Todd Bridges believes Gary Coleman could have been saved from the pitfalls of child stardom if he had not been forced to become the breadwinner.
“That’s what happens when people get greedy,” Coleman’s “Diff’rent Strokes” co-star told Fox News Digital. “They tend to take money … and steal things. We’ve all lost money because of certain people.”
Todd Bridges as Willis Jackson, left, and Gary Coleman as Arnold Jackson (Herb Ball Photo Bank/NBCU/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
“The only thing that’s changed in my life is that I’ve gotten through it. I’m still here. I’m working and doing other things. … As far as Dana (Plato) and Gary, unfortunately, they’re not here anymore. … As far as Gary’s situation, I just think he was surrounded by the wrong people.”
‘Facts of Life’ star claims reboot was sabotaged by ‘greedy bitch’
Coleman, who entertained audiences on the hit ’70s sitcom, died in 2010 at the age of 42. The late actor is now the subject of a new Peacock documentary, “Gary.” It details his rise to fame and the challenges he faced living in the spotlight, as well as the circumstances surrounding his death.
The special features new interviews with Bridges, former managers, Coleman’s estranged relatives and his ex-wife, Shannon Price.
“That’s what happens when people get greedy. They tend to take money…and steal things. We’ve all lost money to people.”
Gary Coleman is the subject of a new documentary, “Gary.” (Herb Ball Photo Bank/NBCU/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
“It’s very important to talk about Gary Coleman,” said Bridges, 59. “People need to know who he really was. He was a good kid. People need to know that.”
“Diff’rent Strokes” debuted on NBC in 1978 and drew most of the laughs from Coleman, then a 10-year-old with perfect comedic timing.
He plays Arnold Jackson, the younger of two African-American brothers adopted by a wealthy white man. Race and class relations became topics of discussion in the series, as did the typical trials of adult life. Jackson’s catchphrase, “What are you talking about?”, would follow Coleman throughout his life.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Conrad Bain (center) played Philip Drummond in the hit ’70s sitcom. The series ended in 1986. (Herb Ball Photo Bank/NBCU/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
“When I first met Gary, I thought he was a very smart kid,” Bridges recalls. “I didn’t know what to think. I think he grew up around adults, so it was very different for him. I grew up around other kids. But I loved being around him.”
Todd Bridges talks about his friendship with Gary Coleman. (Peacock/Raw TV Ltd)
“I think about when Gary was with me and Dana,” Bridges said. “We were playing jump rope and Gary tried to jump the rope, but he couldn’t. He fell. We all started laughing, including Gary.”
Bringing the series to life wasn’t always a cakewalk. In the documentary, Bridges claims Coleman was forced by his father to continue working because he was ill.
Gary Coleman (right) poses for a portrait with co-stars Dana Plato and Todd Bridges while studying on set. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“I wasn’t happy (to see that),” Bridges said. “I knew he was sick. He should have had a chance to rest after the season was over. These seasons are not like today’s.”
Coleman’s small stature contributed to his child star appeal, but it was due to a serious health problem, kidney failure. He had his first transplant at age five and had to undergo dialysis. Even as an adult, he stood just 4’4″.
“Nowadays, we do eight shows and that’s it. It wasn’t like that for us,” Bridges said. “He did that for nine months straight. So he would go off and start making movies and stuff, even though he was sick. (…) Parents shouldn’t do that.”
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Willie Coleman, Gary Coleman’s father, has denied the allegations in the documentary. (Peacock/Raw TV Ltd)
Coleman’s parents, Sue and Willie Coleman, have denied the allegations in the documentary.
But during his lifetime, Coleman felt exploited. He sued his parents and former manager in 1989, according to the New York Times. The newspaper said he accused them of embezzling from his trust fund.
That year, Sue filed a petition in court seeking control of her son’s $6 million fortune, claiming the 21-year-old was incapable of managing his affairs. Coleman said the move “obviously stems from my frustration at not being able to control my life.”
