His birthday wish? Diff'rent Strokes remake
Gary Coleman turns 40 years old today. Everybody together now: "What choo talkin' bout, Willis!"
It's at this point that normally I'd make a case that today's 80s birthday hero wasn't a one-trick pony. But sadly, Coleman doesn't give me much to work with. A quick glance at his work in the 80s ("On The Right Track," "The Kid With The 200 I.Q." etc. ) ... well, you just better love "Diff'rent Strokes!"
But give Gary credit: He's still a working actor. He may not have the tremendous acting chops of Conrad Bain or Dana Plato to lean on anymore. But I'd gladly exchange my paycheck for the one he got for playing "Pizza Guy" in 2007's "A Christmas Too Many."
Still, it's his guest appearances that I really covet.
TOP 5 GUEST APPEARANCES BY GARY COLEMAN IN THE 80s:
5. SIMON & SIMON: Every 80s star guest-starred on this show at one point or another. Coleman appeared in 1986 as "Lewis Peoples."
4. SILVER SPOONS: He played his Diff'rent Strokes character "Arnold Jackson" for one episode.
3. THE FACTS OF LIFE: He played "Arnold Jackson" for two episodes this time. Even Mrs. Garrett was ready to boot him from the house after that, I'm guessing.
2. STEVEN SPIELBERG'S AMAZING STORIES: Playing "Arnold" again? Yep. Only Spielberg could come up with a storyline for someone as overexposed as Coleman by now.
1. BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY: Coleman plays "Hieronymous Fox." Great stage name. And getting to snuggle up next to Erin Gray -- interstellar!
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His current day work in any reality show that will give him a dollar (or a McDonalds gift certificate, some postage stamps...anything!) is freakily scary. Did anyone see the diva-worthy meltdown that he had when Vanilla Ice threw a ""What choo talkin' bout, Willis!" his way on Surreal Life? Very messy, almost Bonoducean in it's insanity.
Posted by: Sherrie | February 08, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Gary used to live down the street from my parents in the south Denver suburbs. They tell me he was a quiet neighbor, and kept pretty much to himself (which, of course, is the textbook after-the-fact description of an axe-wielding maniac!)
They never actually went into his house, but the neighborhood gossip is that his entire basement was one huge toy train set-up.
I guess you need a place to be the Jolly Green Giant when you're the Little Green Sprout.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | February 08, 2008 at 10:41 AM
I did see the Coleman meltdown on The Surreal Life, Sherrie -- epic television.
The word "Bonoducean" is sheer genius, by the way. I'm already thinking of ways I can incorporate it into my everyday vernacular.
Posted by: jane | February 08, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Hieronymous Fox doesn't like chili with lizard meat in it.
Posted by: Smilin' Joe | February 08, 2008 at 12:11 PM
don't forget his role as the landlord in Avenue Q! ok, ok, its not really him, but that just makes it more funny. i thought it would be funny if they could get him to play the role, even for just a limited time, but nothing i see would indicate he has the sense of humor to do something like that.
Posted by: jim webster | February 08, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Great job Coleman..you did somthing most men CAN'T do..Marry a younger woman. I know what I'm talking about Willis!!
Posted by: Dr_Dug | February 12, 2008 at 10:19 PM