We all know Gary Coleman as the quick wit childhood star of “Different Strokes,” the 1980’s family sit-com. Coleman has also appeared on several other sitcoms of the 80’s including The Jefferson’s and The Facts of Life, The Gary Coleman Show and several movies. As a child star, Coleman was a hit and America loved him.
As with child stars, Coleman aged and America’s love for the majority of childhood stars is short lived. To make matters worst, Coleman’s adoptive parents spent every dime Coleman had leaving him practically bankrupt. Now Gary Coleman is widely known as the ex-childhood star with a past drug problem, a hot temper (when people ask for his autograph), a failed marriage and as a 40-year-old virgin; just to name a few of his woes. Coleman has been in and out of court over the past decade with his latest being on Tuesday, December 2nd when he pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct in a Salt Lake City courtroom.
Now here’s my two cents: Every African-American Generation X child remembers Coleman as a child star. As a matter of fact, he was the only African-American child star on TV and the movies during the late 1970’s early 1980’s. There was no other black kids on the big screen like Coleman yet his past job history includes a security guard and what I call a few “side show” TV appearance here and there.
With all the enterprises and corporations now being run by Generation X African-Americans, why can’t somebody give Gary Coleman a job? Instead, he’s been reduced to an ex-childhood sideshow actor. Some of his problems were his fault while others were of no fault of his own. Now that America has chewed him up and spit him out, can a rap mogul or producer give him some type of job just out of respect for his unsung contributions to today’s African-American TV success?
Or maybe its just me. I think since other actors/actresses who are addicts and criminals in the industry get a helping hand. I thought we could do the same.
As with child stars, Coleman aged and America’s love for the majority of childhood stars is short lived. To make matters worst, Coleman’s adoptive parents spent every dime Coleman had leaving him practically bankrupt. Now Gary Coleman is widely known as the ex-childhood star with a past drug problem, a hot temper (when people ask for his autograph), a failed marriage and as a 40-year-old virgin; just to name a few of his woes. Coleman has been in and out of court over the past decade with his latest being on Tuesday, December 2nd when he pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct in a Salt Lake City courtroom.
Now here’s my two cents: Every African-American Generation X child remembers Coleman as a child star. As a matter of fact, he was the only African-American child star on TV and the movies during the late 1970’s early 1980’s. There was no other black kids on the big screen like Coleman yet his past job history includes a security guard and what I call a few “side show” TV appearance here and there.
With all the enterprises and corporations now being run by Generation X African-Americans, why can’t somebody give Gary Coleman a job? Instead, he’s been reduced to an ex-childhood sideshow actor. Some of his problems were his fault while others were of no fault of his own. Now that America has chewed him up and spit him out, can a rap mogul or producer give him some type of job just out of respect for his unsung contributions to today’s African-American TV success?
Or maybe its just me. I think since other actors/actresses who are addicts and criminals in the industry get a helping hand. I thought we could do the same.
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