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Most recently, family members have confirmed that Coleman had to have emergency surgery after suffering a head injury during a fall. He suffers from congenital kidney disease and often needs dialysis. The kidney disease is the reason why Coleman never grew beyond the height of 4-foot-8-inches tall.
Coleman's acting career started in 1977, doing television commercials. He was cast as Arnold Jackson on 'Diff'rent Strokes' in 1978. The next eight years during the show were the height of his career. Most of his life was not quite the fairytale of the TV show. Coleman was adopted as an infant and by the age of 5 and required three different surgeries for his kidney condition. As a young adult, he sued his parents for squandering the money he'd made as an actor.
Coleman earned roughly $18 million during his career on 'Diff'rent Strokes.' At one point, he was earning close to $100,000 per episode on the show, where he was clearly the star. His parents created a trust fund for the money, but signed themselves up as paid employees. When Coleman was 18, the trust was dissolved, leaving $770,000 for his parents and only $220,000 for him. This was a shock to Coleman, since $18 million invested in a diversified portfolio should have left him well over $10 million in the bank . For him to have less than $1 million in the trust fund after all those years signals serious neglect on the part of those who'd been trusted with his money.
Coleman eventually settled in court for between $1.8 and $3.8 million, far less than what he would have earned had his parents managed his money responsibly. In fact, if they'd used good financial advisers, they could have saved Coleman from a lifetime of financial trouble. Coleman filed for bankruptcy in 1999 and has been struggling ever since. What's saddest about Coleman's life is that he has had the most success out of the three children cast for the show. Dana Plato, who played Coleman's sister, committed suicide in 1999 after doing soft-core pornography and having several run-ins with the law. Todd Bridges, who played Coleman's older brother, has struggled with drug addiction for years and appears to be working on his recovery. Sometimes your greatest dreams can be the pathway to unimaginable nightmares. Work hard for success, but always stay humble -- it can be taken away from you at any second.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book 'Black American Money.' To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (11)
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By: Shellfish789 on 5/29/2010 12:45AM
RIP Gary....I hope who every stole your money Rot in HELL!
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By: Sherry on 5/29/2010 2:33PM
RIP Gary. His parents should be ashamed of themselves for what they did to their own son.
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By: Betty Eugene on 5/29/2010 4:55PM
Poor little Gary! I've ALWAYS loved him and was crushed to hear of his passing away! He was often very sick, I know, but he seemed to be such a tough little overcomer that I was shocked to know he had died!
He was so very talented and very well-spoken! He was just the most adorable little child actor ever, with the chubby little cheeks and cute little pout, as he would exclaim, "What you talkin' about Willis?!" LOL!
I was so unhappy to hear of his financial, health and marital woes in his later life, and I hope he was saved and is now in Heaven with our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ!
Even though I never had the opportunity to meet you, I miss you, sweet Gary!!!
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By: B. Smith on 5/29/2010 11:18PM
Sweet Gary? He seemed like a monster and as far as him being in heaven, he didn't act like he knew Jesus. Not everyone will be saved. Check your Word.
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By: TheTeacher2011 on 5/29/2010 6:32PM
God does not like ugly and his parents will get their's in the end. RIP my brother!
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By: W. on 5/30/2010 12:44PM
What parent would not think enough of the children to put money away for them especially sense they are only in this position due to the children... The parents should be held responsible for Gary's misery and eventually all will have to pay the price.. RIP
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By: Victoria on 6/04/2010 11:41AM
We only pass this way but once. Gary's was a challenge it would appear from the beginning to end. Very sad tale. May he REST IN PEACE. http://manchestersquare.blogspot.com
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By: Betty Eugene on 5/30/2010 8:05PM
This is my reply to B. Smith!
I was actually referring to Gary Coleman as being SWEET from when he was a cute little child actor, B. Smith! I suppose I should have made my comments much more specific---but, then, YOU misread my comment to begin with!
I merely stated that "I HOPE Gary was saved and is
now in Heaven with our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ!"
B. Smith, you should have taken your time and read my words carefully, and not have read into them something I NEVER said!
You said Gary "seemed" to be a monster, but you didn't KNOW him, did you?! Neither did I!
Romans 3:23 of the KJV Bible says,
"For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God"!
ALL includes EVERBODY and excludes NONE!
Besides, ONLY GOD ALMIGHTY KNOWS whether or not an individual is saved, not any of us lowly humans!
Sure, we can have our doubts about someone, but ONLY the Lord KNOWS FOR SURE!
I think about many of those in the entertainment world, particularly, who PROFESS to be Christians, although they are deeply involved in playing roles and singing songs that are peppered with profanity and the most rank obscenities possible!
Then, when they win the Oscar or a Grammy, they give praise unto God for their success! What a hoot! God is HOLY and does not tolerate sin, although He loves the sinning person!
Yet, who am I to say whether these people are truly saved or not! I can only say I HOPE they are really saved, just as I said concerning Gary Coleman!
Christ's death on the cross, His burial and resurrection from the dead on the third day (see
I Corinthians 15:3 - 4 KJV Bible) is the ONLY payment God the Father will accept for mankind's sin debt!
Perhaps Gary Coleman was NOT SAVED and is now burning in Hell---but ONLY GOD KNOWS FOR SURE! Certainly NOT you nor I!
Check YOUR word, dearie, and please don't quote me as saying words I never said concerning Mr. Coleman and his eternal state!
I thank you!
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By: barbarascy385 on 5/31/2010 6:32PM
Gary Coleman's situation might be a good reason that young children SHOULD NOT be in show business. For one thing it changes the parent-child dynamic. How do you really tell a child who has $20 million dollars in the bank what they should and should not do? And what if the parents really don't know how to handle that kind of money? Is it worth losing the relationship a parent has with a child? Because that is exactly what is going to happen if all the money disappears. I have also heard Gary say that he was not cut out to be famous. How could he tell his parents at such a young age he didn't think he could handle being famous? How would he even know until he had been through it? When a child enters such a high-profile career at such an early age nobody really knows if the child will be able to handle all the pressures that can come with such a lifestyle. In my opinion Gary Coleman DID NOT seem to enjoy being famous. Yet he was put in the business at such an early age. He really didn't have any say about the matter, but he suffered the consequences just the same. I just don't know if 'child stars' is a good idea and there seems to be a lot of evidence supporting my stance.
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By: sherri on 6/05/2010 3:41PM
Of course, Gary Coleman was bitter. He didn't have a normal childhood. He was robbed blind. On top of being broke and not having a normal childhood, he was sick his entire life. Nordicman, I hope people are more understanding of your failings than you are of others.
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