User reviews

I just finished watching "Gary" on Peacock. In reviewing the documentary, I can honestly say he was surrounded by idiots his entire life. Starting with his parents, Being available, but not being fully integrated on what was going on from a financial and personal perspective in your child's life.

He made the money, all they had to do was make sure it was being allocated correctly. I'm not sure why they could not have picked up a book to read on entertainment business or even hire someone to teach them entertainment business. Or even hire people to run quarterly audits. There's no way $18 million should have just vanished. Second, the wife he married was a complete dimwit and soulless individual, she isn't even a real person. Thirdly, The realist person that was in Gary's life seem to have been Dion.

A 2024 doc about the short, successful but ultimately life of one Gary Coleman. Being probably one of the most recognizable & successful young actors of his generation when he got his role on Diff'rent Strokes (a groundbreaking sitcom which posited a white rich man who adopts 2 black kids) where his catchphrase 'whatcha talking about...?' became a pop culture trigger but after his own health issues (his kidney transplant at a young age pretty much stunted his growth & kept him perennially diminutive), the sheen of his role soon wore on him. Another personal issue would come about when his parents annexed Coleman's monies for failed ventures which prompted him to sue them partnered w/his questionable nuptials w/a much younger & to be honest immature woman leaving the last few years of life anything but pleasant. Using talking head interviews w/the people who knew him & copious clips of the man himself, you can't help but feel sympathy for this man who gave so much of himself to entertain others.

Back in 1978, when Gary Coleman was 10 years old, author Scott Peck published his book, "The Road Less Traveled." One of his famous quotes is, "Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it."

Gary Coleman had a difficult life and he had a hard time transcending it. He once questioned if he was "God's punching bag." He had an illness requiring him to have a kidney transplant when he was only five, and medication which gave him a puffy face and an adult shortness of only 4 feet 7 inches.

Even though I never met him I had a connection. Back when IMDb still had discussion threads Coleman and I ended up commenting on the same thread and we also directed comments to each other. Nice comments and I remember thinking how unusual it was to be trading messages with a famous actor.

Now, seeing this biographical sketch streaming on Peacock, I understand what was happening to Coleman during his 30s and beyond. No longer the childhood star he found it increasingly difficult to get acting roles. He had living expenses, he resorted to several things including working as a security guard, a job that landed him in court after punching someone who made a rude comment.

Coleman's difficulties were compounded by the people around him, even though by one count he was paid $18Million over his glory years several people skimmed money, including his parents, and as a struggling adult saw most of the money gone. With good financial management he should have been set for life.

Coleman was smart and articulate but in many ways also immature. He put too much trust in others and did not take enough interest in his own business until it was too late.

This program uses many old clips of Coleman himself, some on TV shows or movies, some as himself in interviews. Plus clips from interviews with his parents, agents, and friends. I found it interesting and a worthwhile viewing.

I've read about Gary Coleman throughout the years, but never had much interest in him, and never watched his TV show. Thus, I did not know if I would watch this entire documentary. I ended up having no problem watching it until the end. The doc moved along nicely and wasn't repetitious. It does offer some good insight into his life, but not enough to make it more than a sympathetic look, lacking in critical observations.

For example, why did Gary Coleman choose to marry the woman he married and still live with her after they divorced? She was a not-too-bright user who hit him, just as he hit her. With his fame and medical condition, he could have easily found a kind, nurturing woman, such as a nurse, to marry; who would have dedicated her life to supporting and taking care of him. Did he want to keep feeling like a victim, and replay over and over again the way he felt others used him?

His parents were interviewed and they weren't portrayed as the demons some think they were. His first agent was interviewed and he also did not come across badly. His best friend was constantly interviewed, and there seemed nothing nefarious about their friendship, even though his father had his suspicions. The only one who came across badly was his ex-wife, but I somewhat doubt she was responsible for his death. The two of them were a trainwreck waiting to happen, and you don't need a person to cause a trainwreck.

This examination on the late child actor Gary Coleman (1968-2010) offers a full view on the many controversies surrounding his life and career, and just a few glimpses about his work and talent. To the most devoted fans who expect to see a lot from his moments of glory, humor and the perks of fame, you won't be seeing much of those in "Gary". Peacock followed family and friends, colleagues, lawyers and agents, and no one outside of his inner circle to present the viewer's perspective in seeing a talented and charismatic child dominating the screen in the incredible "Diff'rent Strokes" and other smaller projects. But to the ones who follow rise and fall and controversies of an actor, this one offers a full view that doesn't disappoint and it generates curiosity in those who don't know much about Gary.

