track' is, generally |work=The Los Angeles Times |pages=Part VI - 12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lawson |first=Terry |date=August 24, 1981 |title=Half-pint actor not half bad |work=The Journal Herald |pages=19}}</ref><ref name="newhouse">Freedman, Richard (9 October 1981). [https://archive.org/stream/The_Times_News_Idaho_Newspaper_1981_10_09#page/n15/mode/2up 'On the Right Track' derailed by thin plot that goes nowhere], ''Times-News'' (Idaho)(Newhouse News Service copy)</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Blowen |first=Michael |date=April 21, 1981 |title='Right Track,' wrong direction |work=The Boston Globe |pages=59}}</ref><ref name="maslin">[[Janet Maslin|Maslin, Janet]] (18 July 1981). [https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C01E0DF153BF93BA25754C0A967948260 'Track', Vehicle for Middle-Aged Child Star], ''[[The New York Times]]'' ("''On the Right Track'' is a vehicle for Mr. Coleman that depends entirely on the premise that he is lovable. Only his most ardent television fans are likely to accept this.")</ref><ref name="ottreview">Labonté, Richard (11 July 1981). [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rKMyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4u4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3002,165038 Young TV Favorite Stars in Real Movie], ''[[Ottawa Citizen]]''</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gerald |first=Zenobia Jonell |date=August 31, 1981 |title=Gary Coleman's Film Debut loaded With Appeal |work=The Sacramento Bee |pages=B7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Patrice |date=April 15, 1981 |title=Pace puts 'Track' on right one |work=The Evansville Courier |pages=21}}</ref> The film was a financial success, it grossed 13 million at the box office ranking it at 61 on highest grosses of that year. On home-video rentals that film added 10 to 15 millions to their revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Numbers - Top-Grossing Movies of 1981 |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/market/1981/top-grossing-movies |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=The Numbers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Caulfield |first=Deborah |date=March 4, 1984 |title=New World retains old Corman tradition |work=The San Francisco Examiner |pages=Film: 28–29–30}}</ref>

In 1982, Coleman starred in ''[[Jimmy the Kid]].'' The film was financially successful,<ref>{{Cite book|isbn=978-1936168422|title=Mind Warp!: The Fantastic True Story of Roger Corman's New World Pictures|last1=Koetting|first1=Christopher T.|date=November 25, 2013|publisher=Midnight Marquee Press, Incorporated }}</ref> but received resoundingly negative reviews,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1-IpAAAAIBAJ&pg=3081,2511491|title=Daytona Beach Morning Journal |via= Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com|access-date=March 11, 2020}}</ref> with critic [[Roger Ebert]] writing "... movies like this don't really have room for brilliant performances. They're written by formula, cast by computer and directed by the book, and when a little spontaneity creeps in, it seems out of place."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=Jimmy the Kid movie review & film summary (1982) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/jimmy-the-kid-1982|access-date=August 23, 2020|website=rogerebert.com/|language=en}}</ref>

On April 4 of that year, Coleman starred in the television film ''[[The Kid with the Broken Halo]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 4, 1982 |title=The Kid With The Broken Halo |work=The San Bernardino County Sun |pages=TV Week: 15}}</ref> The film served as the basis for Saturday morning cartoon ''[[The Gary Coleman Show]],'' which started that year on September 11,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 10, 1982 |title=Help from an angel |work=The Newark Advocate |pages=Entertainer: 3}}</ref> where Coleman had the lead voice role as Andy LeBeau, an angel in training who comes to earth to help others and gain his wings.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 1982 |title=Angel earns his wings |work=Florence Morning News |pages=TV Showtime: 4}}</ref>

Finally in 1982, Coleman played Arnold Jackson in a crossover episode of ''[[Silver Spoons]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 31, 1982 |title=Young star get together in a show |work=The State |pages=Tv weekly: 11}}</ref>

Moving forward, Coleman played the lead in the comedic television films ''[[The Kid with the 200 I.Q.]]'' (1983),<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 6, 1983 |title=Movies |work=The Times-Mail |pages=Section C: 2}}</ref> and ''The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins'' (1984).<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 10, 1984 |title=Friday's TV Program |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |pages=19}}</ref>

In 1985, Coleman played a teenage arsonist in the television film ''[[Playing with Fire (1985 film)|Playing with Fire]]'', it was his first dramatic project.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 10, 1985 |title=Sunday |work=The Chilliwack Progress |pages=12D}}</ref>

In 1986, Coleman hosted the made-for-home video educational film ''Gary Coleman: For Safety's Sake'', in it Coleman provides various safety advice around a home.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Deeb |first=Gary |date=August 12, 1986 |title='Vice' tactics fails for 'Hunter' |work=The Burlington Free Press |pages=4D}}</ref>

=== 1987–2010: Hiatus and return to acting ===
When ''Diff'rent Strokes'' was cancelled in 1986 due to low ratings, Coleman went on a hiatus and just like his Diff’rent Strokes co-stars struggled with finding acting roles.

