Gary Coleman
May 28, 2010

My friend has died. Long live my friend.

"Wha'chu talkin' about, Willis?"

At 42, he has passed, my little buddy, Gary Coleman. Much will be written and said about this American icon…and very little of it true.

During the trial against his parents, Gary told me the story of his adoption: "When my parents got me home, they found out I was broken. And they couldn't take me back."

He bought a Hummer when he won the lawsuit against his parents, a big Red one that required a step-stool to enter and exit, and when my wife saw him drive up to the Smoke House restaurant with his new prize and stagger down from the driver's seat, she seized his shoulders and said, "Gary, you look ridiculous."

I've used this term for many years: "Damaged goods."

We did not treat him fairly, this diminutive television star. He knew he was born to please, this child of God who lived without kidneys.

Did we give him credit for his Gift? I think not. In 1980 we filmed a movie with Gary, "Scout's Honor," me and Lauren Chapin, Jay North and Angela Cartwright. Before we shot our first scene, Gary had to go behind the set and throw up. I was concerned and said so.

"Oh, don't worry about Gary", I was told. "He's always been sick."

Paul Petersen