R.I.P. Gary Coleman 1968-2010

[dmxx116]

My thoughts & prayers go out to the family & friends:

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20389492,00.html

Mod Note: Thread title corrected.

[Toon Master]

I believe you mean 1968 - 2010. But yes. Gary Coleman the man you all know by his catchphrase "What you talkin bout Willis" is DEAD. He died from a brain hemmorage suffered after hitting his head earlier this week. Word is he had been unconscious for quite sometime and after a while it seemed to late. Mr. Coleman was 42 years old as all stated in the link above i believe.

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

R.I.P., Gary.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tvsquad.com/media/2006/02/garyangel.jpg

[Rainbow Sharpie]

I had heard about this on MSN a few minutes ago, pretty shocking. I didn't even known was on life support :crying:

RIP Mr. Coleman, I thought you were a great actor

[Eleanor Hugbees]

He's had health problems all his life actually, so this one doesn't surprise me. You're in my prayers RIP.:sad:

[Grave]

Wow, I'm checking my email in yahoo, and one of the news alerts said he was on life support. Nothing about him passing.

R.I.P. Gary Coleman

[Kazuya Prower]

His friends and family have my condolences.

R.I.P. Gary Coleman. You were a great actor. :(

[Rick Jones]

RIP. Poor guy sure did suffer a lot in his time.

[KCJ506]

Didn't know he was on life support either.

RIP Arnold.:(

[AJW73]

:sad:*sigh* Looks like another part of my childhood has died.

RIP Lil' Arnold.:crying:

[Zen Man]

R.I.P.

Man Gary went through a lot of hard stuff both professionally and personally. But at least he's in a better place now.

[Michael24]

Wow! I read about him being in the hospital last night after a fall at his home, but I was surprised to see this news first thing this morning. The story I read didn't sound that bad as to require life support, so I was shocked this morning.

[dtemplar]

In memory of Gary Coleman:


"Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?"

[Aquadementia]

Very sad.
Seems like he had too much anger in his life and he was at odds with himself.

[cohenmarioman]

Wow, we just lost a legend. May he RIP

[Peter Paltridge]

No way; I heard he was ill yesterday, and had health problems for most of his life, but I thought if he'd beaten them before, he could again.....

Man, sad.

[Knightmare]

I loved Different Strokes as a kid and whenever I caught reruns it still made me laugh.

Gary seemed to have a lot of anger that he could never truly let go of, I hope that in his passing that he will finally find the peace that he could never find during his time on this world.

Rest In Peace Mr. Coleman and thanks for a lot of great childhood memeories.

[HG Revolution]

RIP

Wonder how this affects future Avenue Q performances.

[MasterDartz]

A life cut tragically short.

R.I.P Gary Coleman

[Dirty Dawg]

Although I was born in the early 90s, Gary was somewhat part of my childhood becuase I watched The Gary Coleman Show reruns on Cartoon Network.RIP Gary

[KJ Styles]

This is horrible news and I was shocked to hear it. Diff'rent Strokes is one of my favorite shows of all time and Gary Coleman was the biggest star. I thought he was hilarious and was saddened to hear that he passed away. He may be gone, but he'll never be forgotten. He was truly an icon, R.I.P. Arnold.

[Superpan]

Poeple have just been dropping dead alot these past few days. My cousin, Linkletter, a few other people, and now this shocker.

I always hate it when you go to your Yahoo page and you see newsflashes showing a person slowly dying.

RIP Gary

[Brandon Pierce]

The sad part is people on most other forums are cracking jokes related to his death. Compare that to Michael jackson. Making a joke so soon after his death, and you'd have a slew of fanatics on your behind.

[Shawn Hopkins]

The sad part is people on most other forums are cracking jokes related to his death. Compare that to Michael jackson. Making a joke so soon after his death, and you'd have a slew of fanatics on your behind.


The thing that made Gary angry, from what I can see, is that he was never allowed to keep what he desperately wanted. His dignity. Even after death all he gets is the pity and derision he got in life, he's made an object of kitschy fun. But he wasn't a little doll that shouted catchphrases, he was a human being.

