A Final Thought On The Passing Of Gary Coleman

No one knows the formula for making the smooth transition from child star to adulthood; perhaps, we should inquire of the few who have made the transition and bottle their formula and sell it. Mr. Coleman, to his credit, didn’t have the substance abuse problems like so many who resort to that particular form of destructive behavior – but he seemed especially bitter toward the industry that made him famous.

This was understandable because of his chronic health problems; the betrayal of his adopted parents; and the fact that there weren’t many roles for a petite black former child star.

It must be brutal to be loved for so many years and to wake up one day realizing that the public has moved on to the other cute kid. I do not know what to say in such a situation to these child stars, but that those around them should prepare them for such an eventuality… when all the trappings and attributes of Hollywood fame are gone.

Mr. Coleman seemed to have accepted that too due to the fact he moved far away to Utah. It must be noted that the only son of Dana Plato, as recently as two weeks ago, committed suicide - Dana Plato, who committed suicide years ago, played Gary Coleman’s sister in the series Different Strokes.  As for the sole surviving child star from “Different Strokes,” Todd Bridges, I bid you a peaceful longevity.