Gary Coleman Quotes

Powerful Gary Coleman for Daily Growth

About Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman, born on February 8, 1968, in Zion, Illinois, and passed away on May 28, 2010, was an American actor best known for his role as Arnold Jackson in the popular television sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes" (1978-1986). The show catapulted him to fame at a tender age of nine. Raised by his grandmother after his parents divorced, Coleman's early life was marked by poverty and instability. However, his big break on "Diff'rent Strokes" offered him an escape from these hardships, providing him with fame, fortune, and opportunities beyond his wildest dreams. The character Arnold Jackson became synonymous with Coleman, and he used his platform to address social issues and advocate for children's rights. Coleman's life after "Diff'rent Strokes" was marred by personal struggles. Despite these challenges, he continued acting in various roles, including a return to the small screen in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Martin." His later years were fraught with financial difficulties and health problems, leading to his untimely death at the age of 42 from a brain hemorrhage. Coleman's impact extends beyond his acting career. He was an advocate for organ donation, having received a kidney transplant in 1990, and he was also open about his struggles with epilepsy. His life story serves as a reminder of the complexities of fame, the challenges faced by child actors transitioning into adulthood, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"What you learnin', Facts of Life?"

The quote, "What you learnin', Facts of Life?", is a playful line from the TV show "Diff'rent Strokes" where Gary Coleman's character, Arnold, often asked this question to his peers to indicate curiosity or mocking skepticism. Symbolically, it can be interpreted as asking someone about what they are learning, discovering, or gaining knowledge from a given situation, reflecting the essence of personal growth and education in everyday life.


"I'm Gary Coleman! I'm not in school to thumb wrestle!"

This quote by Gary Coleman emphasizes his focus on education and his seriousness about learning, implying that he is not in school just for leisure or social activities but to acquire knowledge and skills. It also suggests a level of determination and dedication in his academic pursuits. The phrase "thumb wrestle" might be used metaphorically here, indicating that school isn't a place for casual play or frivolous activities, but a platform for intellectual growth and development.


"Ain't no party like a Arnold's party 'cause an Arnold's party might possibly be the best."

This quote, attributed to Gary Coleman, suggests that there's no better party than one thrown by Arnold, implying that the host, Arnold, consistently delivers unparalleled entertainment and joy at his events. The phrase "might possibly be the best" implies a high degree of satisfaction, but also leaves room for others to argue their own favorite parties, acknowledging subjectivity in the matter. Essentially, Coleman is praising the quality and enjoyment of Arnold's parties, setting a high standard for all future events.


"Would I rather be rich or famous? Well, I'd rather be rich because you can always tell how rich you are, but you can't always tell if people really love you."

This quote from Gary Coleman indicates a preference for material wealth over popularity or fame. He suggests that riches offer tangible proof of one's status, while the genuine feelings of others (love, admiration) may not always be apparent. In essence, Coleman highlights the value he places on certainty and stability, as represented by financial security, over the fleeting and often superficial nature of fame.


"You wanna know what grits is? It's like cornflakes, only a whole lot thicker and you gotta cook it in water."

This quote by Gary Coleman humorously compares grits, a traditional Southern U.S. dish made from ground, boiled corn, to cornflakes, a popular breakfast cereal. While the texture of cooked grits is thicker than cornflakes and they require cooking in water instead of milk or juice, the basic ingredients are similar - both are derived from corn. The humor lies in Gary Coleman's straightforward comparison, as well as his playful suggestion that one might not immediately understand the difference between the two food items.


My slogan is I'm the least qualified guy for the job, but I'd probably do the best job.

- Gary Coleman

Best, Guy, Least, Qualified

You can involve yourself in electronics, computers, puzzles... there's a lot of creativity and brain working. There's a lot to model trains that people don't realize.

- Gary Coleman

Brain, Electronics, Puzzles, Trains

Television is fun, but it's hard, and if it gets too crazy I may just do it as a part-time thing.

- Gary Coleman

Television, May, Gets, Part-Time

I don't have any friends and don't have any intention of making any. People will stab you in the back, mistreat you, talk about me behind your back, steal from you. And they're not really your friends. They're only there because you're a celebrity or because they want to get something from you.

- Gary Coleman

Celebrity, Behind, Steal, Mistreat

I still have the desire to do the job of acting. It's just a matter of whether I'll be allowed to do the job of acting that remains to be seen. There are only so many brick walls that I'm willing to beat my head on.

- Gary Coleman

Desire, Still, Allowed, Brick

Star Wars was magnificent, but you could tell Darth Vader's ships were glued together.

- Gary Coleman

Star, Could, Star Wars, Ships

I read Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Reader's Digest... I read some responsible journalism, and from that, I form my own opinions. I also happen to be intelligent, and I question everything.

- Gary Coleman

Happen, Some, Read, Journalism

I liked 'Diff'rent Strokes' up until about the last three or four years. I was bored.

- Gary Coleman

Last, Four, Strokes, Bored

I knew what normalcy was, and I wasn't having it.

- Gary Coleman

Knew, Having, Normalcy

I have lifestyle requirements. Photos, meetings, lunches, dinners, facial care, tooth care. It requires an exorbitant amount of money.

- Gary Coleman

Requirements, Amount, Photos, Tooth

George W. Bush bought the election - period. End of story. There is no argument. You can try to come up with any argument you can, but there is none.

- Gary Coleman

Election, Argument, Period, George W

I parody myself every chance I get. I try to make fun of myself and let people know that I'm a human being, and these things that have happened to me are real. I'm not just some cartoon who exists and suddenly doesn't exist.

- Gary Coleman

Some, Get, Things, Every Chance

I try to understand people who aren't as smart as me and not be hateful.

- Gary Coleman

Me, Try, Understand, Hateful

I know the difference between true love and the love of my fans.

- Gary Coleman

Love, True, Know, True Love

I have four strikes against me. I'm black, I'm short, I'm intelligent, and I have a medical condition.

- Gary Coleman

Medical, Condition, Four, Strikes

I can see through almost any scam, especially one perpetrated by the federal government. I can see through it... they can't pull the wool over my eyes, it's absolutely freakin' impossible to pull the wool over my eyes about the government.

- Gary Coleman

Through, Over, Wool, Federal

Politics is never about the people. It's about money. And wars. And how many heads you can step on and bodies you can step over. And I'm just not that kind of person.

- Gary Coleman

Politics, Over, Bodies, Heads

I don't hurt or want for visibility, but people seem to forget pretty easily.

- Gary Coleman

Forget, Want, Pretty, Visibility

I would not give my first 15 years to my worst enemy.

- Gary Coleman

Give, Worst, Would, Enemy

I suffer a little bit from Napoleonism, if you will.

- Gary Coleman

Will, Little Bit, Bit, Suffer

I can't sit back and swallow stuff. I live in a time and place, and in a country on earth where you're not supposed to swallow it. People just gave up.

- Gary Coleman

People, Country, Back, Swallow

I may like L.A., but I want to know when the seasons are.

- Gary Coleman

Want, Like, May, Seasons

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