What dominates this special are the countless dramatic moments that followed Coleman, either dealing with parents and agents who micromanaged his career and finances to a critical point, where the actor was being literally robbed by nearly everyone around him. It's sad to say it, but it's the usual textbook that followed many child actors/artists through decades (rare these days, but still happens). But seeing the scope of things, what happened to an already frail kid with many health issues, and that "fate" of dealing with untrsuty people followed him even when he got married later on, it's tragic.

The presence of his parents, the wife and the agent who profitted of him can revolt the most sensitive viewer - I was in total disbelief seeing their "serious" act on screen. Gotta have a lot of nerve.

But it also follows his true loyal friends who helped him out whenever needed (Dion Mial, who later became his manager after a falling out with a previous agent, shares many amazing stories of genuine friendship. Lucky folks might have a buddy like him). Co-star Todd Bridges and a few others who worked on "Diff'rent Strokes" offer the good stories from behind the scenes of the show, and some serious ones concerning Coleman's dad bossing around on the set.

I can't offer a view of Gary Coleman as a fan since I know very little about him, in fact I only know him because of that show (called "Arnold" in here) which had a re-run a lot later but very popular to audiences. I didn't know about the whole issue concerning his death and the foul play suspicious on the ex-wife, and that really took me by surprise. But if comparing with other documentaries made about important personalities, I can understand the criticism and rejection some viewers will have with this project since it's too downer and focused on gossips or "he said/she said", and very little about his work and attempts to rebuild his career outside of the Arnold Jackson character. We have plenty of great clips of his TV and cinema work, but without the input from critics or artists who were inspired by Coleman, there's something missing to understand one of the greatest TV icons of the 1970's-1980's.

Yet I was thrilled with it. It was a quite emotional journey with many surprising facts, dramatic moments and some humored as well - I couldn't resist laughing at his loan/credit commercial where he was poking fun of his downer financial problems. And viewers can take a closer look at Coleman that goes beyond Arnold: the funny kid; the brave kid who loved his work and continued with it despite being sick; the young man who struggled a lot, almost gave up of everything when things weren't going his way, made some mistakes but kept going facing the obstacles. It's mostly a downer, but there are inspiring moments that can make you look at things in a positive way, and just be critical of this fame thing and how it ruins bright talents who aren't sheltered with a great support network. As Mial says, this was a cautionary tale. 9/10.

For an excellent behind the scenes view of what Gary was really like on the set of Diffrent Strokes I highly recommend reading Todd Bridges biography. Todd provides a lot of detail and context that was sorely missing from this documentary. The majority of people know Gary Coleman from DS. Yet much of his experiences on the show was glossed over in this documentary. The behavior of his parents on set was legendary. Particularly his father--although his Mother was very much a stage mother. It is a sad and familiar story. Why so much screen time was given to his ex-wife is bewildering as she didn't know him very long and she was clearly a just another leech in a long line of leeches--who sucked the money and life out of Coleman. Her 911 call was suspect IMO giving details in a calm voice while there is blood everywhere and your boyfriend is unresponsive? Strange.

Interviews with many of the people closest to Coleman, notably his ex-wife and his longtime former agent and manager, along with his closest and dearest friends, who state the case for why that first group was responsible for a life that Coleman him expressed as being full of misery.

The film is very well edited, especially given all the ground it covers and the huge differences among those interviewed about who's to blame for what. The film also shows a beautiful degree of compassion for all that Coleman went through in his life without covering up a few of the times when he exhibited questionable behavior.

There's something very uncomfortable about this documentary on the turbulent life of the precocious talent that was Gary Coleman. For a generation he was loved wherever his flagship show "Different Strokes" was shown, and broke down various barriers without even needing to try but just be himself.

The reality was that behind the curtains, it was all another story and this documentary is meant to be trying to reveal the reality. However, as Gary Coleman has passed away, we are left to rely on a series of contributors whom we are wholly left mostly unconvinced by their sincerity or honesty in their recalling of the young man.

It makes the entire documentary difficult watch, as we know that he was a maturing male stuck in the body of young boy.

Like many others, I was charmed by Gary Coleman in his heyday and loved his exuberance & humour. Sad to see how life transpired for him and certain of his peers.

This documentary probably on what they had on hand, should have been buried. If it's meant to reveal the truth, I'm not sure any judge would be able to give a final judgement on what was presented.

Give this a miss I think, and really maybe now let's leave Gary Coleman to rest in peace.