Gary Coleman’s Death: End of a Tragic Life

Posted on 31 May 2010.

*This one really hit close to home because Gary Coleman (Arnold in the Different Strokes sitcom) and I are both 42 years old. I was just reflecting on his life. It appears to me that each time his name (or character which ever you prefer to call him) hits the media, there was always some scandal or tragic event attached. This is so sad, but such is the case with many child stars. With the death of Arnold, Todd Bridges (Willis) is the sole survivor of the trio. (Kimberly, Willis and Arnold) However his life has not been a crystal stair, either. Was there a trend of depression, suicide and addiction in this set of sitcom characters that went unrecognized?
Let’s just review the cast of stars for a brief minute. Do you remember Dana Plato (Kimberly)? She had a life full of addiction. Guess what she died of an overdose. Please be reminded that 95% of people who complete suicide (gingerly called an overdose in some circles) have a mental illness. Also, 85% of that group has a depressive illness. However, none of that was discussed with her case. Now, I must inform you that she left a 14 year old son who subsequently completed suicide recently. The rumor mills states that he never got over his mother’s death.
Let’s quickly shift to Todd Bridges. Now Willis is no stranger to substance addiction and even homelessness. I would love to have a conversation with him on today. I wonder if he could be transparent about his life, depression and pain. He opens up in an occasional interview, but I would love to have a face-to-face and go a little further below the surface of his life.
Finally, Arnold is the man of the hour. He made us all laugh. He was the cute little child star with the chubby cheeks. Did he parents really steal all of his money? Did he really have a handle on his esteem issues and his chronic medical illness? Was he ever able triumph over his pain? The child star syndrome haunts many; however there is a way to tackle the demons of depression and addiction. You fight both of these trouble with the proper care and follow-up with a licensed professional. However, whatever you do open yourself up to self-introspection and get the help that you need.
Just a reminder, if you have been suffering on an emotional roller-coaster, take a few minutes to take the test on www.askdro.com to see if you need clinical help, life coaching or a prescription for success.

http://www.drowensmd.com/index.php?option=com_php&Itemid=7

Nikki

This death took me quite by surprise. I hadn’t even heard that he was ill. Surely this man was riddled with pain. His overt aggression in the recent past had made that very clear. You wonder about Hollywood sometimes…when will “the industry” start looking at its actors as PEOPLE rather than products? The law makes it so that child stars MUST have educational providers in their midst at all times but wen will they realize that forcing child stars to live adult lives should also require mental health intervention as well? Often carrying the weight of their families on their back as the breadwinner is a heavy load to bear for young people and when their lives are legally still not their own. While I doubt that this death will have the impact to force “the industry” to look at the way they treat their hottest commodities, I hope that it awakens one stage parent who, in their hands, hold the key to a healthy and happy life for THEIR most important gift…their child.
armageddon16

tragic can’t be aid enogh but he will always be love an cherished a funny man even in the after life….gone but not forgotten
Sharitta

He will be truely missed! His life was good as a child star until he became of age to notice that the people around him was bleeding him dry! He could never recover from the money that was taken from him. That sent him into a lifestyle of problems. He was a good person from a far. He now can rest in peace! Hopefully!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anthony

Yes this was a very sad ending.
Its amazing that when people are alive the media haunts them and drags their name through the mud but then everyone is jumpng to his defense now.
Where were these so called friends when he was alove and going through whatever demons he had?
Im just glad that i can look back at his work and remember the good times and the difference that he made in comedy.
Essdie

Here we go again! May God grant Gary Cloeman eternal peace and rest. He never found them in life. Let’s face it, he portrayed nasty, ill-spirited characters and was described as “cute” because of his stature! He aged into a bitter, mean adult and never learned how to be a grown-up. It is unfortunate that he died fairly young, but he was no saint. WHY do people let someone die and then decide to beautify the ugly???