From thereon, the majority of Coleman's adult roles were single appearances in television episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 1, 2010 |title=Gary Coleman: Child star of the television sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes' |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/gary-coleman-child-star-of-the-television-sitcom-diffrent-strokes-who-faced-legal-and-personal-1987910.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616042138/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/gary-coleman-child-star-of-the-television-sitcom-diff-rent-strokes-who-faced-legal-and-personal-problems-in-later-life-1987910.html |archive-date=June 16, 2024 |access-date=August 23, 2020 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> He played himself in ''[[The Ben Stiller Show]], [[The Jackie Thomas Show]], [[Sherman Oaks (TV series)|Sherman Oaks]], [[The Parent 'Hood]], [[The Wayans Bros.]], [[The Naked Truth (TV series)|The Naked Truth]], [[Shasta McNasty]], [[The Simpsons]], [[My Wife and Kids]], [[The Hughleys]], [[Baby Bob]], [[The Parkers]],'' and ''[[Drake & Josh]].'' Shows where he played a character were [[227 (TV series)|''227'']], [[Martin (TV series)|''Martin'']], ''[[Unhappily Ever After]]'', ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]'' (his last appearance as Arnold Jackson), ''[[Married... with Children]]'',''[[Homeboys in Outer Space]]'', ''[[The Jamie Foxx Show]]'', ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]'', ''[[The Rerun Show]]'', ''[[Son of the Beach]]'', and ''[[Robot Chicken]]''.

Coleman also played roles in television films these are ''[[Like Father, Like Santa]]'' (1998), ''[[A Carol Christmas]]'' (2003), and ''A Christmas Too Many'' (2006).

In films, Coleman played himself in ''[[S.F.W.]]'' (1994),<ref>{{Cite web |title=S.F.W. |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/sfw/cast/2030278277/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Dirty Work (1998 film)|''Dirty Work'']] (1998),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dirty Work |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/dirty-work/2030080073/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> ''Shafted!'' (2000),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shafted! |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/shafted/2030286844/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> ''The Flunky'' (2000), ''[[Frank McKlusky, C.I.]]'' (2002), ''[[Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star]]'' (2003),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/dickie-roberts-former-child-star/cast/2030131593/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> ''[[The Great Buck Howard]]'' (2008), and  ''[[Midgets vs. Mascots]]'' (2009).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Midgets vs. Mascots |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/midgets-vs-mascots/cast/2000283169/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> Films where he played a different character were ''[[Fox Hunt (video game)|Fox Hunt]]'' (1997),<ref name="boxoffice">{{cite magazine |author=Kwinn, Ann |date=April 1997 |title=Special Formats: ''Fox Hunt'' |url=https://archive.org/details/jandecboxoffice1997boxorich_201403/page/n439/ |magazine=[[Boxoffice Pro|Boxoffice]] |publisher=Associated Publications |page=192 |volume=133 |issn=0006-8527 |number=4}}</ref> ''[[Church Ball]]'' (2006),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Church Ball |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/church-ball/cast/2030104886/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> and ''[[An American Carol]]'' (2008).<ref>{{Cite web |title=An American Carol |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/an-american-carol/cast/2000121056/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>

From 1996 to 1997, Coleman had a recurring role as the voice of Kevin in the animated show ''[[Waynehead]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Perlmutter|first=David|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FMFTDwAAQBAJ&q=waynehead&pg=PA684|title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows|date=May 4, 2018|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1-5381-0374-6|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Wayans Doesn't Believe Warner Bros.|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-04-21-9704210041-story.html|access-date=August 23, 2020|website=chicagotribune.com|date=April 21, 1997 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1997, Coleman voiced Kenny Falmouth in the video game ''[[The Curse of Monkey Island]]'', which gained him attention, being one of the first few major mainstream actors to appear in a video game.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gary Coleman Dies|url=https://kotaku.com/gary-coleman-dies-5550406|access-date=August 23, 2020|website=Kotaku|date=May 28, 2010 |language=en-us}}</ref> The adventure game was critically acclaimed, considered one of the best of its genre and has a strong legacy due to its feel, graphics, and voice acting.<ref name="pcgtop50">{{cite journal |author=The ''PC Gamer'' Editors |date=October 1998 |title=The 50 Best Games Ever |journal=[[PC Gamer US]] |volume=5 |pages=86, 87, 89, 90, 92, 98, 101, 102, 109, 110, 113, 114, 117, 118, 125, 126, 129, 130 |number=10}}</ref><ref name="rogue">{{cite book |author=Smith, Rob |title=[[Rogue Leaders: The Story of LucasArts]] |date=November 26, 2008 |publisher=[[Chronicle Books]] |isbn=978-0-8118-6184-7 |page=56}}</ref><ref name="top100">{{cite web |author=AG Staff |date=December 30, 2011 |title=Top 100 All-Time Adventure Games |url=https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/18643 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604021011/http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/18643 |archive-date=June 4, 2012 |work=[[Adventure Gamers]]}}</ref> Jeff Green of ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' gave it a rave review and that Coleman "played wonderfully" a "shifty character."<ref name="cgw">{{cite magazine |author=Green, Jeff |author-link=Jeff Green (writer) |date=March 1998 |title=Monkey Shines (The Curse of Monkey Island Review) |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_164.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816005005/http://www.gamespot.com/adventure/monkey3/review_cgw.html |archive-date=August 16, 2000 |access-date=September 9, 2016 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |pages=152–153 |issue=164}}</ref>

