Gary Coleman’s 25-Year Battle Without Kidneys

If you’re familiar with Gary Coleman, it’s likely because of his unforgettable portrayal of the lovable orphan Arnold Jackson on the television show Diff’rent Strokes. Not many people know that Coleman, standing at 4’8″ his entire life, faced health challenges due to a kidney condition. The documentary titled Gary on Peacock sheds light on a little-known fact about the late actor – he lived without kidneys for almost 25 years.

According to lifelong friend Dion Mial in the documentary, the kidney transplanted into Coleman’s body at age 5 was eventually absorbed by his body. So, from December 1, 1985, until his passing in 2010, Gary Coleman survived without a functioning kidney in his body.

Gary Coleman on ‘Diff’rent Strokes’.

Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

The documentary Gary delves into Coleman’s journey from his modest beginnings in Zion, Illinois, to his rise to fame on Diff’rent Strokes even before reaching his teenage years. It also explores his tumultuous adult life, marked by challenging relationships, financial struggles, and the difficulties of sustaining his acting career.

Sue, Coleman’s mother, recalls that his health issues began at the early age of 2 when he developed a fever, leading to the discovery of a congenital kidney defect. Coleman was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a progressive kidney disease causing permanent internal scarring.

At 5 1/2 years old, Coleman received a kidney transplant that initially seemed successful. Sue remembers, “Two weeks after he had his surgery he was standing on his head,” highlighting Coleman’s resilience from a young age as echoed in his own words from past recordings.

Dion Mial in ‘Gary’.

Peacock/Raw TV Ltd

Following the transplant, Coleman’s growth was inhibited by the medication he had to take. The drugs caused physical changes, such as fullness in his face, which ironically contributed to his iconic appearance. Initially, doctors believed Coleman might need another kidney transplant around the age of 12.

However, at 17 in 1985, Coleman fell ill again as his body reabsorbed the transplanted kidney, leaving him kidney-less. This required him to undergo dialysis treatment multiple times a week for the rest of his life.

In the final years of Diff’rent Strokes, Coleman’s health declined, making it challenging for him to complete scenes. Unfortunately, not everyone on set was empathetic to his health struggles.

Joann Stafford Chaney, the show’s hairstylist, recalls a time when Coleman fell ill on set, and despite her concerns for his health, she faced backlash from the producers for suggesting a break until Coleman felt better.

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Todd Bridges, Coleman’s co-star, remembers instances where Coleman’s father, Willie, showed little compassion for his son’s health struggles, insisting that he continue working despite being unwell.

Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges on ‘Diff’rent Strokes’.

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Diff’rent Strokes came to an end in 1986, coinciding with Coleman’s deteriorating health. Despite his successful stint as a child actor earning a substantial amount per episode, Coleman faced health complications in 2009, leading to his unfortunate passing in 2010.

“He had a spirit about him,” Coleman’s mother fondly recalls, describing his determination and unwavering resilience throughout his life’s challenges.

Stream Gary now on Peacock for a deeper insight into Gary Coleman’s extraordinary life story.

FAQs
Q: What did the documentary "Gary" reveal about Gary Coleman’s health?
A: The documentary disclosed that Coleman lived without functioning kidneys for nearly 25 years before his passing.

Q: How did Gary Coleman’s health affect his acting career?
A: Coleman’s health struggles, including the loss of his transplanted kidney, made it challenging for him to continue working on the set of Diff’rent Strokes.

Q: What illness did Gary Coleman battle from a young age?
A: Coleman was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a kidney disease that caused irreversible damage and ultimately led to his need for a kidney transplant.

Q: How did Gary Coleman’s iconic appearance develop?
A: The medication Coleman took after his kidney transplant caused physical changes, such as fullness in his face, contributing to his recognizable appearance as an adult.

Credit: ew.com