But people aren't going to change, I guess, and it's too late now anyway.

[Gonzales]

Even though he was a very minor celebrity, I still feel like I'll miss him.

[Kenny E. McCall]

Quoted for truth, Shawn. Quoted for truth.

Dude was treated like a dog at times. But even though he was making wisecracks on Diff'rent Strokes at times, nobody gave him any respect, with all that he suffered in his life.

I could say the same thing for Dana Plato back in the day, but she brought most of her problems upon herself, while Gary suffered from his condition from birth.

At least you're in good hands with God right now.

Kenny E. McCall:(

[TnAdct1]

RIP

Wonder how this affects future Avenue Q performances. I don't think that would be a problem, since the musical's final song makes reference to George W. Bush's presidency, which has been over for almost 1 1/2 years now.

[MetroSparkster]

I remember watching the Gary Coleman cartoon and saw some cameos a year or two back.

He was a nice actor and it's terrible to see him go...

[Dark Fact]

This is really terrible terrible news. Coleman was a freaking ICON of television! To see him gone is a major loss for the world of entertainment.

R.I.P. Gary Coleman! :crying:

[Light Lucario]

This is tragic news. I didn't know that he suffered from health problem during his life or that he was on life support for awhile. While I never saw much of Different Strokes or his voice over work, I have heard about how he didn't really feel respect after the show was over. I hope that Mr. Gary Coleman feels more at peace now than he did during his sadly short time here. I also hope that his friends and family members are able to get through this emotionally hard time.

[Daxdiv]

I'll miss him, I enjoyed him in Diff'rent Strokes, he was kind of a delight in that show. Along with some of his work after that like cameos in shows like the Simpsons and some movies I watched. RIP Mr. Coleman.

[LDEJRuff]

Welcome to heaven, Andy LeBeau. It looks like your halo has finally been fixed.

[TMC1982]

It's awfully freaky knowing that Conrad Bain (Mr. Drummond) has already outlived two of his TV children (Dana Plato and now, Gary Coleman). :confused:

[DarthGonzo]

There one forum where I frequent where the main topic of discussion in the "RIP Gary Coleman" is nothing but short jokes. Page upon page of short jokes. Unbelievable sad how pathetically juvenile some people can be.

RIP Gary Coleman. Although I didn't really follow his career, "Different Strokes" was one of my favorite shows as a kid.

[SF4Ever]

Gary Coleman will be missed. Not only do I remember both Diff'rent Strokes and the animated Gary Coleman Show from NBC Saturday mornings, back in the early 1980's, but I also remember the last original episode of Fresh Prince of Bel Air, which he played Arnold Jackson-Drummond, one more time and bellowed his famous catch phrase to Will Smith("What'chu talkin' 'bout, Will?"). You would have to believe Todd Bridges, a.k.a. Willis Jackson-Drummond, is dealing with Gary's passing as best as he can, but as we all know as fans, it's not easy. May Gary rest in peace, and as always, to all great talent that we've lost that brought us joy and entertained us, thanks for the memories. Andy LeBeau is now an angel in real life. So long, Gary.

[Manga4life]

I'm sad to hear about the passing of Gary Coleman, I know he had his troubles throughout the years but I was a big fan of Diff'rent Strokes when I was really young and he was a huge part of why I was.

R.I.P Mr. Gary Coleman

[hobbyfan]

My pen-pal in Long Island heard it on the radio, then e-mailed me. Unfortunately for my developmentally challenged friend, he spelled Gary's name wrong (Coldman). I'd read about him being on life support just this morning, and then a few hours later, he's gone.

For most of us, the last real image we'll see of Gary is a guest gig in John Cena's A-Team parody video for "Bad, Bad Man" (2005), aside from being tabloid fodder the last few years.

RIP, Gary. You're in a better place now.

[J.E.Smith]

I don't think that would be a problem, since the musical's final song makes reference to George W. Bush's presidency, which has been over for almost 1 1/2 years now.

