The High Price of Fame Chat With Former Child Star Gary Coleman Former child actor Gary Coleman, star of the hit '80s series, Diff'rent Strokes, speaks to 20/20, about his dramatic rise and fall in Hollywood. Coleman, now 31 years old, reveals how he went from an instant television success, earning millions, to a man who has lost most of his fortune. Despite the setbacks, he tells 20/20 that he reflects back on his childhood experience without resentment. Today, Gary Coleman is the celebrity spokesman for a restaurant and arcade in California where he entertains kids, a co-host of The Reel Show on the Web site Realpreviews.com, and has new television projects in the works. Gary Coleman will answer your questions when he joins us live on Monday May 17 at 6 p.m. ET. You can submit your questions now, but they won't be posted until the moderator begins the chat. Moderator at 9:06am ET Good morning. Gary Coleman will answer your questions when he joins us live on Monday May 17 at 6 p.m. ET. You can submit your questions now, but they won't be posted until the moderator begins the chat. Moderator at 5:56pm ET Gary Coleman joins us shortly. Please keep sending in your questions. tracy and chris from [209.97.179.90], at 6:04pm ET We were saddened by the tragic death of your phenomenal co-star, Dana Plato. Do you have any special stories or fond memories of her that you would like to share? Gary Coleman at 6:07pm ET Yes, I have a story. 1984, I believe: Dana and a friend of mine and I went on a picnic outing in her car -- she was driving. And she was a free spirit as we all understand, and I know this. She decided she wanted to go do donuts you know, take the car and spin it in donuts. Looking for a place evrywhere -- used a couple of empty parking lots on the way to do tailspins and donuts -- which of course, is something I nomrally wouldn't do. But she wasn't satisfied with that, so we looked for aplace that was bigger and more secluded. We turned off Pico Blvd. and we found an entrance into what looked to be a park. That park turne dout to be a golf course. Adn we ended up driving around all 18 holes of the golf course -- because Dan thought it would be fun! We didn't drive on the greens or anything, but some golfers were a little concerned! The roof of the car got hit a couple of times with drives. Gilda from [207.239.33.87] at 6:07pm ET Can you briefly describe some of the jobs you've had to make ends meet during your more difficult times? Gary Coleman at 6:12pm ET I've had various jobs since 1988 -- some because I needed to work, and some because I wanted to work. the ones I wanted to work: In denver, when I lived there, I worked at Caboose Hobbies -- a great train store, fabulous train store. I did hte same when I lived in Tucson briefly -- worked in a fabulous treain store. Then back in L.A., I worked in another train store! Because I have many, many, many year of expertise with this hobby. Tried Amway, STILL trying Amway: I'm not a big fan of network marketing. Didn't work a regular job for a while, and stayed as an actor for a long time, except for the time I was in Denver and Tucson, when I retired. I just decided I wanted to quit. Then I jsut got sick and tired of not making ANY money at all of any kind, so I started working again. My self-esteem was suffering, so I decided to do the one job that I did train for, and that was security. I was trained in Tucson, where I actually did security for ahile, and now I've done it here in LA for about 1-1/2 years -- still working as an actor all the while. During the time I learned security and started working for a company, I went to the opening of Holoworld Cafe, which is a restaurant that features laser-tag and video games, another thing right up my alley. And it was mutually agreed that I should have a position with the corporation as corporate spokesperson. So I do that job currently also. I haven't done security in a while. Gary Coleman at 6:13pm ET By the way, I did have a video game arcade of my own in 1991 or 92, and that's where I gained alot of my knowledge and interest in the video game business. Emily from [206.190.35.147], at 6:13pm ET All three of the child stars on "Diff'rent Strokes" seemed to have serious problems adjusting to life after TV. Is this simply reality for grown-up child stars, or do you think there was something about your particular environment in the years you were on the show that led to problems later? Gary Coleman at 6:15pm ET Oh, that would be both. Both cconditions apply. The industry affects some child stars different htan it affects others. We do have our Ron Howards out there, who was a child star and went on to become a world-renowned, highly respected film director. Then you have examples of myself who have strong moral ethics and seeks justice wherever possible in life -- and my problems are all legal, and I will always stand up for myself. It doesn't matter if I'm a celebrity or not. My humanity is more prized than being a celebrity. Gary Coleman at 6:17pm ET And because the industry has no mechanism for taking care of its members, whether they be child stars or not -- because an adult can fall just as hard as any child star -- There's no mechanism for taking care of people who fall out of favor workwise, and their self-esteem suffers, their mental attitude suffers, and because they ahve such regrets and hurt, they lash out through drugs or alcoholism in what seems to me a very, very loud plea for the respect they once had from the industry. It's also a plea that says, Hey, I'm not dead yet. I can still do my job, and I can still entertain