Former child star Gary Coleman has passed away aged 42. The actor – best known as pint-sized Arnold Jackson in the classic TV comedy series Diff’rent Strokes (1978 – 1986) – suffered a brain haemorrhage after fall at his home on Wednesday and died earlier today after his life support machine was turned off.
After making a number of TV appearances early in his childhood, the ten-year old Coleman was thrust into the spotlight with his turn as Arnold in Diff’rent Strokes, spawning the popular catchphrase “What’choo talkin’ bout, Willis?” and quickly becoming the main star of the show. He struggled to shake off the character in later years, making sporadic television and film appearances in the likes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Simpsons and Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, while his personal life was beset with legal problems.
Originally published May 28, 2010. Updated April 10, 2018.