Actually they don't anymore. They replaced the Bush line with "Fox News"("Glen Beck" in the touring production).

I've heard that Avenue Q did a small tribute to him after tonight's show. I think the plan for now is to keep Gary in, but they're going to alter some of the lines.

[Luna]

I just found out...It's a real shame for someone to die so young....I loved Diff'rent Strokes as a child,and Arnold was one of my favorite characters,and I also loved Gary Coleman's later guest appearances on The Simpsons...

R.I.P. Mr. Coleman...

[HomeMoviesFan]

It's awfully freaky knowing that Conrad Bain (Mr. Drummond) has already outlived two of his TV children (Dana Plato and now, Gary Coleman). :confused:

Speaking of Conrad Bain, if anyone has seen Conan O'Brien's awesomely awesome tour, there's a certain musical number he sings that is filled with Diff'rent Strokes references. I wonder if he'll take them out for his final stops.

Though sad to hear about Gary Coleman. I always felt he didn't have the career he deserved. Rest in peace. :(

[Juu-kuchi]

The theme song did make a point that it takes different strokes to move the world, and well, thanks to Mr. Coleman his different strokes managed to move it to (for what time he gave us) a much lighter, funnier place.

But dead? Dead? Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis? Whatchoo talkin 'bout... :crying:

[cohenmarioman]

There one forum where I frequent where the main topic of discussion in the "RIP Gary Coleman" is nothing but short jokes. Page upon page of short jokes. Unbelievable sad how pathetically juvenile some people can be.

RIP Gary Coleman. Although I didn't really follow his career, "Different Strokes" was one of my favorite shows as a kid.

What forum would that happen to be?

Yeah, it is a great thing toonzone can handle this.

[Brandon Pierce]

What forum would that happen to be?
Internet Movie Database and AOL News.

[Shawn Hopkins]

What forum would that happen to be?

Yeah, it is a great thing toonzone can handle this.

There have been lots of "Watchoo talkin' about Willis?" references in this thread, too. Gary hated that catchphrase, it haunted him and it would make it angry when people would try to get him to say it. There's some reality show where someone tries to pressure him into it and he freaks the hell out. That is expressly not the way to honor his memory with respect.

And I don't know why Avenue Q would change. They used Gary Coleman as a character without his permission, he hated the way he was portrayed as a loser in it and the "It Sucks to Be Me" song where his life is judged the worst, and he almost sued them over it.

[EinBebop]

There have been lots of "Watchoo talkin' about Willis?" references in this thread, too. Gary hated that catchphrase, it haunted him and it would make it angry when people would try to get him to say it. There's some reality show where someone tries to pressure him into it and he freaks the hell out. That is expressly not the way to honor his memory with respect.Except this is the reason we know him. If that catchphrase hadn't been invented, this thread might not exist. Everything he did after was riding on the popularity of that catchphrase. Take that off the table, and there's not much in his public life to celebrate... just RIP and 'what a sad life' messages.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Except this is the reason we know him. If that catchphrase hadn't been invented, this thread might not exist. Everything he did after was riding on the popularity of that catchphrase. Take that off the table, and there's not much in his public life to celebrate... just RIP and 'what a sad life' messages.

But you also know that in his life being known only for that catchphrase caused him great pain. He wanted to be known for more than that, he wanted to be treated as a real person. Parroting it at him after his death and stubbornly letting him be no more than that catchphrase, jamming him in this little pop culture box with other 80s crap like Rubik's Cubes, that's disrespectful and dehumanizing.

And he is more than that. Beyond the catchphrase he was a good actor and a gifted comedian. He got handed a raw a deal as anyone in Hollywood ever got and he kept plugging away, he kept a sense of humor about it as much as can be expected. Those are things to remember him for.

[Light Lucario]

There have been lots of "Watchoo talkin' about Willis?" references in this thread, too. Gary hated that catchphrase, it haunted him and it would make it angry when people would try to get him to say it. There's some reality show where someone tries to pressure him into it and he freaks the hell out. That is expressly not the way to honor his memory with respect.