people. Norman Davis, Jr. from [131.182.110.31], at 6:18pmET What was the pivotal point in your life that made you suddenly realize you were falling/going down hill? Gary Coleman at 6:19pm ET It's too hard to pinpoint because it's a culmination of a lot of different things, but the actual realization came when I just wasn't working as much as I wanted to. I'm a workaholic and I like to work, and my work mentality suffers more than anything, because I like to please, and I like to do my job -- any job -- to the best of my abiliity: 150 percent. karen from [208.195.168.137], at 6:19pm ET this is not a question, but a comment. After watching 20/20, I just had to tell you what an inspiration you are to anyone who has had to overcome adversity. Wow! Talk about "picking yourself up, brushing yourself off, and starting all over again!!" You should go on the lecture circut and give inspirational talks about the power of positive thinking! Gary Coleman at 6:20pm ET I would go on the circuit if I had a magical message that I could share, but the lecture would only be about t3en minutes long: Never giove up! Never quit! Never let anyone kick you when you're down, or beat on you when you're standing up. Tenacity is the key to getting anything you want. isthatso from ny from [160.254.115.80], at 6:21pm ET Just how much money did your foster parents misapproriate from you and what percentage did you recoup? Gary Coleman at 6:22pm ET I can't really discuss the recuperation, but it will never be $18 million -- never. My parents took more, along with Anita D. Thomas than i could ever spend. Thomas was the business manager, and she was calling the shots. She and my parents couldn't have stolen more. It was more than I could ever spend -- and believe you me, I did spend a bit -- but never close to the amount that they took. Adrian in L.A. from [12.9.69.218], at 6:22pm ET When did you get interested in Trains, and are you still a rail enthusiast? Gary Coleman at 6:24pm ET Still very much a rail enthusiast. Very big supporter of Amtrak. And currently I'm a modern prototypical modeler in H-O scale. I first became interested in trains somewhere along the way; during the first five years of my life I picked up the bug. I don't know if it was because I had a relative that lived near the railroad trac ks, or because I took the treain to Chicago frequently for auditions. Somewhere along the way, after I started getting into modeling when I was 5, we started taking train trips to chicago for commercial auditions. Mark from [206.101.50.1], at 6:25pm ET When was the last time you talked with Dana Plato before her death? Did she approach you for help? Gary Coleman at 6:26pm ET That would be on Vibe,about a year and a half ago, which is no longer on the air. I don't involve myself in people's personal lives at all iun the industry, because I prefer to have friendships and relationships well outside the industry. I enjoy people when I work with them, and I look forward to the next time I work with them, but that's it. Gary Coleman at 6:26pm ET I have always had a personal rule: Never make friends with anybody in the industry, because you'll always end up owing them, or with them owing you. Johnboy from [208.248.126.209], at 6:26pm ET If you could offer any advice to current child stars, based on your own experiences and observations, what would you tell them? Gary Coleman at 6:28pm ET I would tell them to find one person, whether that be a lawyer, a best friend, sombody -- somebody out of the immediate family circle, someone out of the work circle, well out of it -- that you can trust, and that you know cares about you and your interests. And protect your assets. Dont's spend all the money yourself. As a matter of fact, figure out a way to keep YOU from spending your own money as well, so that you can have a prosperous and very financially fit future. Ljpitzer from proxy.aol.com at 6:28pm ET What would you say was your favorite Episode of Differnt Strokes? Gary Coleman at 6:29pm ET I've never really had a favorite. The show has been off the air for almost 14 years now -- in 7 months it will be 14 years. Maynard from ksni.net at 6:29pm ET What plans do you have for the future? Anything involving television? Gary Coleman at 6:30pm ET Long as television will have me, but if I'm not doing anything really specific and interesting I may just go ahead and retire completely in the early part of the next millenium. The VERY early part. Gracie from [129.237.7.92], at 6:30pm ET What is your health situation like now? Are you dialysis (Peritoneal, or Hemo) or do you have a transplant? Gary Coleman at 6:31pm ET Yes, I'm still on dialysis. I've been doing some form of dialysis now since 1983 -- and my health is as good as I can make it. And I think I'm in pretty good health if I do say so my damn self! Ryan from NY from [204.32.162.205], at 6:31pm ET I heard you have television projects in the works,could you give us some more info? Gary Coleman at 6:32pm ET Not a whole lot I can share at this point, because we're in talks with several different entities to produce a show about an airport. I don't want to give it away, but that's as specific as I can get. Gale Colden from [148.100.152.101], at 6:33pm ET Gary I am proud of your ability to bounce back from this devasting experience. You are resilient. Have your parents attempted to reconcile yet? Forgiveness is a powerful tool. Where are you on that decision? Gary Coleman at 6:36pm ET Where I am on that decision is: Forgiveness has been weakened over the centuries since man has been on this planet. You can forgive amongst friends