What Was Gary Coleman's Net Worth and Salary?
Gary Coleman, an iconic American actor, had a net worth of $75,000 at the time of his passing in 2010. Coleman is best remembered for his role as Arnold Jackson on the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, which made him one of the highest-paid child actors in the late 1970s and 1980s. His famous catchphrase, "What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" continues to be popular. Following the success of Diff'rent Strokes, ABC attempted to replicate the show's premise with Webster, featuring Emmanuel Lewis.
In addition to his television success, Coleman lent his voice to the animated series The Gary Coleman Show and Waynehead. He also appeared in films such as Jimmy the Kid, Dirty Work, and An American Carol.
Diff'rent Strokes Salary
At the height of his career, Coleman earned $100,000 per episode of Diff'rent Strokes, making him the highest-paid TV actor at the time. He earned around $2.5 million per season, which is equivalent to approximately $6.5 million today when adjusted for inflation. Unfortunately, after paying his parents, lawyers, advisors, and taxes, he retained only a fraction of these earnings.
Financial and Legal Struggles
Coleman faced ongoing financial issues throughout his career due to medical expenses and misappropriation of his earnings by his parents and advisers. In 1989, he sued his adoptive parents and former advisers, winning a $1.28 million settlement years later. Coleman took on part-time jobs at railroad hobby stores to support himself during these challenging times.
In 1998, while working as a security guard, Coleman was charged with assaulting a bus driver who asked for his autograph. An argument led to Coleman punching the woman several times, resulting in his arrest. He received a suspended prison sentence, was ordered to pay the woman's hospital bills, and had to attend anger management classes. The following year, Coleman filed for bankruptcy. He continued to encounter legal troubles, including charges of disorderly conduct, reckless driving, and domestic assault.
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Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in 1968 in Zion, Illinois, Gary Coleman was adopted by Edmonia Sue, a nurse practitioner, and W. G. Coleman, a forklift operator. A congenital kidney disease stunted his growth and kept his face childlike. He underwent two kidney transplants in 1973 and another in 1984, but they were unsuccessful.
Coleman's career began in 1974 with a commercial for Harris Bank, followed by an episode of the CBS drama series Medical Center. He then appeared in episodes of CBS sitcoms The Jeffersons and Good Times.
Diff'rent Strokes
In 1977, an executive noticed Coleman in a pilot episode of the revival of The Little Rascals and cast him as Arnold Jackson in Diff'rent Strokes. Playing one of two African-American brothers adopted by a wealthy white widower, Coleman became a household name. The show, which aired for eight seasons across NBC and ABC, solidified his fame, earning him multiple Young Artist Awards and four People's Choice Awards for Favorite Young TV Performer from 1980 to 1983. Coleman's catchphrase on the show, "What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" remains iconic.
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Film and Television Career in the 70s and 80s
Following the success of Diff'rent Strokes, Coleman appeared in numerous television productions and films. In 1979, he starred in the TV movie The Kid from Left Field and guest-starred on Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. In 1980, he appeared in the TV film Scout's Honor, and in 1981, he starred in the comedy On the Right Track as a young shoeshine boy. Other notable works include The Kid with the Broken Halo and Jimmy the Kid. He also voiced the lead character in The Gary Coleman Show, which ran for 13 episodes in 1982.
Later Acting Career
Throughout the 1990s, Coleman made guest appearances on shows such as Married… with Children, Martin, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He had a recurring role in the animated series Waynehead in 1996. On the big screen, he made cameo appearances in S.F.W. and Dirty Work.
In the 2000s, Coleman continued to appear on various shows, including The Hughleys, My Wife and Kids, Baby Bob, The Parkers, The Surreal Life, Drake & Josh, and Nitro Circus. Some of his final film roles were in the comedies Church Ball and An American Carol. His last film appearance was in the 2009 independent film Midgets vs. Mascots.
Personal Life
While working on the set of Church Ball in 2007, Coleman met Shannon Price, and they married later that year. The couple appeared on Divorce Court in 2008 and subsequently divorced due to Price's abusive behavior.
In 2009, Coleman had heart surgery and developed pneumonia. The following year, he experienced two seizures and was hospitalized after falling at his home. In critical condition, Coleman was placed on life support and passed away in May 2010 at the age of 42.