I think I caught a clip of that reality show when I was going through the channels. He did look and sound really angry when someone asked him to say that catchphrase. I think the show was called Punk'd, though I'm not sure if you're talking about a different reality show. Even though that catchphrase has been mentioned in this thread, I think that it is mostly used for respect/expressing their sadness over his death, instead of making fun of him. But I do agree with you that Mr. Coleman should be remembered and honored for more than just that catchphrase.

[Eleanor Hugbees]

I think I caught a clip of that reality show when I was going through the channels. He did look and sound really angry when someone asked him to say that catchphrase. I think the show was called Punk'd, though I'm not sure if you're talking about a different reality show. Even though that catchphrase has been mentioned in this thread, I think that it is mostly used for respect/expressing their sadness over his death, instead of making fun of him. But I do agree with you that Mr. Coleman should be remembered and honored for more than just that catchphrase.

Wasn't that the Surreal Life with Vanilla Ice of all people egging him on? I remember him dropping everything and catching a cab after that. :(

[stargirl]

"What you talkin' about Willis?"

RIP Gary Coleman, you were truly an entertainment icon. :(

[Shawn Hopkins]

Wasn't that the Surreal Life with Vanilla Ice of all people egging him on? I remember him dropping everything and catching a cab after that. :(

Right, because he hated it.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37386129/ns/today-entertainment/?ns=today-entertainment#slice-2

"I want to escape that legacy of Arnold Jackson," he told The New York Times during his gubernatorial run. "I'm someone more. It would be nice if the world thought of me as something more."

This is the last I'm going to say on this, but it seems to me that throwing out the thing that tormented the man isn't the correct way to honor his life. To put it in terms of cartoons, that's a little like inviting Homer Simpson to Frank "Grimey" Grimes funeral.

[Aquadementia]

I prefer to remember him as the president on Buck Rodgers.

There is nothing bad about that line.
It's just the biggest thing he's known for. No one has been using it in disrespect.

There are people making some truly tasteless jokes out there that I’m glad we aren’t getting any of here.

Right, because he hated it.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37386129/ns/today-entertainment/?ns=today-entertainment#slice-2

"I want to escape that legacy of Arnold Jackson," he told The New York Times during his gubernatorial run. "I'm someone more. It would be nice if the world thought of me as something more."

This is the last I'm going to say on this, but it seems to me that throwing out the thing that tormented the man isn't the correct way to honor his life. To put it in terms of cartoons, that's a little like inviting Homer Simpson to Frank "Grimey" Grimes funeral.
I have to put in that he would say the line if there was a paycheck in it for him.
I think he had problems with people trying to get him to say the line.
The only line that’s bigger is probably “I’ll be back” by Arnold Schwarzenegger. And that line is going to follow Schwarzenegger to the end of his days.
The difference between the two of them is you can try to intimidate Arnold into performing for you, but I doubt he’d feel it.

But lots of celebrities end up hating the thing that made them famous. It doesn’t mean the thing itself is bad.
What’s tragic though is never coming to terms with it.

[Gonzales]

But lots of celebrities end up hating the thing that made them famous. It doesn’t mean the thing itself is bad.
What’s tragic though is never coming to terms with it.
YES. THANK YOU. That's exactly how I've been feeling since yesterday.

With respect to Coleman, I can't feel bad for him. Everything he has, from his money to his fame, he owes to Arnold Jackson. Then he turns around and get's angry with people who remind him of that? Bull. You were Arnold Jackson. Embrace it, accept it, and move on.

Look at Arnold Schwarzenegger. He's become the success that he is because he embraced the Terminator image and used it to his advantage. Something Coleman never did.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Go ahead and spout false equivalencies and make the dead guy who lived a tormented, tragic life the bad guy if it makes you feel better about yourselves. Anything so you guys can react to the death of a human being with a catchphrase and not feel any guilt.

