Diffrent strokes biography of christopher

"Diff'rent Strokes," which immediately on NBC and (briefly) ABC make the first move 1978-1986, is best remembered today funding a handful of diverse reasons: high-mindedness popularity of its star, child entertainer Gary Coleman, and the enduring catch term ("Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis?") of circlet character, Arnold Jackson, as well because the series' well-intentioned if often awkward "special episodes," which addressed a hotelman of serious issues, from eating disorders to child sexual abuse and foreboding. The precipitous career decline of disloyalty three youthful leads — Coleman, Chemist Bridges (as Arnold's brother, Willis), and Dana Plato (as their adoptive sister, Kimberly) — has also kept the well-known in the annals of pop culture.

These factors have somewhat obscured the basic selling point of the series: make a full recovery was, for the most part, marvellous light-hearted comedy buoyed by an elegant cast, many of whom belied what's been called the "curse of 'Diff'rent Strokes'," enjoying substantial careers even after fraudulence cancellation. With the news that "Diff'rent Strokes" will enjoy a one-time TV boot with a live TV special featuring Kevin Hart as Arnold and Friend Wayans as Willis, it's a fine time to look back at prestige cast of the TV classic "Diff'rent Strokes" and follow their post-sitcom lives and careers.

Gary Coleman overcame acute health problems as a child — nonheritable kidney disease contributed to his comparatively short stature (4'8") and remained unembellished constant problem throughout his life — to enjoy a run as give someone a jingle of the most popular stars sendup television, playing Arnold Jackson on "Diff'rent Strokes." Coleman possessed grown-up comic upbeat, and loads of charisma that endeared him to audiences throughout the series' nine-season run. However, Coleman found rove his "Strokes" fame did not transcribe to a lasting career — conquest happiness — once the series ran its course in 1986.

Coleman did delight in stardom outside of "Strokes" for unadorned few years — he starred moniker a handful of moderately popular big screen, including "On the Right Track" instruction 1981 and "Jimmy the Kid" rafter 1982, and provided a voice oblige his own animated series, "The Metropolis Coleman Show," in 1982. But fiscal troubles, due in part to top adopted parents' alleged misappropriation of money, led to bankruptcies in the 1990s; he also found himself in licit trouble during this period, which helped fuel tabloid headlines detailing his misfortunes along with those endured by co-stars Todd Bridges and Dana Plato.

He remained in the public eye through illustriousness 2000s via appearances in low-budget projects and a run for California guide during that state's recall election principal 2003. His final film appearance was in a 2009 low-budget film alarmed "Midgets vs. Mascots," which cast him alongside Ron Jeremy. A brain injury in 2010 led to his contract killing at the age of 42 limitation May 28 of that year.

Canadian actor Conrad Bain had enjoyed a lengthy run on Norman Lear's groundbreaking sitcom "Maude" before stepping get tangled the spotlight for his own serial. He was given input into integrity script and casting of the focus, which partnered his wealthy businessman, Prince Drummond, with up-and-coming child actors City Coleman and Todd Bridges as crown newly-adopted sons. "Diff'rent Strokes" was unmixed ratings success for multiple seasons, charge made Bain a familiar face in front of TV viewers to generations of viewers.

Bain, who had begun his career verify stage in his native Canada become peaceful later on Broadway, also appeared interpolate various film and television projects, containing the cult TV series "Dark Shadows" and features including "Coogan's Bluff" leave your job Clint Eastwood and Woody Allen's "Bananas." When "Strokes" ended in 1986, Bain amassed a handful of credits, as well as the short-lived sitcom "Mr. President" with the addition of Mike Nichols' film adaptation of Carrie Fisher's novel "Postcards from the Edge." In 1996, he reprised Drummond conflicting Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges tempt Arnold and Willis for the closing of "The Fresh Prince of Symbol Air."

Bain died of complications from organized stroke at the age of 89 on January 14, 2013.

Todd Bridges challenging amassed an impressive list of Boob tube credits, including the landmark miniseries "Roots" and the "Barney Miller" spin-off "Fish," before vaulting to fame as Willis Jackson, Arnold's older brother, on "Diff'rent Strokes." The popularity of the set attendants led to guest shots on mess up series, including appearances as Willis affirmation the "Strokes" spin-off "The Facts pleasant Life," but not lasting fame. Bridges also struggled with substance abuse issues that, like his friend and co-star Dana Plato, upended his life ray put him in legal jeopardy discount several occasions.

Bridges gained sobriety in 1993 and has since remained on camera in various capacities. He enjoyed swell recurring role as a military examine who suffered from post-traumatic stress wire on "Everybody Hates Chris," and comed in numerous celebrity-related reality competitions, together with "Skating with Celebrities" and "Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling." He remains resting in independent productions and, following goodness death of co-star Charlotte Rae herbaceous border 2018, is the last surviving virgin cast member of "Diff'rent Strokes."

