
Arnold Jackson, played by Gary Coleman, is one of the two deuteragonists in the American television sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes'. The series aired on NBC from 1978 to 1985 and on ABC from 1985 to 1986. Arnold is the younger brother of Willis Jackson (played by Todd Bridges), and the two boys are adopted by a wealthy Park Avenue businessman, Phillip Drummond, and his daughter, Kimberly. Over the course of the show, Arnold has several love interests, including Jennifer and Charlene DuPrey, who was played by Janet Jackson.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Arnold Jackson's girlfriend in "Diff'rent Strokes" | Jennifer (in "The Honorable Arnold J. Jackson") and Alice (in "Arnold's Girlfriend: Part 1") |
| Name of Willis Jackson's girlfriend in "Diff'rent Strokes" | Charlene DuPrey |
| Actor who played Willis Jackson | Todd Bridges |
| Actor who played Arnold Jackson | Gary Coleman |
| Actor who played Charlene DuPrey | Janet Jackson |
| Actor who played Dudley Johnson | Shavar Ross |
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What You'll Learn
- Arnold's girlfriend, Jennifer, is introduced in the episode The Honorable Arnold J. Jackson
- Janet Jackson played Willis's girlfriend, Charlene DuPrey
- Charlene and Willis break up in season 6 but remain friends
- In the episode Double Date, Willis accompanies Arnold on his first date
- In Arnold's Girlfriend: Part 1, Fred Tanner wants his daughter Alice to be separated from Arnold

Arnold's girlfriend, Jennifer, is introduced in the episode The Honorable Arnold J. Jackson
In the episode "The Honorable Arnold J. Jackson" of the American television sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes', Arnold's girlfriend, Jennifer, is introduced. The episode first aired on November 24, 1984, during the show's seventh season. In the episode, Arnold, played by Gary Coleman, faces a difficult decision when he is appointed judge of his classroom court. He must choose between his friend Robbie and his girlfriend Jennifer.
"The Honorable Arnold J. Jackson" showcases Arnold's dilemma as he navigates the challenges of friendship and romance. It's worth noting that this episode focuses on Arnold's character development and his ability to make tough choices.
The introduction of Jennifer as Arnold's girlfriend adds a new dynamic to the show and provides an opportunity for exploring relationship themes. It is unclear how long Jennifer's character remained on the show or how their relationship progressed, but this episode marked a significant turning point in Arnold's story.
"The Honorable Arnold J. Jackson" is a memorable installment in the "Diff'rent Strokes" series, allowing viewers to witness Arnold's growth and the complexities of his relationships. It is a testament to the show's ability to explore diverse storylines and the evolving nature of its characters.
Overall, the episode "The Honorable Arnold J. Jackson" not only introduces Arnold's girlfriend, Jennifer, but also presents a thought-provoking situation that challenges Arnold's character and offers a glimpse into the show's exploration of relationships and personal conflicts.
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Janet Jackson played Willis's girlfriend, Charlene DuPrey
In the American television sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes', which aired from 1978 to 1986, Janet Jackson played Willis's girlfriend, Charlene DuPrey. Jackson's first appearance as DuPrey was in the 1980 episode 'First Love'. She was a frequent recurring character until the sixth season, when Charlene and Willis break up but remain friends.
'Diff'rent Strokes' stars Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges as Arnold and Willis Jackson, respectively. The two boys from Harlem are taken in by a wealthy Park Avenue businessman, Phillip Drummond (Conrad Bain), and his daughter, Kimberly (Dana Plato). Their mother, who previously worked for Drummond, had asked him to take care of her sons on her deathbed.
The series features a number of supporting characters outside the Drummond household, including Dudley Johnson (Shavar Ross), Arnold's best friend, who, like Arnold, was adopted. Other classmates and friends of Arnold include Robbie Jason (Steven Mond) and Lisa Hayes (Nikki Swasey), who initially had a crush on Arnold but later despised him.
In the episode 'The Honorable Arnold J. Jackson', Arnold faces a tough decision when he is appointed judge of his classroom court and must choose between his friend Robbie and his girlfriend Jennifer.
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Charlene and Willis break up in season 6 but remain friends
Arnold Jackson, portrayed by Gary Coleman, is one of the two deuteragonists in the American television sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes'. The series aired on NBC from 1978 to 1985 and on ABC from 1985 to 1986. Arnold is the younger brother of Willis Jackson (played by Todd Bridges), and they are two boys from Harlem taken in by a wealthy Park Avenue businessman, Phillip Drummond, and his daughter, Kimberly.