[Gonzales]

Go ahead and spout false equivalencies and make the dead guy who lived a tormented, tragic life the bad guy if it makes you feel better about yourselves. Anything so you guys can react to the death of a human being with a catchphrase and not feel any guilt.
Who's celebrating his death? Certainly not me. I hated that catchphrace with a passion myself. I thought it was the stupidest thing.

I'm just saying that I can't feel bad for his "plight of being tied to Arnold Jackson." It just comes off as being selfish to me.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Who's celebrating his death? Certainly not me. I hated that catchphrace with a passion myself. I thought it was the stupidest thing.

I'm just saying that I can't feel bad for his "plight of being tied to Arnold Jackson." It just comes off as being selfish to me.

Not celebrating, trivializing. And it's unfair to judge him and call him selfish for wanting to try to move past something he did before he hit puberty. Arnold Jackson shouldn't have been a life sentence.

[Eleanor Hugbees]

Not celebrating, trivializing. And it's unfair to judge him and call him selfish for wanting to try to move past something he did before he hit puberty. Arnold Jackson shouldn't have been a life sentence.

Yeah, it's pretty hard to embrace a role that pretty much ruined your career and personal life. Arnold Schwarzenegger is actually successful. This is going to sound pretty insensitive, but he was deformed, typecasted and bankrupted. Why people think that's the easiest thing to take in stride is beyond me.

I'm not trying to pity him because he wouldn't like that either, but some people really don't understand what he's been through .

[G. Wen]

Schwarzenegger embraced the Terminator image because the public looked to it as a hero with fear and veneration. Can you really say the same about Coleman and Arnold Jackson? People venerate the Terminator, they patronize Arnold Jackson.

[Master Toon]

I wasn't a big fan but a fan nonetheless. RIP Gary, RIP.

[Antiyonder]

Mod Note: No one is in trouble yet, but keep the thread focused on the topic and remember to keep the criticism civil and tasteful.

[EinBebop]

Yeah, it's pretty hard to embrace a role that pretty much ruined your career and personal life.

I can see how he would blame the show, but the reality is he had a bigger hurdle...his size. I think his exposure as a child star increased his odds for success more than it hurt.

[DarthGonzo]

I think his exposure as a child star increased his odds for success more than it hurt.

Tell that to most of the Little Rascals.

[Light Lucario]

Wasn't that the Surreal Life with Vanilla Ice of all people egging him on? I remember him dropping everything and catching a cab after that. :(

Oh yeah. I must have mixed up the two shows, but I do remember that cab scene. My mistake. Sorry about that.

Regardless about how he felt about his role as Arnold Jackson, I just hope that Gary Coleman is able to feel a deeper sense of inner peace than he could when he was here.

[Keiichi]

Gray Coleman 911 tape released (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2t3ncpyRb8) All I have to say is wow...just...wow....

[Toon Master]

The post with the 911 call featured one of the most disturbing 911 calls ive ever heard in my entire life. RIP Gary. That idiot Shannon Price did not deserve 50 cents from you.

[Tay the Cat]

The post with the 911 call featured one of the most disturbing 911 calls ive ever heard in my entire life. RIP Gary. That idiot Shannon Price did not deserve 50 cents from you.
Disturbing? Why?

[Keiichi]

Did you even listen to it?

[Tay the Cat]

Did you even listen to it?
Yeah. Sounded like a typical 911 call to me.

[Keiichi]

Yeah. Sounded like a typical 911 call to me.

You've gotta be kidding me. She was way too calm during the whole thing and was more concerned about herself. She acted like it was a bother just to get him a towl!

[Toon Master]

Yeah. Sounded like a typical 911 call to me.

Not really. She just randomly acted like a idiot and as if she caused it all. While she tries to yell at the dog he moans in the background and everytime the 911 dispatcher tells her to do something she freaks out and does nothing to help him at all. If she acted a bit quicker then maybe he could have been saved but i kind of doubt it. And no one really knows how long it took her to actually pick up the phone and say something.