Gary Coleman (1968 – 2010)

Former child star and famously short actor Gary Coleman has passed away at age 42. Coleman was admitted to a Utah hospital after suffering a brain hemorrhage that left him in critical condition Wednesday. He was taken off life support today after his condition only became more severe, according to a statement from his manager.

Coleman was famous for playing Arnold Jackson on the hit television show “Diff’rent Strokes” for eight seasons from 1978-1986. He was ranked number one on VH1’s “100 greatest kids stars.”

Coleman was plagued by a myriad of infirmities throughout his life. He had two kidney transplants in ’73 and ’84, both results of the congenital kidney disease that stunted his growth at 4’8″. He most recently had suffered a seizure back in February.

Personally speaking, I was born just after “Diff’rent Strokes” went off the air, so Coleman was best known to me as the butt of numerous jokes, such as being portrayed by a female actress in the raunchy hit puppet musical “Avenue Q.” Nevertheless, it’s clear that Coleman was one of the most memorable child stars of his time and of all time.

RIP