Coleman ventured into politics, and in the [[2003 California recall]] election he was a independent candidate for [[Governor of California|governor]]. His campaign was sponsored by the free newsweekly ''[[East Bay Express]]'' as a satirical comment on the recall. After [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] declared his candidacy, Coleman announced that he would vote for Schwarzenegger. Coleman placed [[2003 California gubernatorial recall election|8th in a field of 135 candidates]], receiving 14,242 votes.[[File:Postal 2 E3 2003.jpg|thumb|left|Coleman promoting ''[[Postal 2]]'' at [[E3 2003]]]]In 2003, Coleman portrayed a fictional version of himself in the video game ''[[Postal 2]]'', the second game in the [[Postal (franchise)|''Postal'' franchise]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Postal 2: Paradise Lost Expansion Releasing 12 Years Later - IGN|date=April 17, 2015|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/17/postal-2-paradise-lost-expansion-releasing-today|language=en|access-date=August 23, 2020}}</ref> Upon its release, the game received "mixed or average reviews" according to [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="Postal 2 pc: 2003: Reviews">{{cite web |title=Postal 2 (pc: 2003): Reviews |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/postal2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518054308/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/postal2 |archive-date=May 18, 2008 |access-date=May 23, 2008 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Over time, it gained a [[cult following]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lili|date=December 17, 2019|title=Postal 2 is free on GoG. Why you should play it.|url=https://finalweapon.net/2019/12/16/postal-2-is-free-on-gog-why-you-should-play-it/|access-date=August 23, 2020|website=Final Weapon|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2005, Coleman appeared in [[John Cena]]'s music video for his single "Bad, Bad Man" (from the album ''[[You Can't See Me]]'') and played himself as a villain taking [[Michael Jackson]] and [[Madonna]] hostage. The video was a spoof of 1980s culture, focusing on ''[[The A-Team]]''.<ref>[[You Can't See Me]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8Kt2jHnMh0 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/G8Kt2jHnMh0| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|title=John Cena Bad Bad Man |publisher=YouTube |date=December 15, 2006 |access-date=January 15, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Coleman's final television role was a voice role in the animated series ''[[Robot Chicken]]''.

Gary’s final film role was as Gary in a direct to dvd film Midgets Vs. Mascots

== Personal life ==
[[File:Gary Coleman cropped.jpg|thumb|Coleman in 2007|upright]]

Coleman was an avid railroad fan, and he later worked part-time at [[Denver]]-area, [[Tucson]]-area, and [[California]] hobby stores to be around his hobby.<ref name="sitcomsonline.com">{{cite web|title=Interview Transcript|url=http://www.sitcomsonline.com/garycolemanchat.txt|access-date=May 6, 2013|website=sitcomsonline.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Atlas Model Railroad Forum: Gary Coleman|url=http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=60443|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714142633/http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=60443|archive-date=July 14, 2014|access-date=May 6, 2013|website=atlassrr}}</ref> Coleman built and maintained miniature railroads in his homes in several states throughout the 1990s. Currently, at least one of Coleman's model railroads is being preserved in [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]], [[Colorado]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Gary Coleman's model trains stored in Colorado|url=http://www.koaa.com/news/gary-colemans-model-trains-stored-in-colorado/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607181828/http://www.koaa.com/news/gary-colemans-model-trains-stored-in-colorado/|archive-date=June 7, 2013|access-date=May 6, 2013|website=koaa.com}}</ref> In a 1993 television interview, Coleman said he had twice attempted suicide by overdosing on pills.<ref name="msnbc">{{cite news|last=Dobner|first=Jennifer|date=May 28, 2010|title=Former child star Gary Coleman dies at 42|agency=Associated Press|url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37386129/ns/today-entertainment/|url-status=dead|access-date=May 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529180336/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37386129/ns/today-entertainment/|archive-date=May 29, 2010}}</ref> Coleman lived in [[Santaquin, Utah|Santaquin]], a small town about {{Convert|50|mi}} south of [[Salt Lake City]], Utah, from 2005 until his death.<ref name="Tel ill2">{{cite news|date=May 28, 2010|title=Diff'rent Strokes star Gary Coleman critically ill in hospital|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/7775136/Diffrent-Strokes-star-Gary-Coleman-critically-ill-in-hospital.html|url-status=dead|access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529223126/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/7775136/Diffrent-Strokes-star-Gary-Coleman-critically-ill-in-hospital.html|archive-date=May 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=August 7, 2003|title=Gary Coleman on California ballot|publisher=CNN/inside politics|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/08/06/candidate.coleman/index.html|access-date=May 28, 2010|archive-date=March 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324115135/http://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/08/06/candidate.coleman/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In early 2007, Coleman met Shannon Price, 22, on the set of the film ''[[Church Ball]]'', where she was working as an [[Extra (actor)|extra]].<ref>{{cite news |date=June 15, 2010 |title=Death & Celebrity: When Gary Met Shannon |url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/49749343-73/coleman-price-gary-utah.html.csp |access-date=July 13, 2010 |work=Salt Lake Tribune}}</ref> Price and Coleman married several months later.<ref name="MTVNews2">{{cite web |date=February 14, 2008 |title=Afternoon Fix: Celebrity Birthdays, the 'Jumper' Movie Minute, the latest news, and more |url=http://www.mtv.ca/news/article.jhtml?id=7059 |access-date=June 7, 2010 |website=[[MTV News]]}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> On May 1 and 2, 2008, they made a well-publicized appearance on the show ''[[Divorce Court]]''{{hsp}}<ref name="Divorce2">{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Sandy |date=April 25, 2008 |title=Newlywed Gary Coleman brings marital woes to 'Divorce Court' |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2008/04/25/2008-04-25_newlywed_gary_coleman_brings_marital_woe.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915124020/http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2008/04/25/2008-04-25_newlywed_gary_coleman_brings_marital_woe.html |archive-date=September 15, 2008 |access-date=August 4, 2008 |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]}}</ref> to air their differences in an attempt to save their marriage. However, they divorced in August 2008, and Coleman was granted an ''[[ex parte]]'' restraining order against Price to prevent her from living in his home when he was hospitalized after their divorce.<ref name="Mayoras20122">{{cite news |last1=Mayoras |first1=Danielle |last2=Mayoras |first2=Andy |date=2012 |title=Court Rules Against Gary Coleman's Ex, Finds She Abused And Cheated On Him |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/trialandheirs/2012/05/17/court-rules-against-gary-colemans-ex-finds-she-abused-and-cheated-on-him/ |access-date=November 25, 2014 |work=Forbes}}</ref> According to a court petition later filed by Price, she and Coleman continued to live together in a [[common-law marriage in the United States|common-law marriage]] until his death.<ref name="SLT2">{{cite news |last=Horiuchi |first=Vince |date=June 2, 2010 |title=Gary Coleman wasn't married when he died |url=http://www.sltrib.com/D=g/ci_15214072 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409014505/http://www.sltrib.com/D%3Dg/ci_15214072 |archive-date=April 9, 2015 |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune}}</ref> However, a judge ultimately ruled against Price after hearing testimony that she engaged in love affairs with other men during the time when she claimed to have been with Coleman, and "physically abused Coleman in public, led him around by the hand like a child [and] displayed no physical affection toward him in front of anyone."<ref name="Mayoras20122" />

