Gary

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.

Interviews with many of the people closest to Coleman, notably his ex-wife and his longtime former agent and manager, along with his closest and dearest friends, who state the case for why that first group was responsible for a life that Coleman him expressed as being full of misery.

The film is very well edited, especially given all the ground it covers and the huge differences among those interviewed about who's to blame for what. The film also shows a beautiful degree of compassion for all that Coleman went through in his life without covering up a few of the times when he exhibited questionable behavior.

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 grew up watching Gary Coleman since I was a baby. In particular, the sitcom Diff'rent Stroke was a family favourite. This documentary help shed light to the up and downs of this young man who could have still been alive to this day.

It is a cautionary tale in that he could have enjoyed the millions that he worked hard over the years yet as a minor (and I somewhat do not blame him for this), he had to entrust his money to a group of individuals who took advantage of him. It is even worse that he was Black.

His story is a cautionary tale never to entrust one's money to individuals who at the end will take advantage of you.

This examination on the late child actor Gary Coleman (1968-2010) offers a full view on the many controversies surrounding his life and career, and just a few glimpses about his work and talent. To the most devoted fans who expect to see a lot from his moments of glory, humor and the perks of fame, you won't be seeing much of those in "Gary". Peacock followed family and friends, colleagues, lawyers and agents, and no one outside of his inner circle to present the viewer's perspective in seeing a talented and charismatic child dominating the screen in the incredible "Diff'rent Strokes" and other smaller projects. But to the ones who follow rise and fall and controversies of an actor, this one offers a full view that doesn't disappoint and it generates curiosity in those who don't know much about Gary.

What dominates this special are the countless dramatic moments that followed Coleman, either dealing with parents and agents who micromanaged his career and finances to a critical point, where the actor was being literally robbed by nearly everyone around him. It's sad to say it, but it's the usual textbook that followed many child actors/artists through decades (rare these days, but still happens). But seeing the scope of things, what happened to an already frail kid with many health issues, and that "fate" of dealing with untrsuty people followed him even when he got married later on, it's tragic.

The presence of his parents, the wife and the agent who profitted of him can revolt the most sensitive viewer - I was in total disbelief seeing their "serious" act on screen. Gotta have a lot of nerve.

But it also follows his true loyal friends who helped him out whenever needed (Dion Mial, who later became his manager after a falling out with a previous agent, shares many amazing stories of genuine friendship. Lucky folks might have a buddy like him). Co-star Todd Bridges and a few others who worked on "Diff'rent Strokes" offer the good stories from behind the scenes of the show, and some serious ones concerning Coleman's dad bossing around on the set.

I can't offer a view of Gary Coleman as a fan since I know very little about him, in fact I only know him because of that show (called "Arnold" in here) which had a re-run a lot later but very popular to audiences. I didn't know about the whole issue concerning his death and the foul play suspicious on the ex-wife, and that really took me by surprise. But if comparing with other documentaries made about important personalities, I can understand the criticism and rejection some viewers will have with this project since it's too downer and focused on gossips or "he said/she said", and very little about his work and attempts to rebuild his career outside of the Arnold Jackson character. We have plenty of great clips of his TV and cinema work, but without the input from critics or artists who were inspired by Coleman, there's something missing to understand one of the greatest TV icons of the 1970's-1980's.

Yet I was thrilled with it. It was a quite emotional journey with many surprising facts, dramatic moments and some humored as well - I couldn't resist laughing at his loan/credit commercial where he was poking fun of his downer financial problems. And viewers can take a closer look at Coleman that goes beyond Arnold: the funny kid; the brave kid who loved his work and continued with it despite being sick; the young man who struggled a lot, almost gave up of everything when things weren't going his way, made some mistakes but kept going facing the obstacles. It's mostly a downer, but there are inspiring moments that can make you look at things in a positive way, and just be critical of this fame thing and how it ruins bright talents who aren't sheltered with a great support network. As Mial says, this was a cautionary tale. 9/10.