Arnold Jackson (character)
Encyclopedia
Arnold Jackson is a breakout character on the television series
Diff'rent Strokes
. He was portrayed by Gary Coleman
.
), and was born in Harlem
, New York City
on October 19, 1971. Arnold is a "precocious moppet", who was practically known for his catch phrase
, "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis?, which became a part of popular culture.
Arnold's father died in 1975, and his mother died in 1977. His mother worked as a housekeeper for a wealthy White
widower, named Philip Drummond (Conrad Bain
). Before her death, his mother expressed her wish for her 2 boys to be cared for by Mr. Drummond. He agreed, and in 1979, he officially adopted Willis and Arnold.
Arnold is the main character in the television series
. In many episodes, he is shown as being a selfish younger brother, or coming up with or being suckered into some scheme to keep out of trouble or obtain his desire of the episode. When the boys first moved in with Mr. Drummond, Willis wanted to move back to Harlem
, while Arnold was satisfied with their new surroundings. Willis eventually changed his mind, and they decided to stay with "Mr. D.", as the boys initially referred to him.http://www.tv.com/diffrent-strokes/movin-in/episode/27102/summary.html?tag=ep_list;ep_title;0.
In another episode, Arnold has to fight a school bully named "The Gooch", so that he will not pick on him anymore. However, Mr. Drummond does not want Arnold fighting the bully, and ultimately decides that Arnold must make peace with "The Gooch". Arnold, however, listens to his brother, Willis, who tells him to fight back. This ended with Arnold getting a black eye
, and both boys getting in trouble.
Arnold is best friends with Dudley Johnson-Ramsey (played by TV actor
Shavar Ross
), who—like Arnold—was adopted. Dudley appeared in many episodes and both were involved in various schemes throughout the series. Steven Mond
also played Robbie, Arnold's other best friend, who once pressured him to drugs. In one episode, Arnold had to have an appendectomy but is too scared to see the doctor.
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
Diff'rent Strokes
Diff'rent Strokes
Diff'rent Strokes is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from November 3, 1978 to May 4, 1985, and on ABC from September 27, 1985 to March 7, 1986...
. He was portrayed by Gary Coleman
Gary Coleman
Gary Wayne Coleman was an American actor, known for his childhood role as Arnold Jackson in the American sitcom Diff'rent Strokes and for his small stature as an adult. He was described in the 1980s as "one of television's most promising stars". After a successful childhood acting career, Coleman...
.
Character Theme
Arnold John Jackson is the younger brother of Willis Jackson (Todd BridgesTodd Bridges
Todd Anthony Bridges is an American actor. He is best known for his childhood role as Willis Jackson on the NBC/ABC sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, and for his recurring role as Monk on the UPN/CW sitcom Everybody Hates Chris...
), and was born in Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on October 19, 1971. Arnold is a "precocious moppet", who was practically known for his catch phrase
Catch phrase
A catchphrase is a phrase or expression recognized by its repeated utterance. Such phrases often originate in popular culture and in the arts, and typically spread through a variety of mass media , as well as word of mouth...
, "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis?, which became a part of popular culture.
Arnold's father died in 1975, and his mother died in 1977. His mother worked as a housekeeper for a wealthy White
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
widower, named Philip Drummond (Conrad Bain
Conrad Bain
Conrad Stafford Bain is a Canadian-American actor. His television credits include a leading role as Phillip Drummond in the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes and as Dr. Arthur Harmon on Maude.-Personal life:...
). Before her death, his mother expressed her wish for her 2 boys to be cared for by Mr. Drummond. He agreed, and in 1979, he officially adopted Willis and Arnold.
Arnold is the main character in the television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
. In many episodes, he is shown as being a selfish younger brother, or coming up with or being suckered into some scheme to keep out of trouble or obtain his desire of the episode. When the boys first moved in with Mr. Drummond, Willis wanted to move back to Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
, while Arnold was satisfied with their new surroundings. Willis eventually changed his mind, and they decided to stay with "Mr. D.", as the boys initially referred to him.http://www.tv.com/diffrent-strokes/movin-in/episode/27102/summary.html?tag=ep_list;ep_title;0.
In another episode, Arnold has to fight a school bully named "The Gooch", so that he will not pick on him anymore. However, Mr. Drummond does not want Arnold fighting the bully, and ultimately decides that Arnold must make peace with "The Gooch". Arnold, however, listens to his brother, Willis, who tells him to fight back. This ended with Arnold getting a black eye
Black eye
A black eye , or or 'shiner', is bruising around the eye commonly due to an injury to the face rather than eye injury. The name is given due to the color of bruising. The so-called black eye is caused by bleeding beneath the skin and around the eye...
, and both boys getting in trouble.
Arnold is best friends with Dudley Johnson-Ramsey (played by TV actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
Shavar Ross
Shavar Ross
Shavar Malik Ross is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, film producer, editor, photographer, author, and entrepreneur. He is known for his recurring television roles as Dudley Ramsey on the NBC sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, and as Weasel on the ABC sitcom Family Matters.-Biography:Ross...
), who—like Arnold—was adopted. Dudley appeared in many episodes and both were involved in various schemes throughout the series. Steven Mond
Steven Mond
Steven Mond is an American former child actor best known for playing Robbie Jason on the 1980s sitcom Diff'rent Strokes.He also guest starred on the TV series CHiPs and Quincy M.E. and had a role in the 1979 movie 1941....
also played Robbie, Arnold's other best friend, who once pressured him to drugs. In one episode, Arnold had to have an appendectomy but is too scared to see the doctor.