Gary Coleman
American actor (1968-2010) · United States · On the map · Actors · Died at 42
Gary Wayne Coleman 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 adoptive parents. Due to the corticosteroids and other medications used to treat a kidney disease, his growth was limited to 4 ft 8 in (142 cm).
Gary Coleman is read about 2,390 times a day, in 67 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 400 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?A life in dates
A Christmas Too ManyFilm, Pizza Guy2005
Robot ChickenSeries, Arnold Jackson / Barry the Banana / James Robert 'Radio' Kennedy (voice)2004Save VirgilFilm, Himself, The Devil2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live!Series
A Carol ChristmasFilm, 2003Christmas Past2001
Night of the Living DooFilm, Gary Coleman (voice)1999
The ParkersSeries1998
Amazing Stories: The Movie IIIFilm, Arnold Jackson1996
The Jamie Foxx ShowSeries, Cupid1995
S.F.W.Film, Gary Coleman1992
MartinSeries, Mad Dog No Good1989
The SimpsonsSeries, Gary Coleman (voice)1988Nineteen Summers: San Diego Padres 1969-1988Film1986Gary Coleman: For Safety's SakeFilm1985
Amazing StoriesSeries, Arnold Jackson
Night of 100 Stars IIFilm, 19851983
The Kid with the 200 I.Q.Film, Nick Newell1981
Simon & SimonSeries
On the Right TrackFilm, 1981Lester1979
The Kid from Left FieldFilm, Jackie Robinson 'J.R.' Cooper1975
Saturday Night LiveSeries1968Born8 February 1968People around Gary
Close ties
Leslie H. Martinson Directed The Kid with the Broken Halo (1982)
Robert Guillaume Also in The Kid from Left Field (1979)
Tom Hanks Produced The Great Buck Howard (2008)
Bob Saget Directed Dirty Work (1998)
Rita Wilson Produced The Great Buck Howard (2008)
Todd Bridges Also in Diff'rent Strokes- Henry Levin Directed Scout's Honor (1980)
Gary Goetzman Produced The Great Buck Howard (2008)
Lee Philips Directed On the Right Track (1981)
Tammy Lauren Also in The Kid with the Broken Halo (1982)
Mary Hart Also in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
Gary Nelson Directed Jimmy the Kid (1982)
Robert Simonds Produced Dirty Work (1998)
Known for
View all 34 titles
Tupac: Resurrection 2003
Dirty Work 1998
The Great Buck Howard 2008
S.F.W. 1995
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star 2003
Also in Deutsch
Filmography 34
82 credits on file
Television 24
Media & music
About this person
In the mid-1970s, he appeared in commercials and acted in an episode of 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 in the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes (1978-1986), a role that launched Coleman into stardom. For playing the role of Arnold he received several accolades, which include two Young Artist Awards; in 1980 for Outstanding Contribution to Youth Through Entertainment and in 1982 for Best Young Actor in a Comedy Series; and three People's Choice Awards; consecutive three wins for Favorite Young TV Performer from 1980 to 1983; as well as nominations for two TV Land Awards. He was rated first on a list of VH1's "100 Greatest Kid Stars", and an influential child actor.
