The House of Representatives pauses to note Gary Coleman's death, and so do we

Gary Coleman died Friday, taking with him -- for those of us of a certain age -- a prime-time childhood memory or two.

Regular readers know this blog has had its fun with Coleman in recent months, as the former child star's legal and career struggles continued -- but we also kept an eye on his health as he struggled there as well. That attention wouldn't have been paid if we didn't have a special place set aside for the guy who embedded the phrase "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis" in our pop culture.

On Friday, Rep. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) took time on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to mark Coleman's passing, at age 42 -- and similarly we take time to share that video with you, above. 

No Academy Awards nominations here, no Emmy statuettes -- but in the early 1980s Coleman did rack up a handful of People's Choice Awards, which are decided by fans' votes. He didn't invent a cure for cancer or usher in an era of world peace. But he did entertain us in a uniquely American way. 

So, whatchoo talkin' 'bout this weekend? For a minute or two, perhaps it'll be Gary Coleman. 

Read the "Diff'rent Strokes" star's full obituary here.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Video credit: C-SPAN

Click and scroll down for the Ministry's coverage of Gary Coleman's final months. Want more celebrity headlines? Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Twitter (we're @LATcelebs), or Like us into your news feed when you visit our Facebook page.

'Diff'rent Strokes' actor Gary Coleman has died

[Update 11:51 a.m.: Gary Coleman, who suffered an intracranial hemorrhage earlier this week, has died at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, according to hospital spokeswoman Janet Frank.]

Coleman, who was hospitalized earlier this week, was on on life support with a brain hemorrhage.

His manager John Alcantar said Coleman, 42, suffered a head injury Wednesday after falling in his Utah home and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, according to Eonline.com. 

The former “Diff'rent Strokes” star was then transferred to the intensive care unit at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center for additional tests and treatment.

-- Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: Gary Coleman. Credit: Richard Drew / Associated Press

Related: Gary Coleman dies at 42; child star of hit sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes

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Gary Coleman is hospitalized, reportedly in 'critical condition' after falling

Several outlets are reporting that the former “Diff'rent Strokes” star is hospitalized in Utah and has undergone emergency surgery.

Details are sketchy. Coleman, 42, was reportedly transported to the hospital after, family members say, the actor suffered a head injury during a fall. Coleman's brother-in-law told TMZ that the actor was in critical condition.

Coleman is no stranger to a hospital room. He suffered seizures in January and February. 

He also suffers from a congenital kidney disease and requires frequent dialysis.

--Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: Coleman at the 2000 Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles. Credit: Getty Images

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Gary Coleman's show will go on in upstate New York

After a trip to the hospital Friday following an apparent seizure on the set of "The Insider" in L.A., Gary Coleman is headed back to work Saturday night -- in upstate New York.

The Ministry just got off the phone with Mark Rankin, general manager of the Temple Music Hall in Canandaigua, N.Y., who confirmed that the "Diff'rent Strokes" star will be flying into the Buffalo airport today in time for a 9 p.m. appearance at the club.

"He'll do a meet-and-greet, sign some autographs, maybe we'll have him dance up on the bar," Rankin said with a good-spirited laugh. "I grew up with the guy [on "Diff'rent Strokes"] -- you gotta love him."

The Temple, Rankin said, holds about 100 people and has a sort of New Orleans vibe, with red decor and concerts that include the likes of the L.A. Guns.

And Canandaigua? We here on the Left Coast should know: It's like a version of Lake Tahoe set in upstate New York, he said. Hey, we wouldn't mind that kind of vacation home. 

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Gary Coleman on NBC's "Today" show in New York in February 2008. Credit: Richard Drew / Associated Press.

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

Gary Coleman hospitalized after seizure on 'The Insider' set

Gary Coleman suffered an apparent seizure on the set of "The Insider" on Friday and was taken to a Los Angeles area hospital. Fellow panelist Dr. Drew Pinsky, who was sitting next to him at the time, administered care until paramedics arrived. (Note to self: If possible, always make sure Dr. Drew is nearby in case of emergency.)

It's not the only recent medical setback for the Utah-based actor, who in January suffered a seizure requiring hospitalization while he was in L.A. for a meeting regarding removing full-frontal nudity from a film in which he stars.

Coleman, who is 41, suffers from a congenital kidney disease and requires frequent dialysis, which he has said he prefers not to discuss. "The Insider" says it won't release footage of the incident, E! Online reports.

