Gary Coleman, Star of Diff’rent Strokes and Character in Avenue Q, Dies at 42

Gary Coleman, the child star of the 1970s TV sitcom Diff’rent Strokes, has died after suffering an intercranial hemorrhage, according to published reports. He was 42.

Subsequent to his work on the television show, which had six seasons on NBC and two on ABC, Coleman’s popularity slid while his visibility increased due to his legal and financial problems. His plight in adulthood has been immortalized in the musical Avenue Q, in which “Gary Coleman:” is working as a superintendent of the rundown buildings inhabited by the show’s characters.

A statement from Avenue Q was issued on May 28 following Coleman’s passing:: “The creators, producers, and company of Avenue Q are terribly saddened to hear of the death of Gary Coleman, whose tremendous gifts brought delight and inspiration to audiences around the world. While everything in life may be only for now, we suspect that Gary’s legacy will live on for many years to come. Gary’s memory will certainly endure in the hearts and minds of those of us who live on Avenue Q. When the show concludes tonight at 10pm at New World Stages, Danielle K. Thomas, who portrays Mr. Coleman in the musical, will pay a tribute to him from the stage.”