=== Legal issues ===
In 1998, Coleman was charged with assault against Tracy Fields, a Los Angeles bus driver and fan of Coleman's work on ''Diff'rent Strokes'' who had approached him in a California mall and requested his autograph while he was shopping for a [[bulletproof vest]]. When Coleman gave her an autograph but refused to personalize it, an argument ensued, and Fields reportedly mocked Coleman's acting career. Coleman then punched Fields in the face in front of witnesses. He was arrested and later defended himself in court, alleging that he felt threatened by Fields. He said: "She wouldn't leave me alone. I was getting scared, and she was getting ugly." Coleman pleaded [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] to one count of assault, received a suspended jail sentence and was ordered to pay Fields' $1,665 hospital bill and to take [[anger management]] classes.<ref>{{cite web|date=February 4, 1999|title=Coleman pleads no contest to disturbing the peace and receives 90-day suspended sentence|url=http://www.courttv.com/archive/trials/coleman/020499.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219015819/http://www.courttv.com/archive/trials/coleman/020499.html|archive-date=December 19, 2008|website=[[Court TV|Court TV Online]]}}</ref>

In 2007, Coleman was cited for [[misdemeanor]] [[disorderly conduct]] in [[Provo, Utah]], after a "heated discussion" in public with his wife, Shannon Price.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 31, 2007|title=Diff'rent Strokes' star Coleman cited for disorderly conduct in Utah County|work=[[Fox News]]|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=allfields%28Diff%27rent%20Strokes%27%20star%20Coleman%20cited%20for%20disorderly%20conduct%20in%20Utah%20County%29%20AND%20date%281%2F1%2F2010%20to%201%2F1%2F1998%29&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date%3AB%2CE&p_text_date-0=1%2F1%2F2010%20to%201%2F1%2F1998%29&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=%28%22Diff%27rent%20Strokes%27%20star%20Coleman%20cited%20for%20disorderly%20conduct%20in%20Utah%20County%22%29&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date%3AD&xcal_useweights=no|archive-date=February 3, 2019|access-date=June 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203195314/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=allfields%28Diff%27rent%20Strokes%27%20star%20Coleman%20cited%20for%20disorderly%20conduct%20in%20Utah%20County%29%20AND%20date%281%2F1%2F2010%20to%201%2F1%2F1998%29&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date%3AB%2CE&p_text_date-0=1%2F1%2F2010%20to%201%2F1%2F1998%29&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=%28%22Diff%27rent%20Strokes%27%20star%20Coleman%20cited%20for%20disorderly%20conduct%20in%20Utah%20County%22%29&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date%3AD&xcal_useweights=no|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=February 12, 2008|title=Gary Coleman reveals Secret Marriage|work=[[Inside Edition]]|url=http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyID=1289|url-status=dead|access-date=February 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218131321/http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyID=1289|archive-date=December 18, 2008}}</ref> In 2009, Coleman and his ex-wife were involved in a domestic dispute, after which Price was arrested on suspicion of [[domestic violence]], and both parties were cited for disorderly conduct.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 12, 2009|title=Gary Coleman's wife arrested for domestic violence|work=Daily Herald|url=http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/south/santaquin/article_109c00b4-d9a1-51c9-ada6-24ab51debaf2.html|access-date=August 12, 2009|archive-date=August 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826004325/http://heraldextra.com/news/local/south/santaquin/article_109c00b4-d9a1-51c9-ada6-24ab51debaf2.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2008, Coleman was involved in an altercation at a [[Payson, Utah]], bowling alley, which began when Colt Rushton, age 24, photographed Coleman without his permission. The two men argued, according to witnesses. In the parking lot, Coleman allegedly backed his truck into Rushton, striking his knee and pulling him under the vehicle, before hitting another car. Rushton was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and released.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 6, 2008|title=Man run over by former child star in Payson|work=[[KSL-TV]]|url=http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4198739}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=September 8, 2008|title=Payson police say no one's talking in Coleman incident|work=[[Deseret News]]|url=http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700257308,00.html|access-date=September 9, 2008|archive-date=September 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909112834/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700257308,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Coleman later pleaded [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] to charges of disorderly conduct and reckless driving and was fined $100. In 2010, he settled a civil suit related to the incident for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{cite news|date=December 2, 2008|title=Coleman Pleads No Contest to Disorderly Conduct|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-People-Gary-Coleman.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=December 2, 2008|title=Gary Coleman Pleads No Contest in Bowling Brawl|work=[[E!|E! Online]]|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b71348_gary_coleman_pleads_no_contest_in.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=January 14, 2010|title=Gary Coleman Reaches Settlement in Suit over Parking Lot Dispute|work=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]|url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14191137|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117012537/http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14191137|archive-date=January 17, 2010}}</ref> Months before his death in 2010, Coleman was arrested on an outstanding domestic assault warrant in Santaquin, booked into the Utah County Jail<ref>{{cite web|date=January 24, 2010|title=Actor Gary Coleman arrested for 2nd time in Utah County|url=http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=9454836|access-date=May 28, 2010|website=Ksl.com}}</ref> and released the following day.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Jeannine|title=Actor Gary Coleman released from Utah jail after arrest on outstanding warrant|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/wire/sns-ap-us-gary-coleman-jailed,0,6143633.story|url-status=dead|access-date=May 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615050808/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/wire/sns-ap-us-gary-coleman-jailed%2C0%2C6143633.story|archive-date=June 15, 2010}}</ref>

