Gary Coleman Net Worth

What Was Gary Coleman's Net Worth and Salary?

Gary Coleman was an American actor who had a net worth of $75 thousand dollars at the time of his death in 2010. Gary Coleman was best known for his child performance as Arnold Jackson on the sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes." Due to the role, he became one of the highest-paid kid actors in the late '70s and '80s. He also won numerous awards. His catchphrase on the show, "What'chu talkin' bout, Willis?," is still very popular. When "Diff'rent Strokes" became a hit on NBC, ABC tried, with some success, to duplicate that show's formula of depicting a small but precocious African-American boy being raised in a white family. The resulting show, "Webster," starred Emmanuel Lewis.

Coleman also lent his voice to the animated programs "The Gary Coleman Show" and "Waynehead," and appeared in films such as "Jimmy the Kid," "Dirty Work," and "An American Carol."

"Diff'rent Strokes" Salary

At his peak, Gary Coleman earned $100,000 per episode on the show. That made him the highest-paid TV actor in the world at the time. He earned roughly $2.5 million per season, which is the same as around $6.5 million after adjusting for inflation. After he paid his parents, lawyers, advisers, and taxes, he was said to only have one-fourth of what he made.

Financial and Legal Struggles

Coleman was often burdened by financial issues during his career, due to both ongoing medical expenses and the fact that his parents and business advisers frequently misappropriated his earnings. In 1989, he sued his adoptive parents and former advisers, ultimately winning a $1.28 million settlement some years later. To support himself during his career struggles, Gary worked part-time at railroad hobby stores in California, Arizona, and Colorado.

While working as a security guard in 1998, Coleman was charged with assaulting a Los Angeles bus driver who requested his autograph. When an argument ensued, Gary punched the woman several times in the face and was arrested. He received a suspended prison sentence and was ordered to both pay the woman's hospital bill and enroll in anger management classes. The next year, Coleman filed for bankruptcy protection. Later on in his life, Coleman frequently ran into more legal trouble, being cited for instances of disorderly conduct, reckless driving, and domestic assault.

(Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images for Game Show Network)

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Gary Coleman was born on February 8, 1968, in Zion, Illinois. He was the adopted son of Edmonia Sue, a nurse practitioner, and W. G. Coleman, a forklift operator. He had a congenital kidney disease that would prevent him from growing beyond 4 feet 8 inches, and that would keep his face appearing childlike into adulthood. In an attempt to address this, he underwent two kidney transplants in 1973, and another in 1984, but they were unsuccessful.

Coleman's professional career began in 1974 when he appeared in a commercial for Harris Bank. That same year, he was in an episode of the CBS drama series "Medical Center." A few years later, he appeared in episodes of the CBS sitcoms "The Jeffersons" and "Good Times."

"Diff'rent Strokes"

In 1977, Coleman was in the pilot episode of the revival of "The Little Rascals." Although the series was not picked up, an executive noticed Gary, and subsequently cast him in what would be his most famous role: Arnold Jackson on "Diff'rent Strokes." Arnold was one of two African-American brothers from Harlem (the other played by Todd Bridges) who was adopted by a wealthy white Manhattan widower, portrayed by Conrad Bain. A major hit, the show ran for eight seasons, first on NBC and then on ABC. Coleman became known for his catchphrase on the show, "What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?," which he would utter suspiciously to his character's brother.

At the peak of his fame on "Diff'rent Strokes," Gary was reportedly earning $100,000 per episode. He received a plethora of accolades, including five Young Artist Award nominations and two wins, as well as four consecutive People's Choice Awards for Favorite Young TV Performer.

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Film and Television Career in the '70s and '80s

A popular figure due to the success of "Diff'rent Strokes," Coleman began appearing on other television productions, as well as in films. In 1979, he starred in the made-for-television movie "The Kid from Left Field," and had a guest appearance on the science-fiction program "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century." The following year, Gary was in the television film "Scout's Honor," and in 1981, made his feature film debut in the comedy "On the Right Track," starring as a young shoeshine boy who becomes famous for successfully gambling on horses. This was followed by "The Kid with the Broken Halo," "Jimmy the Kid," and three television films: "The Kid with the 200 I.Q.," "The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins," and "Playing with Fire." Meanwhile, in 1982, Coleman was the lead voice on the Saturday morning animated program "The Gary Coleman Show," which ran for 13 episodes.

Later Acting Career

In the 1990s, Coleman appeared in episodes of shows such as "Married… with Children," "Martin," and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." In 1996, he had a recurring role on the Saturday morning cartoon "Waynehead," which was created by actor Damon Wayans. On the big screen, Gary made cameo appearances as himself in the comedies "S.F.W." and "Dirty Work."

Coleman continued to make appearances as himself on many programs in the 2000s. His credits included "The Hughleys," "My Wife and Kids," "Baby Bob," "The Parkers," "The Surreal Life," "Drake & Josh," and "Nitro Circus." Among Coleman's last roles were in the comedies "Church Ball" and "An American Carol." His final film appearance came in the 2009 independent film "Midgets vs. Mascots."

Personal Life

While on the set of "Church Ball" in 2007, Coleman met Shannon Price, who was working as an extra. They wed many months later. After appearing on the show "Divorce Court" in 2008, they ended up divorcing, due in large part to Price being physically abusive and unfaithful.

In 2009, Gary had heart surgery and developed pneumonia. The next year, he suffered two seizures, and he was admitted to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah, after falling down the stairs of his home. In critical condition, his health worsened, and he was put on life support. Coleman passed away on May 28, 2010, at the age of 42.

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