"Different Strokes" was a popular television sitcom in the 70's and 80's. The show boasted an interracial family. Two black boys adopted into a middle class white family in the suburbs. Actors Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges and Dana Plato were the stars of the show and after the show stopped production after 8 seasons, the lives of these child stars took a turn for the worse.

Gary Coleman's famous punchline, "WHATCHOOO TALKIN' BOUT WILLIS???"

Gary Coleman, who suffered from kidney failure and thus stunted his growth into adulthood really had a rough time maturing into an adult. Coleman's problems were most likely surrounding his finances. His adoptive parents were in control of his money until he was 18 years old. By the end of the disputes and litigation surrounding the fortune he had earned during his run on "Different Strokes" the actor was left with $200,000. He went form the highest paid actor, earning about $100,000 per program to filing for bankruptcy in 1999. Coleman was also cited for domestic disputes with his wife, as well as she against him. Coleman could not catch a break and make a comeback in the entertainment industry. He passed away at the age of 42 when his wife decided to remove him from life support. 

Dana Plato pictured in the mugshot photo here played the sister in the show "Different Strokes." She began her acting career at age 9. Tried out for various movie rolls but didn't reach stardom until her role on the sitcom. She became a self confessed alcoholic in the 80's. After the shows run she worked as a dry cleaner and was very unhappy with her way of life. Plato then posed for Playboy to earn some extra money because her job just was not paying the bills. Soon after she began gambling and stealing. Was arrested for a hold up at a video store. She sought to make a comeback with her entertainment career but it was short-lived. She overdosed in 1999 on painkillers. 

Actor Todd Bridges pictured here in court 

Actor Todd Bridges admittedly battled cocaine addiction for several years concluding the show "Different Strokes." His first legal issues arose when he was charged with attempted murder of a drug dealer while on a drug binge. He pleaded not guilty. He was represented by high profile lawyer Johnny Cochran. Cochron successfully argued that Todd was an abused minor who had been driven to substance abuse by an exploitative entertainment industry and was now being unfairly framed for a crime that he did not commit. A witness later testified that Todd was not present at the time of the shooting and he was acquitted of all charges by a jury. 

Todd has been able to somewhat salvage his career through making guest appearances on other TV shows and writing memoirs on his life and experiences in the entertainment industry. 

An inherent issue I see with the stars of this TV show is lack of guidance and sound advice from those around them. Too much money, too much fame, and not enough guidance can led to a troubling end for two of these stars. Thank God Todd was able to turn his life around and not fall victim to the substance abuse he struggled with. Rest in peace to Gary Coleman and Dana Plato