Coleman had appeared before on an "Insider" panel that aired Feb. 17, angrily defending himself against questions regarding his relationship with his wife and allegations of domestic violence. In that expletive-peppered appearance, Coleman stormed off the set.

First Lady Zsa Zsa Gabor? Her husband the prince is running for California governor

It was good enough to attract Arnold Schwarzenegger. Good enough to lure Gary Coleman. Good enough to tempt Arianna Huffington, Gallagher, Angelyne and porn/reality TV star Mary Carey.

Why shouldn't the jewel of a job that is the governorship of California be good enough to paste into socialite Prince Frederic von Anhalt's questionable crown? Instant celeb status -- just add an electorate!

Zsa Zsa Gabor's most recent husband, who in 2007 said he might have fathered a child with Anna Nicole Smith, officially threw his bright red campaign cap in the ring as an independent Wednesday, saying he was inspired to run by watching Schwarzenegger's mistakes. Last month he'd announced his gubernatorial aspirations and more recently expressed his intention, if elected, "to change and give up Hollywood -- and mingle with the people, not the stars."

Hollywood is, um, sure to miss him?

His website, which invokes the name of President Reagan, also offers this logic: "We've had Irish-American, African-American, Armenian-American and Austrian-American governors and now its time for a GERMAN-AMERICAN to lead the state." 

So where does he stand on some of the issues? On illegal immigration: Legalize it, tax it. Marijuana: Legalize, tax. Prostitution: Legalize, tax. Cuban cigars: Legalize, tax. (We're seeing a pattern here.)

Gary Coleman pleads guilty after declaring zero supply of (but apparent demand for?) nude photos of himself

Gary Coleman entered a guilty plea in a Utah court on Monday, his 42nd birthday, as part of a deal that knocked down an original charge of domestic violence/assault to a lesser domestic violence/criminal mischief count related to an incident last April.

By doing so, he may have avoided heading back to jail.

Judge Sharla Williams sentenced Coleman to 31.5 days, then suspended the sentence on the condition that the actor pay a $595 fine -- he'll do so in $50 monthly installments -- and take a course on avoiding domestic violence. 

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the "Diff'rent Strokes" star's attorney, Randy Kester, said Coleman and his wife had "had a little tiff at home, and no one was injured."

Coleman's appearance in court Monday was probably good news to fan Jarrod Clarke. Clarke is the guy who posted Coleman's $1,725 bail after the actor's Jan. 24 arrest on a warrant for failing to appear in court. 

Gary Coleman arrested on an outstanding warrant in Utah

Gary Coleman -- and we assume his penis as well -- was arrested Saturday night and remains behind bars today.

Police in Santaquin, Utah, outside Salt Lake City, were called to the former child actor's home on a report of a domestic disturbance, but no evidence of a crime was found; he was taken into custody, however, because of an outstanding failure-to-appear warrant from 2009.

All this after Coleman, less than two weeks ago, settled a personal-injury suit with a man who said Gary tried to run him over with his truck in a bowling-alley parking lot. And it's not the first time the police have been called to Gary's place -- his wife, Shannon Price, was taken in last year and charged with misdemeanor domestic violence and disorderly conduct.

PREACH IT! Gary Coleman penis story now officially a saga

This just in from the Department of Gary Coleman’s Penis: The penis has gained an unlikely new ally.

For those just joining us: The diminutive actor is threatening legal action against a production company. The company has produced a yet-to-be released documentary that includes a shot of Coleman’s What-You-Talkin’-'Bout. The flick, "Midgets vs. Mascots", really doesn’t have much to do with Coleman’s penis, but when the opportunity presented itself, the filmmakers made sure to capture the footage for all posterity.

Now comes word that basketball great Scottie Pippen is displeased with the filmmakers as well. He has released a statement -- funneled to us by, natch, Camp Coleman -- that indicates that the athlete also participated in the film, that he regrets that fact, and that some people of small stature may have it out for him.

The full statement follows:

PREACH IT! The penis stays in the picture

Poor Gary Coleman. He tries to break up a locker room fight on camera, he gets his private parts captured on film for the world to see.

Coleman then flies to Los Angeles to prevent the footage from airing, and he ends up in the hospital after an apparent seizure.

Now comes even more headaches for the onetime "Diff’rent Strokes" megastar: Less than a day after getting out of the hospital, Coleman has learned that the footage of his penis will be going public whether he likes it or not.

The Coleman movie in question is called "Midgets vs. Mascots," and it’s just that -- a documentary about little people like Coleman taking on mascots in a "Jackass"-style competition for a million-dollar prize.