=== Financial problems ===
In August 1999, Coleman filed for [[bankruptcy]] protection.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 6, 1999|title=Former Child Star Gary Coleman Files For Bankruptcy|work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_14_96/ai_55983426|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714014405/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_14_96/ai_55983426|archive-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref> He claimed that multiple people were responsible for his insolvency, "from me, to accountants, to my adoptive parents, to agents, to lawyers, and back to me again."<ref>{{cite news|date=August 18, 1999|title=Gary Coleman: Bankrupt|work=eonline.com|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b38590_gary_coleman_bankrupt.html|access-date=July 13, 2010}}</ref> In 1995, Coleman lost $200,000 ($419,683.73 in 2025) on a failed [[Amusement arcade|arcade]] business he established called the Gary Coleman Game Parlor, which was located at [[Fisherman's Village]] in [[Marina del Rey, California]].<ref>{{cite news|date=September 6, 1999|title=Out of Pocket|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|url=https://people.com/archive/out-of-pocket-vol-52-no-9/|access-date=August 10, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=April 15, 2016|title=Gary Coleman|work=happeningsmagazine.com|url=https://people.com/archive/out-of-pocket-vol-52-no-9/|access-date=August 10, 2018}}</ref> Ongoing medical expenses contributed significantly to Coleman's chronic financial problems and sometimes compelled him to resort to eccenctric fundraising activities. In 1999 after filing for bankruptcy, he partnered with [[UGO Networks]] for an online auction titled "Save Me!". Items included his couch, a "tiny pimp suit" with matching gold Nikes and an autographed ice scraper. Items attracted more than $5,000 in bids.<ref>{{cite news|date=November 23, 1999|title=Short Orders|work=theguardian.com|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/1999/nov/24/tvandradio.television1|access-date=August 10, 2018}}</ref>

== Health problems and death ==
In 2009, Coleman underwent [[heart surgery]]. Although the details of the procedure were never made public, he is known to have developed postoperative [[pneumonia]].<ref name="Tel ill2" /> In January 2010, Coleman was hospitalized after a [[seizure]] in [[Los Angeles]], and in February, he experienced another seizure on the set of ''[[The Insider (TV program)|The Insider]]'' television program.<ref>{{cite news|date=February 26, 2010|title=Gary Coleman Hospitalized Again|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/02/gary-coleman-the-insider-seizure-dr-drew-pinsky.html|access-date=July 11, 2010}}</ref> On May 26, 2010, Coleman was admitted to [[Utah Valley Hospital|Utah Valley Regional Medical Center]] in [[Provo, Utah]], in critical condition<ref>{{cite news|last=Duke|first=Alan |work=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/27/gary.coleman.hospitalized/index.html|title=Gary Coleman in critical condition, Utah hospital says |date= May 28, 2010|access-date=May 28, 2010}}</ref> after falling down the stairs at his Santaquin home and hitting his head, possibly after another seizure, and experiencing an [[epidural hematoma]].<ref name="Herald-2010">{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/gary-coleman-critically-hurt-after-falling-and-hitting-his-head-20100528-wiab.html |title=Gary Coleman critically hurt after falling and hitting his head |date=May 27, 2010 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |access-date=May 27, 2010 }}</ref> According to a hospital spokesman, Coleman was conscious and lucid the next morning, but his condition subsequently worsened.<ref name="reuters">{{cite news|first=Bob|last=Tourtellotte |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64R0DU20100528 |title=Gary Coleman dies after brain hemorrhage |work=Reuters |date= May 28, 2010|access-date=June 4, 2010}}</ref> By mid-afternoon on May 27, he was unconscious and on [[life support]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1640313/20100528/story.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531140122/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1640313/20100528/story.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 31, 2010 |title=Gary Coleman Put On Life Support After being hospitalized on Wednesday following a fall, the actor is unconscious |website=MTV |access-date=May 28, 2010}}</ref> He died at 12:05&nbsp;pm [[Mountain Time Zone|MDT]] on May 28, 2010, at age 42.<ref name="USAToday">{{cite news|title=Actor Gary Coleman dies of brain hemorrhage|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/05/actor-gary-coleman-reported-dead-of-brain-hemorrhage/1|access-date=May 28, 2010|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=May 28, 2010|first=Douglas|last=Stanglin}}</ref><ref name="SilvermanSM">{{cite news|last=Silverman|first=Stephen M.|title=Diff'rent Strokes Star Gary Coleman Dies at 42|url=https://people.com/celebrity/diffrent-strokes-star-gary-coleman-dies-at-42/|access-date=May 28, 2010|newspaper=People Magazine|date=May 28, 2010}}</ref>

