Gary

2024

Biography / Documentary

11
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 90% · 10 reviews
IMDb Rating 6.6/10 10 595 595

child star diff'rent strokes gary coleman

Plot summary

Follow the extraordinary story of Gary Coleman's rise to international fame as the child star of Diff'rent Strokes; his struggles with fame; and the controversy surrounding his tragic death at the age of 42. For the first time, viewers will get insight into Coleman's private world through exclusive interviews with his fellow actors, industry insiders and his estranged ex-wife and parents.

Director

Robin Dashwood Photo
Robin Dashwood

Top cast

Will Smith Photo
Will Smith as Self - Actor
Nancy Reagan Photo
Nancy Reagan as Self - First Lady of the United States
Niecy Nash Photo
Niecy Nash as Self
Jason Hervey Photo
Jason Hervey as Self
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 2160p.WEB
847.68 MB
1280*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us   es  
29.97 fps
1 hr 31 min
Seeds 8
1.7 GB
1920*1080
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us   es  
29.97 fps
1 hr 31 min
Seeds 1
4.1 GB
3840*2160
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
N/A
Seeds 2

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by TxMike

Did Gary Coleman think he was 'God's punching bag?'

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.
Reviewed by chris_rowe-881-168820 8 / 10

Informative yet infuriating

When after 10 minutes you realise the "shock main guest" is potentially someone who ended the man's life, I feel entertainment hits really murky waters. The woman does herself no favours, she's so cold, she remembers the practiced words to look loving but she's about as uncaring as satan.The story itself is interesting, I know a lot about the different strokes years and all the troubles for all 3 kids, like his ex wife I felt Howard Sterns show and callers were the last straw for poor Dana Plato who was manipulated for her looks and lived an awful drug riddled existence till age 34. Willis although looking well and caring, had some dark times,But Gary had a life of misery really, from pain and poor health, to a helping drug literally killing your growth and puffing your cheeks out, it sounds like a marvel film making the hero, it gave him an iconic run on two shows, which haunted his existence and to which he got no money from.Gary desperately looked everywhere for love and was obviously intense, none of the relationships seemed organic or healthy, only a few friends seemed what you'd expect, the blockbuster employee and his manager were the only two who cared.He was wired differently and wasn't into the physical but due to his rotten parents stealing all his money and acting stupid, he had scars ontop of scars. The parents knew, the dad taking about demons, guy seemed insane, the lies were easily see through, amazed they got away with it all, I know the later case but don't think it helped.From then in it's just the cold dead eyed wife, no one heart no compassion and no one to advise her how bad she looks doing this. That 911 call summed it up, poor guy died from hate, when all he wanted was love.Best kid actor ever Iconic show Tragic end.
Reviewed by sundayatdusk-97859 6 / 10

Stuck In Height & A Hit TV Show . . . .

I've read about Gary Coleman throughout the years, but never had much interest in him, and never watched his TV show. Thus, I did not know if I would watch this entire documentary. I ended up having no problem watching it until the end. The doc moved along nicely and wasn't repetitious. It does offer some good insight into his life, but not enough to make it more than a sympathetic look, lacking in critical observations.For example, why did Gary Coleman choose to marry the woman he married and still live with her after they divorced? She was a not-too-bright user who hit him, just as he hit her. With his fame and medical condition, he could have easily found a kind, nurturing woman, such as a nurse, to marry; who would have dedicated her life to supporting and taking care of him. Did he want to keep feeling like a victim, and replay over and over again the way he felt others used him?His parents were interviewed and they weren't portrayed as the demons some think they were. His first agent was interviewed and he also did not come across badly. His best friend was constantly interviewed, and there seemed nothing nefarious about their friendship, even though his father had his suspicions. The only one who came across badly was his ex-wife, but I somewhat doubt she was responsible for his death. The two of them were a trainwreck waiting to happen, and you don't need a person to cause a trainwreck.
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