Gary Coleman and Dennis Hopper, RIP - it will be better now

Acknowledging the sad passing of two entertainment icons over a two-day period: the child star of TV's "Diff'rent Strokes" who died too young (at 42), and the hippie star, photographer, and artist who had so much fun (at 74). By all accounts, Gary Coleman lived a sad life after he entered adulthood, suffering from kidney disease, which had always stunted his growth, and left this world from a different stroke of sorts, a brain hemorrhage caused by a fall at home. The jury is out on whether or not Dennis Hopper ever actually entered adulthood, but he brought us a lot of pleasure during a long career that included the role of biker Billy in the 70's trippy "Easy Rider," which he directed, and as Frank Booth in the quirky David Lynch film, "Blue Velvet." ("I AM Franck," Hopper once said.)

Gary Coleman was best known for his role as Arnold Jackson on "Diff'rent Strokes" (1978-1986) and also appeared on "The Jeffersons" and "Good Times." Proof that acting success brings neither happiness nor wealth, he lived in poverty for much of his adult years, even though he earned about $100,000 for each episode of his hit show. A documentary on the Biography Channel estimated he was left with only a quarter of his original earnings after paying his parents, advisers, lawyers, and taxes. He sued his parents and his former advisers for misappropriation of his assets and won $1.3 million. He had a brief marriage to Shannon Price, and was involved in several reported incidents of domestic violence, disorderly conduct, and an automobile accident.

Coleman will be fondly remembered as the kid whose catchprase was, "What'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?"

Hopper's career went back to solid stage work and a TV appearance in 1955 in "Rebel Without a Cause" with James Dean, and carried him through the tumultuous 60's and into stardom in the 70's. He was known for his overindulgence in booze and drugs, and he once told Charlie Rose that, "the alcohol was awful. I was a terrible alcoholic...I mean, people used to ask how much drugs I did. I said, 'I only do drugs so I can drink more.' I was doing the coke so I could drink more. I mean, I don't know any other reason. I'd start drinking in the morning. I'd drink all day long."

Hopper entered rehab in the 1980's and that helped his career. As for his personal life - reams could be written - but the short version is that he married five times and had four children, ranging in age from 47 to 6. He also had 2 grandchildren.

Dennis Hopper died of prostate cancer that had spread to his bones, leaving him thin and frail. He was surrounded by his children, according to his wife Victoria. Hopper said he wanted to be buried in Taos, New Mexico, "his heart home."
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