The weekend after Coleman's death, a scheduled funeral was postponed and later canceled following a dispute regarding the disposition of his estate and remains among Coleman's adoptive parents, former business associate Anna Gray and Price. Coleman's former manager Dion Mial was initially involved but withdrew after Coleman's 1999 will, which had named Mial as [[executor]], was found to have been superseded by a 2005 will replacing Mial with Gray. The earlier will had stipulated that Coleman's wake be "...conducted by those with no financial ties to me and can look each other in the eyes and say they really cared personally for Gary Coleman",<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tmz.vo.llnwd.net/o28/newsdesk/tmz_documents/0608_gary_coleman_will_doc.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704100643/http://tmz.vo.llnwd.net/o28/newsdesk/tmz_documents/0608_gary_coleman_will_doc.pdf |archive-date=2010-07-04 |url-status=live |title=Gary Coleman's 1999 Last Will|work=TMZ| access-date= March 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Coleman's Former Friend to Bow Out of Estate Fight |date=June 15, 2010|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/49759902-73/coleman-estate-price-court.html.csp |work=Salt Lake City Tribune|access-date= July 13, 2010}},</ref> but the later version directed "...that there be no funeral service, wake, or other ceremony memorializing my passing."<ref name="ashes">{{cite news|title=Coleman's Ashes Kept Locked Up During Battle of Wills |date=June 16, 2010|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/06/16/gary.coleman.ashes/index.html |work=CNN|access-date= July 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Ken |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20392290,00.html |title=Gary Coleman Leaves Bittersweet Instructions for Funeral |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-date=March 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331054924/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20392290,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Aftermath ===
Questions were raised as to whether Price, who approved discontinuing Coleman's life support, was legally authorized to do so. The controversy was exacerbated by a photograph published on the front page of the tabloid newspaper ''[[Globe (tabloid)|Globe]]'' depicting Price posed next to a comatose, intubated Coleman under the headline, "It Was Murder!" While Coleman's final will named Gray as executor and awarded his entire estate to her, Coleman and Price married in 2007. Although she had divorced Coleman in 2008, Price claimed in a court petition that she had remained his [[Common-law marriage|common-law wife]], with the two sharing bank accounts and presenting themselves publicly as husband and wife until Coleman's death. Her assertion, if validated by the court, would have made her his lawful heir.<ref name="ashes" />

In May 2012, judge James Taylor stated that while Price had indeed lived in Coleman's home after their marriage ended, their relationship at the time of his death failed to meet Utah's standard for a common-law marriage.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 14, 2012|title=Judge: Shannon Price is not Gary Coleman's common-law wife|work=The Salt Lake Tribune|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54111101-78/coleman-price-wife-common.html.csp}}</ref> The hospital later issued a statement confirming that Coleman had completed an [[advance healthcare directive]] granting Price permission to make medical decisions on his behalf.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hospital: Gary Coleman's Ex-Wife Was Authorized to Pull the Plug |date=June 3, 2010|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/hospital-gary-colemans-ex-wife-was-authorized-to-pull-the-plug-201036 |work=US Magazine|access-date= July 13, 2010}}</ref> An investigation by Santaquin police was closed on October 5, 2010, after the medical examiner ruled Coleman's death accidental and no evidence of wrongdoing could be demonstrated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/06/new-details-police-investigation-gary-colemans-death-still-open-foul-play-not/ |website=Radar Online |title=NEW DETAILS: Police Investigation Into Gary Coleman's Death Still Open, Foul Play Not Ruled Out |date= July 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cops Close Coleman Death Case |url=http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/celebrities/2010/10/05/15593026-wenn-story.html |newspaper=Toronto Sun|access-date= October 6, 2010}}</ref> The disposition of Coleman's ashes remains unknown. Price said that had she been granted disposition, she would have scattered the ashes at the [[Golden Spike National Historic Site]] in Utah as a tribute to Coleman's lifelong love of trains.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 10, 2011 |title=Gary Coleman's Ashes Remain at Attorney's Office, Ex-Wife Claims |work=Radaronline.com |url=http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/03/exclusive-gary-colemans-ashes-remain-attorneys-office-ex-wife-claims |access-date=December 19, 2011}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Coleman is frequently listed as one of the most influential child actors in the world. He was rated first on a list of [[VH1]]'s "100 Greatest Kid Stars" on television,<ref name="reuters" /> and was noted by [[MTV]] for having an "Undeniable Impact on Pop Culture."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warmoth|first=Brian|title=Gary Coleman Made Undeniable Impact On Pop Culture|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1640349/gary-coleman-made-undeniable-impact-on-pop-culture/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208072315/http://www.mtv.com/news/1640349/gary-coleman-made-undeniable-impact-on-pop-culture/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2014|access-date=August 23, 2020|website=MTV News|language=en}}</ref> Mike Hogan from [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|''Vanity Fair'']] wrote on his career, saying "He was unquestionably a superstar, overshadowing them with his radiant charisma and boundless energy, but the kidney condition that enabled him, even as a teen, to play the world's most precocious little brother on TV also complicated his life in ways most of us will never understand."<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Hogan|first=Mike|title=Remembering Gary Coleman, Without Irony|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2010/05/remembering-gary-coleman-without-irony|access-date=August 23, 2020|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=May 28, 2010|language=en-us}}</ref> Actress [[Lucille Ball]] stated in a 1980 interview with [[People (magazine)|''People'' magazine]] that although she rarely watched sitcoms, "I love Gary Coleman. He puts me away. He puts everybody away."<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 11, 1980 |first=Peter |last=Lester |title=Ask Her Anything About Desi Sr., Divorce, Drugs, Gay Rights&mdash;Lucy Ball Hasn't Become Bashful at 68 |url=https://people.com/archive/ask-her-anything-about-desi-sr-divorce-drugs-gay-rights-lucy-ball-hasnt-become-bashful-at-68-vol-13-no-6/ |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=en}}</ref>

