Image Credit: Robert Phillips/Everett CollectionGary Coleman, who passed away today at the age of 42, had his share of ups and downs since his days on the 1978-86 comedy Diff’rent Strokes. But all it took was that one standout performance as the adorable and feisty Arnold Jackson to carve himself a place in pop culture history. Say what you will, but few lines are more iconic than Coleman’s “Whatchoo talkin’ ’bout, Willis”? Here, we’ve rounded up five memorable moments featuring Coleman in the role that made him a child star.
• Coleman shared the screen with First Lady Nancy Reagan, who guest-starred in a season 5 episode to promote her “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign.
• In one of TV’s early “very special” episodes, a pedophile bike-shop owner (played by WKRP in Cincinnati‘s Gordon Jump) gets creepy with Arnold and his friend Dudley.
• In one of the show’s early episodes, Arnold and Willis have trouble adjusting to their new privileged life with the Drummonds.
• A young Janet Jackson (fresh off of Good Times) stops by to flirt with Willis and show off her pipes.
• Arnold goes on his first date…
• BONUS CLIP:
What are your favorite Diff’rent Strokes moments with Coleman?
More Gary Coleman:
Friends and co-stars remember Gary Coleman
Gary Coleman dies at 42
i always loved when he mentioned ‘the gooch’. too bad we never met him. my father nicknamed one of the grandsons ‘gooch’. good times, good times….
great clips, rest in peace gary, especially since you didn’t seem to have much peace in this life.
and i’m sorry but i must mention, holy teeny shoulders nancy reagan!
That bike-shop owner episode gave me the creeps.
I still steer clear of vans with no windows.
And bicycles.
the one where kimberly and arnold are kidnapped. that was disturbing.
YES! The 80′s kidnapping specials ruined my life. My mom forced me to watch that Adam Walsh TV movie every time it was on. This is the only DS ep I truly remember.
The episode I’ve been thinking about all day (and can’t find any clips of) was when Arnold was mugged and pretended he was a tough guy during the incident, but then at the end of the episode he broke down and admitted how scared he was. When I was a kid, Gary’s performance really affected me. So that’s been sticking in my head (in addition to all of the great laughs, of course). RIP.
One of my faves was the episode where Arnold thought you could get pregnant by eating salmon. I remember him saying something like “mom must have eaten it twice”. RIP Gary. You were a huge part of my childhood that I will never forget.
i am glad he passed away. he lived a very rough life from the day he was born. the life long agony is over-RIP GC.
My favorite moment: Muhammad Ali visits the boys, and Arnold is sick. Ali, trying to cheer him up, says, “It’s me . . . the Champ.” To which Arnold replies, “Joe Louis?” Even as a kid I could appreciate the great humor of that exchange. Gary truly was a gifted performer. RIP.
looking back the molestation episode is even creepier now. the very inappropiate laugh track makes me feel uneasy.
I very sad to hear the bad news about Gary Coleman. I seen him in other movies. He was great actor he’ll sadly missed.
I won’t speak ill of the dead, but I will speak ill of this show. It SUCKED. It was TV for brain-dead people.
I was shocked to hear that Mr. Coleman had died. 42 is too young to go in my opinion. My condolences go out to his family. RIP Gary.
Gary Coleman was so funny I actually overlooked the fact that he was a colored guy.
yo creci con la comedia de Diff’rent Strokes.gozando con las locuras de Gary,y lo mucho que me hacian reir.Tu siempre seras un ganador aqui y donde quiera que tu estes.Siempre te vamos aquerer y te recordaremos siempre. R.I.P
such a sad loss a funny and a great guy gary was so ill and no one was there to save him when he fell or he would be here now rip gary you will be well missed xxxx
i will always rember his what you talking about willis tough little person