Gary

I've got mixed feelings about this documentary. Partly because it's stated multiple times throughout that he wanted peace and to leave celebrity behind. But, the true point of it was to show just how talented he was and that he was so much more than his infamous character Arnold. He was let down by so many people, including the public, who refused to see him any other way.

This documentary highlights his health condition, his talent, his relationships, and the people who either truly or possibly loved him. That's for each one of us watching to decide. I'm leaving it with the point of the documentary. He was so very talented and it was so unfortunate that he never had the opportunity to show us his full range.

A 2024 doc about the short, successful but ultimately life of one Gary Coleman. Being probably one of the most recognizable & successful young actors of his generation when he got his role on Diff'rent Strokes (a groundbreaking sitcom which posited a white rich man who adopts 2 black kids) where his catchphrase 'whatcha talking about...?' became a pop culture trigger but after his own health issues (his kidney transplant at a young age pretty much stunted his growth & kept him perennially diminutive), the sheen of his role soon wore on him. Another personal issue would come about when his parents annexed Coleman's monies for failed ventures which prompted him to sue them partnered w/his questionable nuptials w/a much younger & to be honest immature woman leaving the last few years of life anything but pleasant. Using talking head interviews w/the people who knew him & copious clips of the man himself, you can't help but feel sympathy for this man who gave so much of himself to entertain others.

Back in 1978, when Gary Coleman was 10 years old, author Scott Peck published his book, "The Road Less Traveled." One of his famous quotes is, "Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it."

Gary Coleman had a difficult life and he had a hard time transcending it. He once questioned if he was "God's punching bag." He had an illness requiring him to have a kidney transplant when he was only five, and medication which gave him a puffy face and an adult shortness of only 4 feet 7 inches.

Even though I never met him I had a connection. Back when IMDb still had discussion threads Coleman and I ended up commenting on the same thread and we also directed comments to each other. Nice comments and I remember thinking how unusual it was to be trading messages with a famous actor.

Now, seeing this biographical sketch streaming on Peacock, I understand what was happening to Coleman during his 30s and beyond. No longer the childhood star he found it increasingly difficult to get acting roles. He had living expenses, he resorted to several things including working as a security guard, a job that landed him in court after punching someone who made a rude comment.

Coleman's difficulties were compounded by the people around him, even though by one count he was paid $18Million over his glory years several people skimmed money, including his parents, and as a struggling adult saw most of the money gone. With good financial management he should have been set for life.

Coleman was smart and articulate but in many ways also immature. He put too much trust in others and did not take enough interest in his own business until it was too late.

This program uses many old clips of Coleman himself, some on TV shows or movies, some as himself in interviews. Plus clips from interviews with his parents, agents, and friends. I found it interesting and a worthwhile viewing.

I just finished watching "Gary" on Peacock. In reviewing the documentary, I can honestly say he was surrounded by idiots his entire life. Starting with his parents, Being available, but not being fully integrated on what was going on from a financial and personal perspective in your child's life.

He made the money, all they had to do was make sure it was being allocated correctly. I'm not sure why they could not have picked up a book to read on entertainment business or even hire someone to teach them entertainment business. Or even hire people to run quarterly audits. There's no way $18 million should have just vanished. Second, the wife he married was a complete dimwit and soulless individual, she isn't even a real person. Thirdly, The realist person that was in Gary's life seem to have been Dion.

For an excellent behind the scenes view of what Gary was really like on the set of Diffrent Strokes I highly recommend reading Todd Bridges biography. Todd provides a lot of detail and context that was sorely missing from this documentary. The majority of people know Gary Coleman from DS. Yet much of his experiences on the show was glossed over in this documentary. The behavior of his parents on set was legendary. Particularly his father--although his Mother was very much a stage mother. It is a sad and familiar story. Why so much screen time was given to his ex-wife is bewildering as she didn't know him very long and she was clearly a just another leech in a long line of leeches--who sucked the money and life out of Coleman. Her 911 call was suspect IMO giving details in a calm voice while there is blood everywhere and your boyfriend is unresponsive? Strange.