"Diff'rent Strokes" star Todd Bridges believes co-star Gary Coleman's tragic end could have been prevented had he not been exploited as a child star.
In the wake of a new documentary detailing the life and struggles of late actor Gary Coleman, his "Diff'rent Strokes" co-star Todd Bridges has spoken out, expressing his belief that Coleman's father forced him to continue working despite his illness.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Bridges alleged, "That's what happens when people get greedy. They tend to just take money ... and steal things. We all lost some money to some people."
Todd Bridges: Gary Coleman's Father Forced Him to Work While Sick
Coleman, who passed away in 2010 at age 42, shot to fame in the 1970s sitcom as Arnold Jackson, a role that brought him immense popularity but also left him with lasting health issues. The documentary "Gary," which premieres on Peacock on Aug. 29, delves into Coleman's rise to stardom and the challenges he faced living in the spotlight.
Bridges, now 59, recalls meeting Coleman as a young child. "I thought he was a really smart kid," he said. "He grew up around adults, so it was a lot different for him."
Todd Bridges: Gary Coleman's Father Forced Him to Work While Sick
Despite their playful moments together, Bridges witnessed the pressures that Coleman faced as a child actor. "In the documentary, I was not happy [to see] that Coleman was forced by his father to keep working as he was sick," Bridges said. "He should've had the opportunity to be able to rest when the season was done. Those seasons are not like the seasons today."
Coleman's short stature, a result of a serious health condition, added to his child-like charm but also contributed to his health problems. He underwent multiple kidney transplants throughout his life and continued to face medical challenges as an adult.
Todd Bridges: Gary Coleman's Father Forced Him to Work While Sick
Bridges believes that Coleman's father should have prioritized his son's health over financial gain. "Today you do eight shows and that's it. ... It wasn't like that for us," Bridges said. "He did it for nine months straight. So, he would go off and start doing movies and stuff, even though he was sick. ... Parents shouldn't do that."
Coleman's father, Willie Coleman, has denied the allegations made in the documentary. However, in 1989, Coleman sued his parents and former manager, accusing them of misappropriating his trust fund. His mother, Sue Coleman, also attempted to control her son's fortune, claiming he was incapable of handling his affairs.
Todd Bridges: Gary Coleman's Father Forced Him to Work While Sick
Coleman's financial and legal woes continued throughout his adult life. He filed for bankruptcy in 1999 and worked as a security guard at one point.
Sadly, Coleman was not the only "Diff'rent Strokes" star to face adversity. Bridges struggled with addiction following the show's cancellation, while Dana Plato, who played the boys' older sister, died of a drug overdose in 1999.
Todd Bridges: Gary Coleman's Father Forced Him to Work While Sick
Reflecting on his own struggles, Bridges said, "I was 24, 25 [when] I realized that I needed help. I remember Gary in the beginning didn't want to talk to me when I was getting in trouble, having my situations. And then when he started getting in trouble, I called and talked to him. He's like, 'Why do you want to talk to me?' I remember saying to Gary, 'Because I'm your brother, man. It happens. It's OK. You'll get out of it.'"
Bridges emphasizes that not all child actors face challenges. "For every child actor you see going wrong, I can name you 10 that haven't," he said. "We need to watch out for predators. They're there and they're waiting."
Todd Bridges: Gary Coleman's Father Forced Him to Work While Sick