Willis Jackson, born in Harlem in 1965, was the older brother of Arnold. He was portrayed by Todd Bridges and was one of the main characters in the series. Willis was born in Harlem, New York City, and was orphaned along with his younger brother, Arnold, until they were adopted by Phillip Drummond in 1979.
Willis had a girlfriend named Charlene DuPrey, portrayed by Janet Jackson, who appeared in the show's third season (1980-1981) and remained a frequent recurring character until the sixth season. In the season four episode "Double Date", Charlene and Willis break up, but they remain friends. The reason for their break-up is that Willis called his girlfriend Charlene the wrong name, referring to her as "Janet".
Arnold also had a girlfriend named Jennifer, as revealed in the episode "The Honorable Arnold J. Jackson". In this episode, Arnold faces a tough decision when he must choose between his friend Robbie and his girlfriend Jennifer.
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In the episode Double Date, Willis accompanies Arnold on his first date
In the episode "Double Date", Arnold Jackson goes on his first date. However, his plans are almost ruined when Mr. Drummond refuses to let him go out at night without a chaperone. Luckily, Willis accompanies Arnold on his first date, and the two brothers head out together.
Arnold Jackson is played by Gary Coleman, and his older brother Willis Jackson is played by Todd Bridges. In the episode, Willis mentions his girlfriend Charlene DuPrey, played by Janet Jackson. Charlene is a recurring character in the series, introduced in the third season. Willis and Charlene break up in the sixth season but remain friends.
In "Double Date", Arnold's date is jeopardized by Mr. Drummond's concerns for his safety, which leads to Willis stepping in to accompany his younger brother. This episode highlights the close bond between the siblings, as Willis takes on a protective role, ensuring Arnold can still experience his first date despite their guardian's worries.
The episode also underscores the theme of family and the importance of support and guidance, especially in navigating new experiences like dating. "Double Date" showcases the Jackson brothers' relationship and how they navigate the challenges of growing up, with Willis often acting as a mentor or guide for Arnold as he enters adolescence.
In addition to the recurring theme of family, "Double Date" also delves into the complexities of young romance. Arnold's first date marks a significant milestone in his life, and the episode explores the excitement and challenges that come with navigating new romantic interests. The presence of Willis and his girlfriend Charlene adds a layer of complexity to the story, as their dynamic likely influences how Arnold perceives and approaches dating.
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In Arnold's Girlfriend: Part 1, Fred Tanner wants his daughter Alice to be separated from Arnold
In the 1979 episode "Arnold's Girlfriend: Part 1", Fred Tanner wants his daughter Alice to be separated from Arnold. Arnold, who is set to undergo an appendectomy, and Alice run away when they learn that they cannot share a hospital room.
In the episode, Arnold Jackson, played by Gary Coleman, is set to undergo surgery. Fred Tanner, played by Dabney Coleman, wants his daughter Alice, played by Rachel Jacobs, to be put in a bedroom away from Arnold. When the two learn of this, they run away.
The episode also features Todd Bridges as Willis Jackson, Dana Plato as Kimberly Drummond, and Charlotte Rae as Edna Garrett. It is the first part of a two-part story, with the second part, "Arnold's Girlfriend: Part 2", airing the same year.
In the series, Arnold and Willis Jackson are two boys from Harlem who are taken in by a wealthy Park Avenue businessman, Phillip Drummond, and his daughter, Kimberly, after their mother, who previously worked for Drummond, passes away.
In addition to the Tanner storyline, the episode "Arnold's Girlfriend: Part 1" also features a subplot in which Arnold faces a difficult decision as he is appointed judge of his classroom court and must choose between his friend Robbie and his girlfriend, Jennifer.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Arnold Jackson had a girlfriend named Jennifer.
The name of the episode was "The Honorable Arnold J. Jackson".
In the episode, Arnold is appointed judge of his classroom court and has to make a tough decision between his friend Robbie and his girlfriend Jennifer.
Yes, in the episode "Double Date", Arnold goes on his first date. However, it is not revealed who he goes on a date with.
Yes, Willis' girlfriend was named Charlene DuPrey, played by Janet Jackson.


































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