Book Review: Killing Willis: From Diff’rent Strokes To The Mean Streets To The Life I Always Wanted
by Todd Bridges
Publication Date: Mar 16, 2010
List Price: $26.00
Format: Hardcover, 288 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
ISBN13: 9781439148983
Imprint: Touchstone
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.
Read a Description of Killing Willis: From Diff’rent Strokes To The Mean Streets To The Life I Always Wanted
Book Reviewed by Kam Williams
"AlI I ever wanted as a kid was to be a famous TV
star… My dream came true when I was lucky enough to land the role of
Willis Jackson on ‘Diff’rent Strokes.’ I thought I had it made, and for a
little while, I did. But I didn’t know God had other plans for me."
—Excerpted from the Preface (pg. 1)
"What you talking ‘bout, Willis" was Gary Coleman’s character’s signature
catchphrase on "Diff’rent Strokes" which millions of viewers kept tuning in
to hear every week over the course of the cursed TV show’s eight-year run
from 1978 until 1986. I say the sitcom was cursed because of the
well-publicized host of woes which would be visited upon the trio of child
actors who starred on the program.
The diminutive Coleman had to declare bankruptcy after his trust fund was
squandered by his parents. He ended up working as a security
guard in a mall where he was charged with assault for punching a female
patron.
Today, the 40 year-old virgin needs dialysis daily due to the congenital
kidney disease which stunted growth at 4’8". He was most recently back in
the tabloids in January of this year when he was arrested for domestic
violence.
The late Dana Plato, who played Kimberly on the program, died of a drug
overdose in 1999. But that came after having her life savings stolen by her
accountant, pulling an armed robbery, appearing nude in Playboy and making a
porno film.
Todd Bridges, Coleman’s big brother Willis on the show, had his own share of
problems after the program was canceled. He not only ended up broke like his
co-stars, but became a crackhead as well. He was later arrested for the
attempted murder of another dealer and for stabbing his landlord in the
chest in a dispute over unpaid rent.
In Killing Willis, Bridges honestly and eloquently chronicles his rise and
fall in graphic detail, including his bottoming-out behind bars before
finally finding redemption on the long road back to sobriety. Today, the
happily-married father of two says, surprisingly, that he has no regrets
because he feels blessed to have his wife and kids.
A heartbreaking memoir of innocence lost, exploitation, failing and
recovery, with a happy ending that’s all too rare when it comes to former
child stars