Gary Coleman, former child star of "Diff'rent Strokes", was taken off life support today and died. The actor, 42, suffered a brain hemorrhage on Wednesday. Coleman's wife, Shannon, reportedly decided to take him off life support after he slipped into a coma. The actor also suffered from a congenital kidney disease, which was responsible for stunting his growth.
Coleman became famous as the adopted son Arnold Jackson of a wealthy New Yorker in the hit sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes," in the 1970's and '80's. His famous line, "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?" became a pop culture catchphrase. I recently found myself having to explain the phrase to my young children after using several times.
Life support decisions are always difficult, particularly when the patient is as younger and the illness sudden. My heart goes out to his wife, family, and loved ones in their time of grief.
Making Difficult Health Care Decisions: Goals of Care
How sad that he died so young. He made a lot of people laugh and smile.