[[Filk music]] act [[Ookla the Mok (band)|Ookla the Mok]] paid tribute to Coleman on their 2003 album "''oh okay LA''" with the song "A.M. Suicide."<ref name="OoklaLyrics">[https://ooklathemok.com/liner_notes/ohokayla.pdf Liner notes for ''Oh OK LA''], at OoklaTheMok.com; retrieved June 4, 2021</ref> He is parodied in ''[[Avenue Q]]'', which won the 2004 [[Tony Award for Best Musical]]; a fictionalized version of him works as the [[Building superintendent|superintendent]] of the apartment complex where the musical takes place. In the song "It Sucks to Be Me", he laments his fate.<ref name="thewrap2" /> On Broadway, the role was originally performed by [[Natalie Venetia Belcon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=100641|title=Natalie Venetia Belcon|website=Internet Broadway Database|access-date=May 28, 2010}}</ref> The show's creators, Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez, have said the Coleman character personifies one of ''Avenue Q''{{'s}} central themes: that as children we are told we are "special", but upon entering adulthood, we discover that life is not nearly as easy as we have been led to believe. They added that their original intent was for Coleman himself to play the Gary Coleman role, and he expressed interest in it but did not show up for a meeting scheduled to discuss it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gothamist.com/2004/12/17/jeff_marx_robert_lopez_creators_avenue_q.php|title=Jeff Marx & Robert Lopez, Creators Avenue Q|last=Dobbs|first=Aaron|date=December 17, 2004|website=Gothamist|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709004354/http://gothamist.com/2004/12/17/jeff_marx_robert_lopez_creators_avenue_q.php|archive-date=July 9, 2008|access-date=May 30, 2010}}</ref> In 2005, Coleman announced his intention to sue the producers of ''Avenue Q'' for their depiction of him, although the lawsuit never materialized. At the 2007 [[New York Comic Con]], Coleman said, "I wish there was a lawyer on Earth that would sue them for me."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPCOuyGacRs|title=Gary Coleman&nbsp;– New York Comic Con 2007&nbsp;–|website=TheActionRoom.com|publisher=YouTube|access-date=May 28, 2010}}</ref>

Following his death in 2010, the casts of the [[off-Broadway]] production of ''Avenue Q'' in New York City and the ''Avenue Q'' National Tour in Dallas dedicated their performances to his memory, and the actors playing the part of Coleman paid tribute to him from the stage at the performances' conclusions.<ref>{{cite news|last=Propst|first=Andy|date=May 28, 2010|title=Gary Coleman, Star of Diff'rent Strokes and Character in Avenue Q, Dies at 42.|newspaper=Theater Mania|url=http://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/news/05-2010/gary-coleman-star-of-diffrent-strokes-and-a-charac_27775.html|access-date=May 29, 2010}}</ref><ref name="SilvermanSM" /> The Coleman character remained in the show after modifications were made to relevant dialogue.<ref name="Itzkoff">{{cite news|last=Itzkoff|first=Dave|date=May 29, 2010|title='Avenue Q' Deals With Death of Gary Coleman|work=The New York Times|url=https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/avenue-q-deals-with-death-of-gary-coleman/|access-date=June 8, 2010}}</ref> Randy Kester—Coleman's attorney—told ''[[Dallas News]]'' in 2010, "The world's going to be a little less happy place without Gary. For being a small guy, he sure had a big impact on the world."<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 29, 2010|title=Gary Coleman: Off the air, ex-child star struggled|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/obituaries/2010/05/29/gary-coleman-off-the-air-ex-child-star-struggled/|access-date=August 23, 2020|website=Dallas News|language=en}}</ref> Coleman appeared in 2011 in the game's intro ''[[Postal III]]'' and in 2015 in the expansion pack for ''[[Postal 2]]'' - ''Paradise Lost''. In the 2021 ''Diff'rent Strokes'' special, actor [[Kevin Hart]] played Coleman's signature character of [[Arnold Jackson (character)|Arnold Jackson]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-19 |title=Kevin Hart to play Gary Coleman role in 'Diff'rent Strokes' special |url=https://nypost.com/2021/11/19/kevin-hart-cast-in-abcs-diffrent-strokes-live-special/ |access-date=2021-12-12 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-22 |title=Kevin Hart to play Gary Coleman in 'Diff'rent Strokes' reboot |url=https://rollingout.com/2021/11/22/kevin-hart-to-play-gary-coleman-in-diffrent-strokes-in-reboot/ |access-date=2021-12-12 |website=Rolling Out |language=en-US}}</ref>

