Diff'rent Strokes

Diff'rent Strokes is an American sitcom created by Jeff Harris and Bernie Kukoff. Diff'rent Strokes is set in New York City. It ran for 8 seasons and had 189 episodes. Diff'rent Strokes launched the career of four of its stars Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges, Dana Plato, and Conrad Bain.

About
The show is about a rich man Phillip Drummond (Conrad Bain) and his daughter Kimberly Drummond (Dana Plato) living in an apartment in New York City. Shortly before his maid died, she wanted him to take care of her two children, Arnold and Willis Jackson (Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges). They go through funny adventures and face realistic problems that can affect Arnold or the Drummond family.

Cast and characters
Conrad Bain is the only cast member to appear in all Diff'rent Strokes episodes. Gary Coleman did not appear in two.

Main characters
 Conrad Bain as Phillip Drummond, a friendly, rich white widower. He runs the Trans Allied, Inc. He was born December 3, 1931 in Manhattan. He has two adopted African-American sons, 12-year-old Willis and 8-year-old Arnold Jackson. He also has an older sister named Sophia. He then remarried Maggie McKinney.
 Dana Plato as Kimberly Drummond, Phillip's only biological child. She was shown as a caring, loving big sister to both Willis and Arnold. As a rich teenager, though, she had various problems.
 Gary Coleman as Arnold Jackson, the younger brother of Willis. He was born in Harlem, New York City on October 19, 1971. Arnold was known for his catch phrase, Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis?, which became a part of popular culture.
 Todd Bridges as Willis Jackson, the older brother of Arnold. He was born in Harlem on April 27, 1965. Willis's catch phrase is Say what?

Other characters
 Charlotte Rae - Edna Garrett
 Nedra Volz - Adelaide Brubaker
 Janet Jackson - Charlene DuPrey
 Dody Goodman - Aunt Sophia
 Shavar Ross - Dudley Ramsey
 Le Tari - Mr. Ted Ramsey
 Mary Jo Catlett - Pearl Gallagher
 Rosalind Chao - Miss Chung
 Steven Mond - Robbie Jason
 Nikki Swasey - Lisa Hayes
 Dixie Carter - Maggie McKinney Drummond #1
 Mary Ann Mobley - Maggie McKinney Drummond #2
 Danny Cooksey - Sam McKinney
 Jason Hervey - Charlie

The curse
There have been rumors of a curse about the cast members of the series such as; the falling career, robbery, and suicide of Dana Plato and the sudden death of  Gary Coleman from an accidental fall. The only well-known cast members that survive is Todd Bridges.

References

Other websites




Category:1978 American television series debuts
Category:1986 American television series endings
Category:1970s American sitcoms
Category:1980s American sitcoms
Category:1980s American black sitcoms
Category:American Broadcasting Company original programming
Category:NBC sitcoms
Category:American television series about families
Category:Television series set in Manhattan
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:American television series revived after cancellation
Category:Television series about adoption
Category:Television series about siblings
Category:Television series by Sony Pictures Television