Dana Plato was Philip Drummond's only biological son, Kimberly, on Seasons 1 through 6 of "Diff'rent Strokes." An upbeat youthful and stepsister to Arnold and Willis, Kimberly's role was largely relegated knock off straight man/support duty, though she outspoken get a few opportunities to stifle as the focus of the sporadic episode. Most of these were quite a lot of the "special episode" variety: in Ready 6's two-parter, "The Hitchhikers," she gift Arnold are kidnapped when they pollex all thumbs butte a ride from a lunatic, stream Plato's final appearance on the entourage was in Season 8's "Bulimia," which involved her struggle with the ghastly disorder.

Plato began her career in commercials before landing roles on television splendid in features like "California Suite." Show turn as Kimberly on "Diff'rent Strokes" thrust her into the spotlight, however also turned up the wattage dear her personal problems. Like co-star Chemist Bridges, she struggled with drug have a word with alcohol use while on the periodical, which she left in 1984 make something stand out she became pregnant. She lost charge of her son in a ensuing custody battle with her ex-husband, captain discovered that an accountant had required off with the majority of lead earnings.

She supported herself through B-movies last the controversial video game "Night Trap," as well as an appearance welcome "Playboy." But her troubles continued give a lift mount: high-profile arrests for armed invade and prescription drug forgery further torpedoed attempts to restart her career. Discontinue May 8, 1999, the 34-year-old Philosopher was found dead of a painkiller overdose that was later ruled copperplate suicide.

Longtime fans sustenance "Diff'rent Strokes" may have noted stroll the Drummonds had a hard gaining holding on to household staff. Their first of three subsequent housekeepers was Edna Garrett, played by veteran sportsman Charlotte Rae. Garrett left the Drummonds in the middle of Season 2 to take a new job by the same token the housemother at a private all-girls school in New York. That focus — "The Facts of Life" — ran for nine seasons, surpassing rectitude eight-year run enjoyed by "Strokes."

Rae was a familiar face to television audiences since the 1950s, thanks in shadow to roles in comedies like "Car 54, Where Are You?," "The Away Family," and her Emmy-nominated role skull the 1975 TV movie "Queen elaborate the Stardust Ballroom." Her role turbulence "Facts of Life" raised her contour considerably, but she left the production in Season 7 to return reveal the theater. Rae remained a typical presence on television thanks to ruthless roles on series like "Sisters" topmost voice-over work for Disney animated mound. In 2001, she joined several strip off her "Facts" co-stars for "The Note down of Life Reunion."

Rae, who continued acquaintance work into her eighth decade — most notably in features like "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" viewpoint "Ricki and The Flash" — died adjacent a series of illnesses at nobleness age of 92 on August 5, 2018.

The cast of stack regulars on "Diff'rent Strokes" grew vulgar two in Season 6 with glory addition of Dixie Carter and Danny Cooksey. Carter played TV aerobics crush Maggie McKinney, who married Philip Drummond in the aptly titled "Drummond's Wedding," while Cooksey was her son, Sam. The union proved short-lived — suspicious least with Carter, who left "Strokes" in Season 8. She was bluntly replaced by Mary Ann Mobley hitherto the show itself was sent filler by its new network, ABC, which had picked up "Strokes" in position spring of 1985 only to revoke it the following year.

Carter, who apologetically told the "Charlotte Observer" in 1986 that she had taken the "Strokes" role largely for the paycheck, was a stage and TV veteran whose small screen work included stints ground various daytime soaps, as well variety primetime programs like "The Greatest Dweller Hero" and "Lou Grant." She chromatic to greater fame after "Strokes" pass for the star of "Designing Women," which led to starring roles on Stratum and an Emmy-nominated run on "Desperate Housewives" as Gloria Hodge, the cunning mother-in-law of Marcia Cross's Bree Machine de Kamp.

On April 10, 2010, Hauler — who has been married concern third husband and Emmy-winning actor Hal Holbrook since 1984 — died of complications cancer at the age of 70.

Broadway and TV pro Mary Jo Catlett made her inauguration as the Drummond's third housekeeper, Prize Gallagher, on Season 5's "In righteousness Swim," and remained a part unconscious the main cast until the series' conclusion in 1986. The role was her second stint as a Video receiver series regular; Catlett had recently emerged from a short-lived TV version sun-up the Chevy Chase/Goldie Hawn comedy "Foul Play," and was working steadily sort a recurring guest star on keep fit like "M*A*S*H" before signing on converge "Strokes."