A [[documentary film|documentary]] about Coleman's life, ''[[Gary (film)|Gary]]'', was released on the streaming service [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] on August 29, 2024.<ref name="thr">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/gary-coleman-documentary-director-talks-misinformation-about-star-1235986234|title=Gary Coleman Documentary Director Talks &quot;Misinformation&quot; About Star|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]]|last=Kilkenny|first=Katie|date=August 29, 2024|accessdate=August 31, 2024}}</ref><ref name="imdb">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33084905|title=Gary (2024) - IMDb|work=[[IMDb]]|publisher=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]|accessdate=August 31, 2024}}</ref>

== Works and awards ==
{{Main|Gary Coleman filmography}}
Throughout his career, Coleman had garnered over sixty acting credits and over eighty television appearances.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gary Coleman|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0171041/|access-date=2021-12-12|website=IMDb}}</ref> For playing the role of [[Arnold Jackson (character)|Arnold Jackson]] in the [[sitcom]] ''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]'' (1978–1986), he received several accolades, which include two [[Young Artist Award]]s and three [[People's Choice Awards]]—the latter being a consecutive three wins for [[People's Choice Awards|Favorite Young TV Performer]] from 1980 to 1983—and nominations for two [[TV Land Award]]s.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Work
!Result
!Ref.
|-
|1979
|[[Young Artist Award]]s
|Best Young Actor in a Television Series
|''Diff'rent Strokes''
| {{nom}}
| rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms2.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910235952/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms2.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2015|title=Second Annual Youth in Film Awards 1979–1980|website=youngartistawards|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref>
|-
|1980
|Young Artist Awards
|Outstanding Contribution to Youth Through Entertainment
|Himself
|{{won}}
|-
|1980
| [[People's Choice Awards]]
| Favorite Young TV Performer
| ''Diff'rent Strokes''
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref name="Academy-2020">{{Cite web|title=Actor Gary Coleman Dies at 42|url=https://www.emmys.com/news/news/actor-gary-coleman-dies-42|access-date=March 9, 2020|website=Television Academy|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|1981
| People's Choice Awards
| Favorite Young TV Performer
| ''Diff'rent Strokes''
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref name="Academy-2020"/>
|-
|1981
|Young Artist Awards
|Best Young Comedian – Motion Picture or Television
|''Diff'rent Strokes''
|{{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms3.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402060410/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms3.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2011|title=3rd Annual Awards|date=April 2, 2011|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref>
|-
|1982
|[[Golden Raspberry Awards]]
|Worst Actor
|''On The Right Track''
| {{nom}}
|  rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 8, 2015|title=Golden Raspberry Awards: 1981|url=https://lebeauleblog.com/2015/10/08/golden-raspberry-awards-1981/|access-date=March 11, 2020|website=Lebeau's Le Blog|language=en-US|archive-date=March 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303065715/https://lebeauleblog.com/2015/10/08/golden-raspberry-awards-1981/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|1982
|Golden Raspberry Awards
|Worst New Actor
|''On The Right Track''
| {{nom}}
|-
|1982
|Young Artist Awards
|Best Young Actor in a Comedy Series
|''Diff'rent Strokes''
|{{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms4.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310011550/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms4.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 10, 2008|title=4th Annual Awards|date=March 10, 2008|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref>
|-
|1982
|People's Choice Awards
|Favorite Young TV Performer
|''Diff'rent Strokes''
|{{won}}
|style="text-align:center;" |<ref name="Academy-2020" />
|-
|1983
|Young Artist Awards
|Best Young Actor in a Comedy Series
|''Diff'rent Strokes''
|{{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms5.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403132035/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms5.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 3, 2011|title=5th Annual Awards|date=April 3, 2011|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2003
|[[TV Land Awards]]
|Quintessential Non-Traditional Family <small>(shared with cast)</small>
|''Diff'rent Strokes''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0001221/2003/1/|title=TV Land Awards (2003)|website=IMDb|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2004
|TV Land Awards
|Quintessential Non-Traditional Family <small>(shared with cast)</small>
|''Diff'rent Strokes''
|{{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0001221/2004/1|title=TV Land Awards (2004)|website=IMDb|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref>
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist
| refs =
}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|171041}}
* {{tcmdb name|id=36763|name=Gary Coleman}}
* [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/05/28/GA2010052803076.html Gary Coleman: 1968–2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707012510/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/05/28/GA2010052803076.html |date=July 7, 2020 }} photo gallery by ''[[The Washington Post]]''

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coleman, Gary}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:2010 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths from falls in the United States]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths in Utah]]
[[Category:Actors with dwarfism]]
[[Category:American actors with disabilities]]
[[Category:African American adoptees]]
[[Category:African-American male child actors]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American male actors]]
[[Category:American adoptees]]
[[Category:American male child actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:American people convicted of assault]]
[[Category:Crossroads School alumni]]
[[Category:Deaths from epidural hematoma]]
[[Category:Kidney transplant recipients]]
[[Category:Male actors from Illinois]]
[[Category:Male actors from Utah]]
[[Category:Neurological disease deaths in Utah]]
[[Category:People from Santaquin, Utah]]
[[Category:People from Zion, Illinois]]