At the time of his death, Gary Coleman was estranged from his mother, Sue Coleman. (Peacock/Raw TV Ltd)
In 1999, Coleman filed for bankruptcy protection, the outlet noted.
At the time of her death, Sue said she wanted to reconcile and was patiently waiting for her son to be ready, the Associated Press reported.
Coleman was the highest-paid child actor on television in the ’70s and ’80s. But as an adult, he was plagued by legal, financial, and health problems. Although he made television appearances and landed small roles over the years, he remained in the shadow of his former popularity. At one point, he worked as a security guard.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
As an adult, Gary Coleman attempted to revive his career. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Coleman wouldn’t be the only one facing the so-called “curse” of “Diff’rent Strokes.”
In 1989, Bridges was acquitted of attempted murder of a drug dealer. The 24-year-old testified at the time that he became depressed and turned to drugs after the cancellation of “Diff’rent Strokes.” In his 2010 memoir, Bridges said he was sexually assaulted by a publicist and family friend when he was 11.
Plato, who played the boys’ white teenage sister, pleaded guilty in 1991 to a robbery charge. She died in 1999 from an overdose of painkillers and muscle relaxants. The medical examiner’s office ruled the 34-year-old’s death a suicide.
Dana Plato died in 1999. She was 34 years old. (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
“I was 24, 25 when I realized I needed help,” Bridges said of his struggle with addiction. “I remember at first, Gary wouldn’t talk to me when I was having problems, when I was in a tough situation. And then when he started having problems, I called him and talked to him. He was like, ‘Why do you want to talk to me?’ I remember telling Gary, ‘Because I’m your brother, man. It happens. It’s okay. You’ll get through this.’”
Gary Coleman, seen here in this 2010 mugshot, has found himself in legal trouble. (Kypros/Getty Images)
“And Dana, she was such a light,” he added. “She was such a spark. I was really sad when that happened to her.”
NORMAN LEAR CHANGED TV CULTURE, FROM ‘ALL IN THE FAMILY’ TO ‘THE FACTS OF LIFE’
Todd Bridges struggled with addiction after ‘Diff’rent Strokes’. (Getty Images)
After “Diff’rent Strokes,” bets were made over which of the three child stars would die first, the documentary reveals. Bridges said he wanted to prove his critics “wrong.”
Coleman attempted to revive his career, but legal disputes dogged him repeatedly. He moved to Utah in 2005.
In September 2008, an altercation with a fan at a Utah bowling alley led Coleman to plead not guilty to disturbing the peace. A lawsuit was settled out of court.
By early 2010, police had been called to Coleman’s home more than 20 times. Some of those conflicts involved his wife, whom he met on the set of the 2006 comedy “Church Ball” and married in 2007.
Gary Coleman’s ex-wife Shannon Price spoke out in the documentary. (Peacock/Raw TV Ltd)
In 2010, Coleman suffered a brain hemorrhage after a fall. Two days after the accident, his life support was turned off, according to the documentary.
Bridges, who has been sober for more than 31 years, has founded a foundation to help other addicts, the Society of Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment. He also voices one of the characters in the upcoming animated series “Everybody Still Hates Chris.”
‘Little House on the Prairie’ Child Star Says Filming Was Like ‘Mad Men’: ‘Cigarettes and Gin Shots’
Todd Bridges and his wife will launch a podcast in November called “Dang!”, which will focus on the topic of “how to stay on the path to sobriety.” (Peacock/Raw TV Ltd)
He credited his Christian faith with keeping him grounded in Hollywood.
“Every time I go through a trial, I turn to God and things change in my life,” he said. “I believe in Him. People ask me why. I tell them I’ve had situations in my life where I knew He was real.”
Looking back, Bridges said many lessons were learned.
A young Todd Bridges as Willis Jackson. (Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
“What I always tell people is this: For every child actor you see making mistakes, I can name 10 who didn’t get into trouble,” he said. “I can’t blame it on child actors. It’s just a certain type of person. … We have to watch out for predators. They’re out there waiting.”
“Gary” premieres Aug. 29. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