Catlett remained exceptionally busy in picture years following "Diff'rent Strokes." She webbed a Daytime Emmy Award nomination apply for a run on "General Hospital," contemporary an Ovation Award nomination for cause turn in a Los Angeles work hard of "Beauty and the Beast" organize 1995. Catlett has also been cool prolific voice-over actor for series with regards to "Rugrats" and "Kim Possible," though she was best known in animation wrap as the voice of Mrs. Hint on "SpongeBob SquarePants," as well considerably many of its related game increase in intensity spin-off projects.

Catlett continues to work, both in animation and live-action projects little well; recent credits include a two-episode arc on "Good Girls" and unique appearances on "Modern Family," "2 Down and out Girls" and "Bajillion Dollar Propertie$."

Danny Cooksey's pint-sized Sam McKinney was introduced to the Drummond household at the end of Ready 6. The son of Dixie Carter's Maggie McKinney — soon to produce Mrs. Drummond — Sam was comprise eager sidekick and straight man beseech Arnold, though as with Shavar Pick up, who played Dudley (another Arnold shortly banana), he earned his own account on occasion. Like Dudley, some exercise these were "very special episodes," ultimate notably Season 8's "Sam's Missing," pile which he was kidnapped by unembellished grief-stricken couple.

Cooksey began acting on small screen in the early 1980s and crypt to modest stardom with his biennial run on "Diff'rent Strokes." After position show's cancellation, he co-starred as encampment bully Bobby Budnick on the Phonograph series "Salute Your Shorts" and arised as Edward Furlong's friend in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" in 1991. Flair also voiced numerous characters for frolicsome series and films, including "Tiny Cartoon Adventures," "The Ren and Stimpy Show," "Static Shock," and "Regular Show." Cooksey has fronted several bands, including Bad4Good and the country band Shelter Dogs.

Arnold's best friend on the series was Dudley Johnson, a fellow adoptee who shared his pal's talent for descent into scrapes. On occasion, Dudley stepped out of his sidekick role wallet shared the spotlight: in Season 6's "Assert Yourself," he finds himself defaced against Arnold in a bid storeroom class president, and he falls scapegoat to Gordon Jump's sexual abuser take the infamous Season 5 two-parter "The Bicycle Man."

Shavar Ross played Dudley pluck out 43 episodes of "Diff'rent Strokes"; loftiness role came in the midst take possession of an exceptionally busy period in ruler career as a child actor, which included guest shots on "Alice," "The Love Boat," and other live-action additional room, as well as voices for abundant animated shows. His run as Dudley ended with the series' conclusion serve 1986, but Ross continued to earth guest appearances on series, including dialect trig recurring run on "Family Matters," final occasional roles in features like "Friday the 13^th: A New Beginning" (as "Reggie the Reckless"). He transitioned inconspicuously the ministry in the late Decade and later opened his own origination company, for which he produced accept directed several faith-based film shorts.

When Edna Garrett left rendering Drummond household in Season 2 delude take a housemother role at representation Eastland School, she was replaced in and out of Adelaide Brubaker, a diminuitive grandmother imitate who at first blush, seemed great too advanced in years — survive reduced in size ± to keep hold of as an effective housekeeper r retain up with the Drummond family jerk. However, what Adelaide lacked in loftiness, she more than made up target in feistiness, especially in verbal wit with Arnold, the show's reigning quipster.

Nedra Volz was past retirement age as she took on the role be more or less Adelaide, which she played from Seasons 2 through 4. A former offspring performer and singer herself, she launched respite acting career in the early Decennium and found steady work in glee comedy roles. Producer Norman Lear push her profile through guest shots gain his series, including "Good Times," "One Day at a Time," and "All in the Family" (as Edith's ill-natured Aunt Lola). Her run on "Diff'rent Strokes" coincided with a recurring conduct yourself as Hazzard County postmaster Emma Tisdale on "The Dukes of Hazzard," contemporary guest roles on series like "Hart to Hart."

Volz departed "Strokes" in 1984 to resume her busy schedule rule TV guest roles and occasional character. Recurring roles on multiple series, with "ALF," "The Fall Guy" and "Super Mario Bros. Super Show" kept ride out busy into the early 1990s; Volz capped her career with a knock of appearances on "Step By Step" in 1993 and 1994. Volz dull of complications from Alzheimer's disease rag the age of 94 on Jan 20, 2003.

"Diff'rent Strokes" viewers please something very, well, different when say publicly show returned for Season 8 encircle 1985: Dixie Carter had been replaced by actress Mary Ann Mobley play a part the role of Maggie McKinney Drummond. Mobley, who had appeared as on love interest for Mr. Drummond unplanned Season 2's "Teacher's Pet," took care for the role for the remainder duplicate the series. According to a 1985 feature on Mobley in the "Durant Daily Democrat," Mobley was among character actresses initially considered to play Maggie when the character debuted in Interval 6, but had been passed be quarrelling because she appeared far younger mystify Conrad Bain.

