Gary Coleman in Critical Condition

Former child star, Gary Coleman, has been hospitalized in Utah for "a serious medical problem" and is said to be in critical condition. His family refused to give further details, because, as Coleman's lawyer told reporters, "Anything they could say would be premature." Rumor has it Gary Coleman suffered a head wound, possibly due to a fall.

Best known for his role on NBC's Diff'rent Strokes, Coleman moved to Utah in 2005 after starring in the Church of Latter-Day Saints movie, Church Ball. He met his wife, Shannon Price, on the set and the two were wed in 2007. The couple appeared on Divorce Court in 2008.

Gary Coleman has a history of violence and charges for the same. He recently made news when he was arrested for failure to appear in court on charges stemming from an April 2009 citation for domestic abuse. In 2007, the actor was cited for disorderly conduct after police witnessed him yelling at Price in a parking lot. Shannon Price was cited that same year for locking Coleman out of his own home and trashing it. In February of this year, Coleman appeared on the TV gossip magazine, The Insider, where he lost his cool on-camera after being pointedly asked about his relationship with his wife. He later suffered a seizure on the set and was aided by Dr. Drew Pinsky.

Coleman's troubles are not isolated to his relationship with his wife. Also in 2008, Gary Coleman was accused of hitting a pedestrian with his car after the fan took a picture of the actor without his permission. He was arrested for assault in the late 1990s for allegedly slugging a female fan who requested his autograph. In the late 1980s, Gary Coleman successfully sued his parents and former manager for $1.3 million, but his recent financial hardships have repeatedly made headlines.

Gary Coleman's diminished height is related to health issues with his kidneys from which he suffered as a child. He has had two kidney transplants and is still on dialysis. Last fall, he underwent heart surgery which was complicated by pneumonia. Gary Coleman is 42.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010