Director Recalls Working with 'Spunky' Gary Coleman

By Amber James Posted May 28th 2010 05:12PM

Artie Glackin, who worked as a first assistant director on an independent feature film with that starred Gary Coleman, reached out to PopEater to discuss how the actor's untimely death has been "shocking" and "unreal" -- even in Hollywood, a notoriously tough town.

When news first broke of Coleman's hospitalization, Glackin wrote on PopEater's Facebook wall, "I had the opportunity to work with Gary Coleman. We got the chance to get to know each other. He is very professional on set and a great guy off set. He never complained and was full of great ideas. My love and prayers go out to Gary, his wife and those close to him."

Glackin spoke candidly with PopEater about his friendship with Coleman and what the 'Diff'rent Strokes' actor was like on and off set. >>

Glackin worked with the actor in 2007 on the set of 'A Christmas Too Many,' and the two quickly hit it off. "He was a pro through and through and full of spunk," he recalls, adding Coleman was always on time and didn't cause any problems for the cast.

While filming, Coleman had to leave early two days a week to undergo dialysis. "I really felt for him. He was going through a lot, and we worked with him to make sure his health was a priority," he recalls.

Coleman had battled various health issues and received two kidney transplants -- one in 1973 and one in 1984 --- to help curb the kidney disease nephritis, which he had battled for decades. The disease was responsible for stunting his growth.

Glackin says the actor was perceived inaccurately in the media. "He was to the point and told it like it was, which is difficult to find in a town full of people who are afraid to speak their minds," he said of the actor's personality. "Some people thought he was being rude or intolerant. He just knew what he wanted. He was really misunderstood," he adds.

Glackin had hoped to meet up with Coleman to talk about new films, but that never came to fruition. "After we worked together, I continued to mention him for other projects," he admits. "He was talented and deserved to work."

Even though he had lost touch with Coleman, he still had very fond memories of the actor. "Some relationships in Hollywood are fleeting and you only bond while on set," he added.

Reflecting on his time with Coleman, the first assistant director sympathizes, knowing Coleman's passing will greatly affect Hollywood and his fans. "He hasn't always had the easiest life, but he always rose to the occasion. He was much more appreciated than he thought he was."

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Remembering Gary Coleman

SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 08: Actor Gary Coleman arrives at the 6th annual "TV Land Awards" held at Barker Hangar on June 8, 2008 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/WireImage)

Jesse Grant, WireImage

Remembering Gary Coleman

SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 08: Actor Gary Coleman arrives at the 6th annual "TV Land Awards" held at Barker Hangar on June 8, 2008 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/WireImage)

Remembering Gary Coleman

Coleman was hospitalized on May 26 after injuring his head in a fall at his Utah home. It was later reported that he was in critical condition and in a coma after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage.

Remembering Gary Coleman

Coleman shot to stardom thanks to his role on the sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes,' where he played Arnold Drummond. He made a name for himself with snappy comebacks and the infamous line: 'What you talkin' about?' The show lasted from 1978-1986.

Remembering Gary Coleman

Coleman is seen here posing with Mr. T in a promo photo for the 1983 season premiere of 'Diff'rent Strokes.'

Remembering Gary Coleman

In the summer of 2007, Coleman secretly married 22-year-old Shannon Price, who he met on the set of a movie he was filming. The couple kept their nuptials under wraps for months, announcing in February 2008 that they had tied the knot.

Remembering Gary Coleman

Throughout his life, Coleman had suffered health problems. He received two kidney transplants in the '70s and '80s, and in recent years, he suffered two seizures before his recent fall.

Remembering Gary Coleman

The wedded bliss didn't last long for Coleman and Price. Coleman is seen here in a January 24, 2010 booking photo after he was arrested on a warrant related to domestic violence charges. He later pled guilty to a lesser charge.

