Gary Coleman
Born
February 8, 1968
Died
May 28, 2010 (42 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Zion, Illinois, USA
Gary Wayne Coleman (February 8, 1968 – May 28, 2010) was an American actor, known for his childhood role as Arnold Jackson in the American sitcom Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986) and for his small stature as an adult. He was described in the 1980s as "one of television's most promising stars". After a successful childhood acting career, Coleman struggled financially later in life. In 1989, he successfully sued his parents and business advisor over misappropriation of his assets, only to declare bankruptcy a decade later.
Known For

Gary
Self (archive footage)
2024

Showbiz Kids
Self (archive footage)
2020

Avenue Q
Gary Coleman
2017
Amnesia: Who Are You?
Internet Submission 2
2014

Midgets Vs Mascots
Himself
2011
The Horrible Terrible Misadventures of David Atkins
Himself · (1 episode)
2010

Nitro Circus Live
(1 episode)
2009

An American Carol
Slave
2008

The Great Buck Howard
Gary Coleman
2008

A Christmas Too Many
Pizza Guy
2007

Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Diff'rent Strokes'
Himself
2006

Church Ball
Charles Higgins
2006

The Tyra Banks Show
(1 episode)
2005

Robot Chicken
Arnold Jackson / Barry the Banana / James Robert 'Radio' Kennedy (voice) · (1 episode)
2005
Save Virgil
Himself, The Devil
2004

Drake & Josh
Gary Coleman · (1 episode)
2004

A Carol Christmas
Christmas Past
2003

Tupac: Resurrection
Self (archival)
2003

The Simpsons: Christmas
2003

Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star
Self
2003

Frank McKlusky, C.I.
Gary Coleman
2002

After They Were Famous
Self · (1 episode)
2002

Baby Bob
(1 episode)
2002

Night of the Living Doo
Gary Coleman (voice)
2001

My Wife and Kids
Himself · (2 episodes)
2001

Son of the Beach
(2 episodes)
2000

Shafted
Mister Gary Coleman
2000

The Parkers
(1 episode)
1999
Where Are They Now?
Self · (1 episode)
1999

Like Father, Like Santa
Ignatius
1998

Dirty Work
Self
1998

Waynehead
Kevin (voice) · (13 episodes)
1996

The Jamie Foxx Show
(1 episode)
1996

E! True Hollywood Story
(1 episode)
1996

Fox Hunt
Murray Lipschitz, Jr.
1996

MADtv
Self · (2 episodes)
1995

The Drew Carey Show
Drew's double · (1 episode)
1995

The Naked Truth
Gary Coleman · (1 episode)
1995

Sherman Oaks
(1 episode)
1995

The Parent 'Hood
(1 episode)
1995

The Wayans Bros.
Gary Coleman · (1 episode)
1995

Unhappily Ever After
Devil · (1 episode)
1995

S.F.W.
Gary Coleman
1994

The Ben Stiller Show
(2 episodes)
1992

Martin
(1 episode)
1992

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Arnold Jackson-Drummond · (1 episode)
1990

The Simpsons
Gary Coleman (voice) · (4 episodes)
1989
Nineteen Summers: San Diego Padres 1969-1988
1988

Married... with Children
Reverend · (1 episode)
1987

Married... with Children
Property Inspector · (1 episode)
1987

Gary Coleman: For Safety's Sake
1986

Amazing Stories
Arnold Jackson · (1 episode)
1985

227
(1 episode)
1985

Playing with Fire
David Phillips
1985

Night of 100 Stars II
Self
1985

The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins
D. C. Collins
1984

The Kid with the 200 I.Q.
Nick Newell
1983

Jimmy the Kid
Jimmy
1982

Silver Spoons
(1 episode)
1982

The Gary Coleman Show
Andy Le Beau · (26 episodes)
1982

The Kid with the Broken Halo
Andy LeBeau
1982

Simon & Simon
(1 episode)
1981

Entertainment Tonight
Self · (1 episode)
1981

On the Right Track
Lester
1981

Scout's Honor
Joey Seymour
1980

Lucy Moves to NBC
VP of Programming
1980

The Kid from Left Field
Jackie Robinson 'J.R.' Cooper
1979

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Hieronymous Fox · (2 episodes)
1979

The Facts of Life
(1 episode)
1979

Hello, Larry
Arnold Jackson · (3 episodes)
1979

Diff'rent Strokes
Arnold Jackson · (189 episodes)
1978

America 2-Night
Little Wayne Coleman · (65 episodes)
1978

Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited) · (1 episode)
1975

The Jeffersons
(1 episode)
1975

Good Times
(2 episodes)
1974

Today
Self · (1 episode)
1952