Interesting Facts About Gary Coleman

Gary Wayne Coleman was born in Zion, Illinois on February 8, 1968. W.G., a forklift operator, and his wife Edmonia Sue, a nurse practitioner, adopted the African-American baby. He was born with a kidney disease that would greatly affect his life. It also stunted his growth. That's why, when Gary Coleman reached the height of four-feet, eight-inches tall as a boy, he would maintain this size for the rest of his life. Read this informative article and find out more interesting facts about Gary Coleman!

Kidney Transplants
Gary Coleman underwent his first kidney transplant in 1973 when he was just 5 years old. He was a teenager when he had a second transplant in 1984. He undergoes kidney dialysis daily.

Childhood Star
Despite his persistent health problems, Gary Coleman still had a boyhood cuteness and a acting talent going for him. These traits earned him the role of "Arnold Jackson" on NBC's Diff'rent Strokes. The sitcom ran from 1978 to 1986. Arnold was known for his catchprase "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?"

An interesting fact about Gary Coleman is, his character Arnold was adopted, just as he was in real life. Another interesting fact about Gary Coleman is, at the height of his career, he earned $70,000 for every episode of Diff'rent Strokes.

The actor appeared on many TV shows like Good Times, The Jeffersons, Facts of Life and 227. Because of his childish looks and short stature, Gary Coleman was able to play much younger roles. He could pass for being 5 when he was ten-years-old.

Gary Coleman even acted in some movies like On the Right Track (1981) and the TV movie, The Kid with the Broken Halo (1983). The animated series, The Gary Coleman Show, was based on the latter. The cartoon-to which he loaned his voice- aired from 1982 to 1983.

An interesting fact about Gary Coleman is, he won People's Choice Awards for "Favorite Young TV Performer" from 1980 to 1983.