Luna Harper
Gary Coleman, who played Arnold Jackson in the hit sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes', was 10 years old when the show first aired in 1978. The show ran for eight seasons and ended in 1986, by which time Coleman was 18 years old. During the show's run, Coleman's character, Arnold, never aged, which was a source of frustration for the actor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the character | Arnold Jackson |
| Actor | Gary Coleman |
| Age of the actor when the show started | 10 |
| Year the show started | 1978 |
| Year the show ended | 1986 |
| Age of the actor when the show ended | 18 |
| Actor's height | 4 ft 8 in (142 cm) |
| Reason for the actor's short height | Kidney disease/nephritis |
| Actor's catchphrase | "What'chu talkin 'bout, Willis?" |
| Actor's age at death | 42 |
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What You'll Learn
Gary Coleman was 10 when cast as Arnold
Gary Coleman was just 10 years old when he was cast as Arnold Jackson in the hit sitcom Diff'rent Strokes. Coleman, who was born in 1968, had been acting since the age of 5, when he began modelling for retailer Montgomery Ward. He went on to appear in commercials for McDonald's and Hallmark.
Coleman's big break came in 1978 when he was cast as Arnold, an African American orphan who, along with his older brother Willis, is adopted by a wealthy white widower in Manhattan. The show was an instant success and ran for eight seasons, ending in 1986. Coleman's character was known for his catchphrase "What'chu talkin 'bout, Willis?", which he would say, often in response to statements by his brother.
Coleman received several accolades for his portrayal of Arnold, including two Young Artist Awards and three People's Choice Awards for Favorite Young TV Performer. At the height of his fame, he was earning $100,000 per episode. However, after Diff'rent Strokes was cancelled, Coleman struggled to find acting roles. He retired from the entertainment industry and, by the age of 18, had sued his parents and agent for misappropriation of his trust fund.
Coleman died in 2010 at the age of 42. His legacy includes not only his memorable performance as Arnold but also the impact he had on the industry as a whole. In a 1979 profile, People magazine wrote, "Pudgy cheeks, twinkling eyes, and flawless timing made him seem like an old pro packed into the body of a small child."
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He was 18 when the show ended
Gary Coleman, who played Arnold Jackson in the hit sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, was 18 when the show ended in 1986. Born in 1968, Coleman was 10 years old when he landed the role in 1978.
Coleman's small stature—he was 4 feet 8 inches tall due to a kidney condition—and charming personality made him perfect for the role of Arnold, an African American orphan who is adopted by a wealthy white benefactor, Philip Drummond. The show was an instant success, and Coleman's common exclamation on the show, "What'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?", quickly became a pop culture catchphrase.
Coleman's acting career slowed drastically after the cancellation of Diff'rent Strokes. At the time, he turned to his trust fund, which was estimated to hold nearly $18 million. However, Coleman, now almost 18, discovered only $220,000 in the fund. This led to a lawsuit against his parents and agent for misappropriation of his trust fund. Although he won the suit, Coleman saw little of his initial salary, receiving only $3.8 million. He struggled with depression after the settlement, later admitting that he had attempted suicide several times.
Coleman's name became a punchline in later years, and he was denigrated because of his short stature. He rarely found regular acting work, with only occasional guest spots on game shows and other sitcoms. He died in 2010 at the age of 42 after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
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Coleman's catchphrase: What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?
Gary Coleman, who played Arnold Jackson in the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, became known by his character's catchphrase "Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis?". The phrase was directed at his older brother Willis, played by Todd Bridges, to express disbelief or bewilderment. The catchphrase became so popular that it was used even outside the context of the show, with variations such as "What'cha talkin' about, Will?" being used.
Coleman's natural charm and comedic timing, showcased in his delivery of this catchphrase, helped make the show a breakout hit. "Diff'rent Strokes" aired from 1978 to 1985 on NBC and then on ABC for its final season in 1986. The show's premise centred on two inner-city children, Arnold and Willis Jackson, who are taken in by a wealthy businessman, his daughter, and their housekeeper.
Coleman's performance as Arnold Jackson earned him widespread recognition and accolades. He received five Young Artist Award nominations, winning two, and four consecutive People's Choice Awards for Favorite Young TV Performer from 1980 to 1983. At the height of his fame, he earned $100,000 per episode, a substantial sum that unfortunately dwindled due to financial mismanagement and legal issues.
Despite his success on "Diff'rent Strokes", Coleman faced challenges in his adult life. He struggled to find acting roles after the show's cancellation and dealt with legal and financial troubles. Coleman's name became a punchline, and he was ridiculed for his short stature, which was a result of a kidney condition.
Coleman's impact on pop culture was undeniable, and he is remembered as one of the most influential child actors. His character Arnold's catchphrase, "Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis?", remains iconic and emblematic of Coleman's talent and charm.
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Coleman's net worth at the end of the show
Gary Coleman, who played Arnold Jackson in the hit sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, was one of the highest-paid child actors of his time. At the peak of his fame, he earned $100,000 per episode, which equates to $388,105.58 per episode in 2025. However, despite his success and wealth during the show, Coleman faced financial troubles later in life.
Coleman's parents set up a trust fund for his earnings, but they also set themselves up as paid employees of his production company, allowing them to live off his salary. When the trust fund was dissolved in 1986, when Coleman turned 18, his parents' share was worth $770,000, while he was left with only $220,000.
Coleman later discovered that his fortune, which should have been in a trust fund, was mostly gone. He sued his "adopted parents," as he referred to them, and won the lawsuit. Unfortunately, he lost the money again in attorneys' fees and bad investments. By the 1990s, he was working as a security guard on a movie set.
At the time of his death in 2010, Coleman's net worth was estimated to be $75,000. However, a Biography Channel documentary estimated that he only had access to around a quarter of his earnings from Diff'rent Strokes due to payments to his parents, advisers, lawyers, and taxes.
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Coleman's height was 4 ft 8 inches
Gary Wayne Coleman was born in Zion, Illinois, on February 8, 1968, and grew up with his adopted parents. By age 5, he was modelling for retailer Montgomery Ward, followed by appearances in commercials for McDonald's and Hallmark. In 1974, he appeared in a commercial for Harris Bank. In the mid-1970s, he acted in an episode of Medical Center. In 1977, he appeared in a pilot for a revival of The Little Rascals as Stymie, which caught the attention of a producer, who decided to cast him as Arnold Jackson in the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986).
Coleman played the signature character of Arnold Jackson in Diff'rent Strokes, a role that launched him into stardom. He received several accolades for his role, including two Young Artist Awards and three People's Choice Awards. At the height of his fame, he earned $100,000 per episode. His character's catchphrase, "What'chu talkin 'bout, Willis?", became well-known.
Coleman's career included a range of acting credits and television appearances. He ventured into politics in the 2003 California recall election, where he ran as an independent candidate for governor. He also portrayed a fictional version of himself in the video game Postal 2 and appeared in John Cena's music video for "Bad, Bad Man".
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Frequently asked questions
Gary Coleman was 10 years old when he started playing Arnold Jackson in 1978.
Coleman was 18 years old when the show ended in 1986.
Coleman was between 10 and 18 years old when he said this famous line.
Coleman died on May 28, 2010, at the age of 42.