for a mistake, or an oversight, or a miscommunication, or a misunderstanding. But forgiveness has to be felt and earned amongst people, and there will bnever be any kind of forgiveness -- no business managers, no agents, no parents, blood or otherwise, no lawyers of any kind -- that had anything to do with my personal, mental and physical destruction. There will never be enough forgiveness anywhere. And of course I don't let their transgressions stop me from living my life the way I want as best I can. I certainly can't punish them - want to, woud love to! But there's nothing that can wake up a closed mind and a closed heart. Bob from da.groupz.net at 6:36pm ET Do you think 'younger' actors/actresses experience too much stress & pressure for their age and experience in the modern 'entertainment era'? Gary Coleman at 6:37pm ET Of course, but that's only because there are no boundaries set within the family unit. There are no safeguards to prevent adults from doing business the way adults do business. A child star or child actor becomes as much a tool and a commodity as an adult actor. Thomas from metawire.com at 6:38pm ET I've seen the Reel Show and Gary is really great as an entertainment reporter. Keep up the good work. What is coming up next for the Reel Show??? Gary Coleman at 6:38pm ET ReelPreviews.com is the place. We'll have a new show next week, and if we don't have a new show next week, please send in your email and faxes to the link or links that you acquire the shows through! keithgo from lib.berkeley.edu at 6:39pm ET The 20/20 special mentioned that the people who stole money from you are your foster parents. Have you ever considered trying to find your biological parents? Gary Coleman at 6:40pm ET No. Did it about 20 years ago, was unsatisfied with the conclusion. A private investigator found someone in Michigan that claimed to be my biological mother, but I doubt it and didn't pursue it after that, because it is my feeling -- and I don't know what skeletons are in the closet -- that I am at least my father's biological son, because I do look like a lot of his family, and him. Gary Coleman at 6:42pm ET The most satisfying point in my career was the film "Fantastic World of D.C. Collins" in 1980-something -- well before '88. Stacey Rae in Columbus, Ohio from ac.com at 6:43pmET Do you have any regrets about acting at a young age and what advise would you give children today who are interested in acting. Gary Coleman at 6:43pm ET Oh, I'll always have regrets, but I'll always be responsible for having chosen the profession. If I had it to do over, it wouldn't be done. JB from [216.2.71.164] at 6:43pm ET I really admire your courage and tenacity! My question concerns your attempt at a music career I heard about in the early '90s. Did you make any recordings, or do you have any future plans in this field? Gary Coleman at 6:44pm ET No, I was actually helping out a friend to see if I could help him get his record career started. I have no intention of being in the music business. Mikey from [38.170.238.65], at 6:44pm ET Have you considered writing an autobiography? Gary Coleman at 6:44pm ET People are always writing me about writing an autobiography. I have very little interest. cameron from sympatico.bconnected.net at 6:44pm ET Did working on Different Strokes in any way provide a positive learning experience? Did you learn any "life lessons" from the people on that show? Gary Coleman at 6:45pm ET Other than gaining the pleasure and the opportunity to relieve the burden of everyday living for people by making them laugh, or making them think, there isn't anything really to be learned from the entertainment industry. Joe from bti-inc.com at 6:45pm ET Do you currently have A GF and are you planning on marriage or kids anytime soon. Gary Coleman at 6:47pm ET No, I don't have any plans for marriage! None at all! I've known since I was 12 I'm not going to get married. I'm not actively seeking a wife, but I'm actively seeking a companion, someone who actually likes me for ME, and doesn't care about my abilities or the things I can do or bring or provide. Someone to play backgammon with -- someone to share a hug with -- someone who has no selfish interest other than to just care, and hang out with me. Jenn K from [12.20.58.66], at 6:47pm ET Have you ever been discriminated against because of the color of your skin? Gary Coleman at 6:47pm ET You know, I've always thought about discrimination because of the lack of work, but because there are so many other variables, it really doesn't make sense to even consider it. Chauncey Nelson from med.nyu.edu at 6:47pm ET in some ways, is it a relief to be out of the spotlight? Or, do you want your old lifestyle? Gary Coleman at 6:48pm ET The unfortunate thing is, once you're there, you're there until death. There is no release from the spotlight. Don from [198.178.200.5], at 6:48pm ET Gary- Can you tell us about working with Mr. T on that one episode? Gary Coleman at 6:49pm ET He's a very nice guy; he's very funny! And his muscles really are that big! Or really WERE that big, at least -- I haven't seen the man since the episode. Moderator at 6:50pm ET Thanks for joining us today Gary. Any final thoughts? Gary Coleman at 6:50pm ET Thanks for having me, and if you want me on the air, do something about it! Write, call protest, take a personal interest. It's always nice to have other soldiers who will fight the fight with you! Gary Coleman at 6:51pm ET To all the people whose questions I didn't get to, thanks for your questions, and I hope my answers to the questions I did get to helped you out!