Gary Coleman struggled after early stardom

For a while, it seemed as if Gary Coleman's cherubic face was everywhere, from TV to T-shirts to lunchboxes. The diminutive actor, who died Friday at age 42, was best known for his role as Arnold on '70s-'80s sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes." Coleman's pudgy cheeks and flawless comic timing made him the breakout star of
the popular series. His signature line -- "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?" -- became a national catchphrase.
Coleman was hospitalized Wednesday after injuring his head in a fall at his home south of Salt Lake City. The fall resulted in a brain hemorrhage, but Coleman's family said he was conscious and lucid until midday Thursday. He then slipped into unconsciousness and was placed on life support, which was terminated Friday afternoon.
Coleman, who was born with a kidney disease that resulted in his small stature, saw his early success on "Diff'rent Strokes" diminished in later life by domestic and legal troubles.
In 1989, he successfully sued his parents and former advisers for misappropriation of his trust fund, which had dwindled. He was awarded $1.3 million. In 1999, he filed for bankruptcy, blaming his troubles on financial mismanagement.
In 1998, while working as a security guard, he was charged with assault for hitting a woman who had been seeking an autograph, and in 2007, he was cited for disorderly conduct after arguing with his wife, Shannon Price. Last year, the two were involved in a domestic dispute that resulted in Price's arrest. In January, Coleman was arrested for failure to appear in court for an unspecified earlier charge.
His troubles made him the butt of jokes and he even inspired a character by the same name in the Broadway musical "Avenue Q."
Through it all, Coleman maintained his perspective and sense of humor. "I parody myself every chance I get," he said. "I try to make fun of myself and let people know that I'm a human being. ... I'm not just some cartoon who exists and suddenly doesn't exist."