Remembering Gary Coleman

Tags: Gary Coleman

Comments

(23)

Friday 28 May

By shirleyA

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RIP Gary. The media was not nice to Gary, they seemed to
taunt him, especially on The Insider. I don't watch the
so called intertainment shows any more, their nothing more
the gossip shows. If they don't like a celebrity the trash
them.

By A.G. White

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Rest In Peace, Gary. You will be missed. :(

By lindagale

too young to have to die! way too young.... sad

By bernard

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Love you man,May you be at peace now.

By maria

rest in peace may my prayer go out to his family

By jim

He was a nice person.

By Joe bay ridge bklyn

GRAY YOU WILL BE MISS YOU WAS VERY FUNNY IN DIFFRENT STROKES YOU MADE THE SHOW WHAT IT WAS WHICH WAS THE LITTLE GUY U WILL BE MISS WITH THAT BIG SMILE YOU HAD R.I.P

By Pat

No more suffering, no more pain. Rest In Peace dear Gary.

By kharingfan

I hope you had moments of pleasure and happiness while you roamed the Earth. Enjoy the after life. RIP.

Sunday 10 October

By cheryl

Gary Coleman was the best when he playing Arnold from Different stokes I Remember not being able to wait to get home from school just to watch Different stokes that was one of my top favorite shows growing up in fact I think that they should still run
different stokes in honor of Gary Coleman rest in pace and i'm sorry to hear about the loss of such a wonderful actor who played his best role in different stokes .

By Reena

I agree with you totally, I too grew up watching the show - but they still do play re-runs on Me Tv (maybe you don't have it in your area?)

RIP Gary!

Oh I just remembered a movie I loved with Gary Coleman when I was a kid - he was really young, but it was called On The Right Track - I loved it! He was a homeless kid who lived in the train station and had a knack for picking winning horses - anyways, he lived in a locker! he was so tiny! I just remember it being really cool and wanting to get in locker after I saw it!

Monday 31 May

By Brian Campbell

Rest in peace Gary Coleman. You will be missed.

Saturday 29 May

By joan glasgow

Ilove you rest in pease you will be missed.

By Ricardo

I HOPE THOSE AT THE INSIDER FEEL A STAB OF GUILT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THIS GUY WAS MADE FUN OF OVER AND OVER AGAIN. HE SHOULD HAVE WORKED MORE BUT INSTEAD WAS THE BUTT OF JOKES. GOD THE GUY'S MOM AND DAD STOLE NEARLY 20 MILLION DOLLARS FROM HIM. IMAGINE THE SENSE OF BETRAYAL HE HAD TO DEAL WITH. I ADMIRED HIM WHEN HE SAID HE WAS PROUD TO DO AN HONEST DAY'S WORK. MANY WHO WERE STARS BEFORE WOULD HAVE DIED RATHER THAN HUMBLE THEMSELVES TO APPLY FOR WORK LIKE THAT. I HOPE YOU ARE AT PEACE MR. COLEMAN. YOU DESERVE IT.

By Praveen

rest in Peace...Gary....U'll live forever in our heart

By sal

Parent if you can't unconditionaly love your child ask Jesus Christ to put love in your heart for your child.Gary Coleman was a very talented actor and blessed many thank God for people like him.

By faith

Too bad, Bill, that you had not a great experience when you had a chance to wait on Gary Coleman. However, don't you think you are also rude to put this note on here so soon after this man's death? What will people write about you when you leave this earth? We all have less than proud moments and times when we didn't treat another human being with respect. Maybe you should take that situation you experienced and try harder in your life to show kindness to others and be gracious. I know I could use it in my own life. So in the spirit of Gary, AKA, Arnold..."What you talkin' 'bout, Bill?" Take care!

By Bill

I DID finish by saying that I hope he's at peace now. He was flat out yelling at this one new worker and she went in the back room and cried, so, what you talkin' about? He may have played a cute kid on TV, but ask anyone who worked with me then about how he acted in real life.

Sunday 30 May

By cadenluv

"Why was the life support terminated??.....I still believe they should of given him some more time at to recuperate at least a month or two."

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