GARY

US, 2024, 91 minutes, Colour

Directed by Robin Dashwood.

Gary Coleman was a television phenomenon when he was a child. He appeared in the number of television episodes but was famous for Diff’rent Strokes, 1979-1986. And he became identified with his character and key phrases from his character, Arnold Jackson.

However, Coleman had a checkered career in his late teens with the cancelling of Diff’rent strokes. There were issues with his managers, financial issues, relationship with his parents and their taking some of his earnings. There was a lack of opportunity for developing his career successfully. He had a good friend in his manager, Dion. And also the support of another friend, Anna. However, there were police incidents, violent outbursts, jails and fines .

There was also the issue of his marriage, to the young Shannon Price, tumult, courts, the divorce, but their staying together. And there was the issue of his death, physical collapse, blood. And the consequent rumours on social media, accusations against Shannon Price.

There was also the physical complication of his health, kidney transplant at age 5, diminutive growth, filled out cheeks and face, anomalous appearance and the consequences of the failure of his kidney, constant dialysis, his survival to the age of 42.

With this information, the makers of this documentary have approached quite a number of friends and associates of Gary Coleman who agreed to participate as talking heads. Which means that there is the chronological outline of his life, different perspectives provided by the range of characters interviewed. And, it is notable that some dislike between individuals is not flat-out but stated quite firmly.

Gary Coleman’s parents are interviewed after his death and there are video scenes and interviews from the time they acted as his managers. Some sympathy for them but they also did exploit their son. And, Shannon Price agreed to be interviewed to give her side of the story. But, several of the other interviewees are very critical of her, especially in Dion and Anna. Shannon Price was 19 when she married Gary Coleman, young and inexperienced, immature, perhaps capitalising on him and his reputation, urging him to take on jobs for finance, the divorce, her offhand comments that people do have violent confrontations with each other, but her descriptions of the death scene, and her behaviour, her reaction against the blood, not particularly empathetic, self-concerned, then at the hospital and turning off life support which was different from what Gary Coleman had indicated for himself. However, the filmmakers point out that there was police investigation and no indication of foul play.

There are interviews with the various agents over the years, in Hollywood, and in Utah when Gary, settled. There are also co-stars, especially Todd Bridges and many excerpts from Diff’rent Strokes.

Gary Coleman was very talented as can be seen in various clips, his timing, facial expression, smart responses even at a very early age. So, this portrait and investigation hold the attention. And it also raises issues of the life of child stars, the effect of their career, financial issues, relationships, health.