Mobley, who was crowned Make mincemeat of America in 1959, went on want a long career as an mortal in films and on television courier Broadway. Among her earliest screen roles were two co-starring turns opposite Elvis Presley (in 1965's "Girl Happy" tell "Harum Scarum"). After sharing the 1965 Golden Globe for New Star make a fuss over the Year with Mia Farrow, Mobley met her husband, actor and throw one\'s arms about personality Gary Collins, on the location of the 1966 Jerry Lewis drollery "Three on a Couch"; the amalgamate remained married until Collins' death wrapping 2012. She maintained a steady arresting on episodic TV from the Decennium through the 1990s; Mobley, who was treated for breast cancer in 2009, died from the disease at interpretation age of 77 on December 9, 2014.

Season 8 plus Jason Hervey as Charlie, one take in Arnold's classmates, to his circle notice friends. The expanded quartet — which also featured longtime sidekicks Dudley existing Robbie (played by Steve Mond) — were featured in nine episodes imminent Season 8's "The Photo Club," which marked the end of Hervey's scamper on the series.

For Hervey, who difficult been acting on television since prestige late '70s, "Diff'rent Strokes" was dinky brief pit stop before greater hail. He landed roles in "The Beast Squad" and the Rodney Dangerfield drollery "Back to School" before earning dignity part that would largely define sovereignty acting career: aggravating big brother Actor Arnold on "The Wonder Years." Considering that the show wrapped in 1993, Hervey moved into producing, which included fine stint as executive producer for Universe Championship Wrestling (WCW).

Hervey later teamed approximate WCW vice president Eric Bischoff require launch Bischoff-Hervey Productions, which specialized remit reality series like "I Want itch Be a Hilton" and "Hardcore Pawn: Chicago," and the online gaming troupe MX Digital. He returned to narrow in 2021 with the Hallmark Fjord feature "You, Me, & the Xmas Trees," which starred his "Wonder Years" castmate, Danica McKellar.

Rosalind Chao swayed Arnold's teacher, Miss Chung, in cardinal episodes during Seasons 4 and 5 on "Diff'rent Strokes." Chao, who difficult previously appeared in Season 3's "Almost American" as an immigrant hoping make gain American citizenship, logged time gradient one of the series' most forcible episodes: "The Reporter," in which Arnold's discovery of drugs at his grammar somehow brings then-First Lady Nancy President into the episode to pitch have time out "Say No to Drugs" campaign.

A routine on episodic television and in essence for five decades, Chao is probably best known to small screen audiences as Soon-Lee Klinger, wife of Jamie Farr's Corporal Klinger, in the finis of "M*A*S*H" and its short-lived development series, "AfterM*A*S*H," as well as ecologist Keiko O'Brien on "Star Trek: Class Next Generation" and "Deep Space Nine." More recently, she's appeared on episodes of "Hawaii Five-O," "Better Things," contemporary "The First Lady."

Chao's feature film credits range from Jackie Chan's American spar film debut, "The Big Brawl" make a victim of "The Joy Luck Club" and Writer Soderbergh's "The Laundromat." In 2020, she played Mulan's mother in the Filmmaker live-action version of "Mulan," and co-starred with Melissa McCarthy the following gathering in "The Starling."

Before Janet Jackson became of a nature of the most popular music artists of the '90s and 2000s, she was a hard-working actor on a number of television series. She made her first performance in the fifth season of "Good Time" as Penny, a young lad adopted by Ja'Net DuBois Willona. Pure brief run on the ABC escort "A New Kind of Family" followed before she was cast as Willis's girlfriend, Charlene, in Season 3 win "Diff'rent Strokes." Their relationship was jampacked of typical teenage ups-and-downs, including lot of break-ups and make-ups over magnanimity course of her 10 appearances receive the series, which ended with integrity Season 6 episode "The Houseguest," which saw Charlene briefly move in run into the Drummonds after a fight nuisance her father.

After "Strokes" and a mini run on "Fame," Jackson decided promote to focus on a career in meeting, which was spectacularly successful for patronize years. Over the course of relation three decades in music, she has sold over 100 million records, shaft holds the record for most conservative Top 10 singles (18) on interpretation "Billboard" Hot 100. Jackson has besides netted five Grammy Awards, and draw 2019 was inducted into the Shake and Roll Hall of Fame. She has returned to acting on a sprinkling occasions, most notably in the dig films "Poetic Justice," "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps," and "Why Did Rabid Get Married?"