Peacock is set to unveil a compelling new documentary, GARY, which will explore the tumultuous life and mysterious death of beloved child actor Gary Coleman. The 90-minute film promises an in-depth look at Coleman’s rise to fame, his struggles behind the scenes, and the tragic events leading to his untimely death.
Gary Coleman’s Rise and Fall
Gary Coleman captured hearts worldwide with his role as Arnold Jackson on the hit TV show Diff’rent Strokes, which aired from 1978 to 1986. His catchphrase, “What’choo talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” became iconic, cementing his place in television history. However, behind the bright lights of Hollywood, Coleman’s life was far from glamorous.
The documentary features exclusive interviews with people who knew Coleman best, including his former co-star Todd Bridges, ex-managers, estranged parents, and ex-wife Shannon Price. Bridges, reflecting on Coleman’s early career, remarks, “The kid was a true star.” Yet, as the film reveals, the pressures of fame and personal betrayals darkened his life off-camera.
Despite his success, Coleman faced numerous challenges. Financial mismanagement by those he trusted led to significant losses. In archival footage, Coleman admits, “If someone had told me that my life would have been like this early enough where I could have got out, I would have got out.” His manager, Dion Mial, recalls a heartbreaking conversation: “He said, ‘I just wanted to say goodbye. I cannot take this anymore,’ and we cried.”
Coleman’s health was another constant battle. Born with a lifelong kidney condition that stunted his growth, he endured multiple surgeries and lived without a single kidney from 1985 until his death in 2010. The film also delves into the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and his tumultuous relationship with Price. As Price states in the documentary, “People think that I did this. Because I’m the ex-wife, I’m the evil person, right?”
GARY will premiere on Peacock on August 29, offering a poignant look at the life of a man described as “the greatest child actor of all time” and a “big man in a little kid’s body.”