Former child star Coleman critically ill
Former child television star Gary Coleman is critically ill in hospital, it has emerged.
Janet Frank of Utah Valley Regional Medical Centre said Coleman, 42, was admitted to the Provo hospital on Wednesday.
Coleman lives in Santaquin, 55 miles south of Salt Lake City.
The actor is best known for his stint on TV’s 'Diff’rent Strokes', which was shown from 1978 to 1986.
In February, Coleman suffered a seizure on the set of 'The Insider'.
He has lived in Utah since 2005, when he came to star in the movie 'Church Ball', a comedy based on basketball leagues formed by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He met his wife, Shannon Price, on the film set and married her in 2007.
Coleman has had a string of financial and legal problems, in addition to continuing ill health from the kidney disease he suffered as a child. Coleman has had at least two kidney transplants and has continuing dialysis.
Last year Coleman had heart surgery that was complicated by pneumonia.
In February, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour criminal mischief charge related to an April 2009 domestic violence incident at his home.
Ms Price and her father released a statement to KUTV-TV today, saying Coleman was taken to the hospital with ``a serious medical problem''.
The statement asked for prayers, adding: “We hope those prayers are answered and that Gary will be able to recover and return home soon.”
