'Diff'rent Strokes': Where Are They Now?

Diff'rent Strokes': Where Are They Now?

"Whatchoo talkin' 'bout?" 'Diff'rent Strokes' first aired 30 years ago on Nov. 3, 1978, on NBC, and ended 189 episodes later on Aug. 30, 1986, on ABC. This prime-time comedy about a wealthy white widower who adopts his Harlem housekeeper's two black sons broke boundaries with its racially mixed cast. It made international stars of its players -- especially pint-sized cutie Gary Coleman -- and spawned a successful spin-off, 'The Facts of Life' (crossover series 'Hello, Larry' was not so lucky).

Eventually the show became a forum for "issues" and was known for its very special episodes about child abuse, bulimia, drugs and other hot topics. First Lady Nancy Reagan launched her "Just Say No" campaign on an episode in 1983. Apparently, the young cast wasn't listening. Several of the show's hottest stars suffered through drug abuse and emotional issues after the show's run. Read on to find out what we're talkin' about. -- By Ed Tahaney



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Conrad Bain
Philip Drummond

Then: He was 55 when he started the series and was coming off a successful run on Norman Lear's 'Maude.' Bain moved into television after working on Broadway for decades. He also had a few small roles in Clint Eastwood's 'Coogan's Bluff' and Woody Allen's 'Bananas' before playing a rich, doting dad and a straight man to a handful of kooky kids.



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Conrad Bain
Philip Drummond

Now: Bain is now 84 and living in retirement in Southern California. His most recent movie performance was as a grandpa in Carrie Fisher's autobiographical 'Postcards From the Edge.' One of his last TV appearances was in 1996 on the series finale of 'The Fresh Price of Bel-Air' where he reprised his role as Phillip Drummond in a cameo with Coleman and Todd Bridges.



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Gary Coleman
Arnold Jackson

Then: An adoptee himself, the 4'8" actor was 10 years old playing 8 when he became an international sensation popular for his camera mugging and catch phrase. (You know you said it at least once.) A kidney defect stunted Coleman's growth but that didn't stop his parents/managers (who he later sued over the misappropriation of his trust fund) and the show's producers from exploiting his condition for years. While on the show he worked up to 15 hour days as a minor and was purportedly thrilled when the show finally got canceled.



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Gary Coleman
Arnold Jackson

Now: A history of bizarre tabloid tales has plagued the tiny thespian, now 40 and living near Payson, Utah. He's worked primarily as a security guard but also ran for governor in California's 2003 recall election. He lost, finishing slightly ahead of goofy comedian Gallagher. It's best not to approach the cantankerous Coleman if you see him in public. He punched a fan in the head when she got too close while trying to get his autograph. And he recently pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge for attacking a man outside a bowling alley with his truck. The alleged fan was snapping cell phone photos of the actor and his wife, Shannon Price, 22, when he himself, uh, snapped.



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Todd Bridges
Willis Jackson

Now: Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis? His work on Abe Vigoda's 'Barney Miller' spin-off series 'Fish' got him the older brother role without an audition. Prior to joining the cast, Bridges was a recurring regular on shows like 'The Waltons' and 'Little House on the Prairie.' He even played Chicken George's grandson in the 'Roots' miniseries the year before 'Strokes.'



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Todd Bridges
Willis Jackson

Now: Typecast and out of work after the show ended, Bridges, now 43, turned to drugs and went on a career bender for the next decade. He was arrested for allegedly ramming his car into another vehicle and has served jail time on a weapons charge. He finally kicked his bad habits; he also kicked Vanilla Ice's butt in a celebrity boxing match on Fox but lost recently in a wrestling match with Dennis Rodman. The '07 rumors of his death were greatly exaggerated; he's had a recurring role on 'Everybody Hates Chris,' and both he and Coleman have been on 'The Surreal Life' and have helped their friends just say "no, thank you" on A&E's 'The Two Coreys.'



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Dana Plato
Kimberly Drummond

Then: Like Coleman, she was also adopted as a child. The cute and preppy actress was barely a teen when she got her big break. Plato was fired at the end of the 1983-'84 season after she got pregnant. Surprisingly, the producers refused to incorporate her real life into "a very special storyline." Her character conveniently graduated and went away to study in Paris. She married her boyfriend Lanny Lambert, got divorced shortly after and eventually returned for guest appearances after her son, Tyler, was born.



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Dana Plato
Kimberly Drummond

Now: Like her TV siblings, Plato had trouble finding work after the show was canceled. Paying gigs included a 1989 spread in Playboy magazine and roles in soft porn. She was arrested for attempted robbery in Las Vegas in 1991 and again the following year for forging a Valium prescription. Sadly, in 1999, a day after doing an interview with Howard Stern, she died in Moore, Okla., in what appeared to be an accidental overdose. It was later ruled a suicide. Plato was 34.



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Mary Jo Catlett
Pearl Gallagher

Then: Good help is hard to find, and the Drummond household went through housekeepers like water. Pearl was number four. The cheery veteran character actor and comedienne was a star of stage, film and TV before joining the cast with roles on everything from 'The Bob Newhart Show' and 'Welcome Back, Kotter' to name a few.



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