magazine "Girlfriends." to five years probation. Volz, born in Montrose, Iowa, on June 18, 1908, first hit the stage as a toddler. with the ending varying depending on whom he was addressing. Gary Coleman died of a brain hemorrhage on May 28, 2010. Coleman also played himself in the 2001 Scooby-Doo parody, Night of the Living Doo, produced by the Cartoon Network. While working on "Diff'rent Strokes," Bridges and Dana Plato began to experiment with drugs. in the Canadian army during World War II, then resumed his training at New York's American Appeared in an episode Danny Cooksey joined the cast of "Diff'rent Strokes" in the show's sixth season. with a production of "Ain't Misbehavin", teaching private voice in New left the air in 1986. I have continued working in the field of music, theatre and as a teacher into. director of promotions for HoloWorld Cafe (a restaurant with laser-tag and Small Claims Court (11/19/80 - #305) . and his former manager for mishandling his funds in 1989 and was awarded 1.3 million The reason for this, in part, was that it was in Rae's contract that she be allowed to return to Diff'rent Strokes should The Facts of Life be canceled. herself. she was arrested for the armed robbery of a Las Vegas video store (which she used Elsewhere, Murder, She Wrote, Thunder in Paradise, Sisters, Diagnosis: Murder, Strong Medicine, ER, Life and Pretty Little Liars. The drugs used to treat Coleman stunted his growth. Two years later, Ross became a voice actor for Hanna-Barbera and voiced Our Gang kid Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas from the animated TV series version of The Little Rascals. do get evidence that Robert is guilty by criminal negligence or actual participation, and "Superbad." The driver ridiculed him and released the tape to be broadcast on numerous television shows. An oft-mentioned character spanning the entire show's run, was "The Gooch", a notorious bully at Arnold's school. He married Dori Smith (pictured above) on March 25, 1998. The show had Robert Guillaume (who played Benson) and had people working at a station either a train or radio and was on Sundays. They are expecting their first child on March 22, 2012. Gary Coleman He died at 12:05 pm MDT (18:05 UTC) on May 28 at the age of 42. movies Poetic Justice in 1993 and opposite Eddie Murphy in Nutty Professor II: Klumps which be released July 28th, " the press blew it out of all proportion. Diff'rent Strokes (TV Series 1978-1986) - IMDb When Coleman gained access to his earnings at 18, he discovered a sum of $220,000 in the trust. [17][18] He also guest-starred as himself on The Wayans Bros., The Ben Stiller Show, Drake & Josh, The Jamie Foxx Show, The Parkers, Robot Chicken, and The Simpsons. The Facts of Life main cast included Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Mindy Cohn and Nancy McKeon (1980-1988). As documented in his memoir,"Killing Willis: From Diff'rent Strokes to the Mean Streets to the Life I Always Wanted," Bridges' life offscreen was far from ideal. Born February 8, 1968, in Zion, Illinois, Coleman was adopted as an infant. the other cast members worked, and after Todd Bridges appeared, was encouraged by Vanilla Ice to say "What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" Diff'rent Strokes - Season 6 Episode 12. As a result magazine "Girlfriends." "That was the beginning of my sobriety.". promoting his Christian religious beliefs. I had to get to sleep so I could get up for the kids and do the TV show Monday-Friday. As detailed by Oprah, Bridges avoided returning to jail by entering a year-long rehabilitation program. Cited for parole violation, she served 30 days Eventually, he was forced to file bankruptcy. She's worked on films like "The 40 Year Old Virgin" On May 7, 1999, Plato gave what would be her final interview to infamous radio shock jock Howard Stern. Also first appearing in the second season was Arnold's best friend Dudley Johnson (Shavar Ross), first seen in the episode "Teacher's Pet". Updated Mach 2012: Nikki is still working as an Assistant Director. He appeared on others). called Night Trap as a scantily clad victim. In 1995, she was in a play called "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" where she received passing grades. "It's painful," Bain revealed. and give me an update. child, including appearances for KFC, Arco and Dole bananas. to be a professional advantage when he began appearing in Chicago-area TV commercials; even (Dana did grab a Catlett joined the main cast, appeared in almost every episode until the end of the show's run, and was billed on the opening credits from the sixth season onward. They planned to be married in Spring 2001. Mr. Bain was 89. She did a Shavar Ross played Arnold's best friend Dudley on Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Shavar Ross was born March 4, 1971 in the South Bronxm New York. In 2017, she was diagnosed with bone cancer. Le Tari, who played Dudley's father Ted Ramsey, was Rae received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the role in 1982. Since January 1996, he has been active I enjoyed working behind the scenes. As one of the most in-demand child stars of the 1980s, Gary Coleman's salary was more than double that of his "Diff'rent Strokes" co-stars. Elsewhere, Punky Brewster, One Life to Live, Crazy Like a Fox, Bustin' Loose, run, which lasted from 1978 to 1986. fame in show business until her 60s. September 2nd, 1938 in Denver, Colorado. Buy Killing Willis: From Diff'rent Strokes to the Mean Streets to the Life I Always Wanted, Dana Plato The second housekeeper, Adelaide Brubaker, was played by Nedra Volz. My next job was as stage production assistant on 'Living Single'. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Coleman was a candidate for governor in the 2003 California recall election. Mary Dixie was named after Dixie's Aunt Mary and By this time while still pulling in reasonable viewing figures, ratings were beginning to fall, so producers decided to add several new characters to the cast to freshen the series up and open up future storylines. Addicted to crack cocaine and methamphetamines and unable to find work, he turned to dealing drugs to support his habit, as per Oprah. custody of Tyler. She was 70. What is the Spanish language plot outline for Diff'rent Strokes (1978)? Watson on July 20th, 1968 in South Laguna, California. I spoke up and told my parents. And if you want to know anything In the season, Bridges continued as a main cast member, but was absent in several episodes. I was basically an [19], In 1989 three years after the series ended, Coleman sued his parents and his former manager over misappropriation of his trust fund. Roberto and Eddie are teenage bullies and extortionists and the main antagonists in the 2-part episode "Crime Story (aka Crime in the Schools) " of the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes. Sadly, Tari died young of a heart attack in Los Angeles County on April 4, 1986, less than three weeks before his 41st birthday. He was casting a new sitcom for NBC which was to become were able to re-unite for lunch after contacting each other via this site). cartoon series The Gary Coleman Show (1983), with After the man's true nature became known, Arnold escaped to look for help and the man nearly raped Kimberly before the police arrived to arrest him. Rae appeared in every first season episode and part of the second season before she left for the spin-off series The Facts of Life. If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Charlotte Rae made her television debut in a 1954 episode of The United States Steel Hour. Willis Jackson: Look at me. Women on the Moon (1987), and Hollywood Shuffle (1987) and She has appeared in numerous movies and tv series. Grammy-Award winning singer Al Jarreau and many others marked his feature film directorial debut. Norman Lear sitcom Maude (1974-78). She made her film debut in 1973 in Your Minutes Are Up as the "Free Press Lady" and went on to appear in more than in 1985-1986. He has appeared in several tv movies and theatrical movies such as Back to character. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, 227, Baby Talk, Can't Hurry Love (which starred Nancy McKeon), The King of Queens and Girl Meets World. I love them all.". refused to let her appear in such a film. She was afflicted with osteogenesis imperfecta, a disease in which a person's He managed the restaurant at which the other cast members worked. The disease claimed her life in 2014. Coleman secretly wed his girlfriend of five months, Shannon Price, 22, on August 28, 2007. Although the court awarded Coleman a $1.3 million judgment, legal costs and mounting medical expenses left him virtually penniless. (1994). Remember Dudley from 'Diff'rent Strokes'? He's 47 and shares photo with He was in the first episode of Shasta McNasty (Shasta) in September 1999 Bain especially made a positive impression on Todd Bridges. [24] In 1998, she appeared in a softcore pornographic film entitled Different Strokes: The Story of Jack and Jilland Jill, which was intended to capitalize on her Diff'rent Strokes fame. But Plato and her character were well received by audiences, and the producers became convinced that her inclusion added an extra element of appeal to the audience, offering a female character for young girls and women to identify with. for me anymore. Cited for parole violation, she served 30 days Other notable episodes included season 8's "Bulimia," in which the family discovered that Kimberly was suffering from bulimia. More Coleman was also featured prominently in the 2005 expansion pack to Postal, Apocalypse Weekend. Her ill-conceived grab for rent money (it was really a cry for help according to many people) sent her to jail He appeared in the following movies: Brotherhood of Death (1976), He made an appearance on Vibe (a talk show hosted by Sinbad) along with Todd Bridges and Dana Plato on November 6th, 1997. furniture packs spain murcia. York-based films as Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) and Woody Allen's Bananas (1973). Tucson, AZ. An instinctive comic performer and extremely quick study, In 2004, Coleman appeared on the second season of The Surreal Life and was pressured to quote his famous catchphrase by Vanilla Ice. from the Edge. He appeared in Norm Her birth He will be missed, but never forgotten. After graduating high school, she attended Northwestern University where she studied drama, dance, and voice. As they leave the living room each reveal their guess as to who was the "Meathook Murderer", all guessing their counterparts. By the time 13-year-old Todd Bridges took the role of Willis Jackson on "Diff'rent Strokes," he was already a seasoned actor. fame often has its own pitfalls. Crying just like a kid. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Lunchtime Specials (directed by Soleil-Moon Frye/Punky Brewster). The series lasted six seasons on NBC and two on ABC. In the show's heyday, Bain didn't mind being overshadowed by the focus on the show's children. Following Rae's departure midway through the second season, Nedra Volz took over as the housekeeper, the older and crankier Adelaide Brubaker, introduced in the episode "The Election". Southern California couple (adopted by Dean and Florine 'Kay' Plato in June 1965) who soon (2005) - S10E04 Blonde Ambition, Never Have I Ever (2020) - S01E05 started a nuclear war. On April 10, 2010, Carter died in Houston, Texas, of complications from endometrial cancer, as per ABC News. [20] In 2007, Coleman was cited for disorderly conduct in Provo, Utah, for having a "heated discussion" with a woman. Murder She Wrote, Here and Now, and Boston Common. In 2001, Martine e-mailed me with some information and an update: "I want 2 introduce myself. So while Linda Blair went on to huge stardom, Dana She posed for a June 1989 pictorial in Playboy (a 5-page nude As detailed in a 2009 Biography documentary, Coleman was a wisecracking, cherubic 8-year-old when he was spotted by writer/producer Norman Lear in a Chicago-area TV commercial in 1976. of 1988 and her husband reportedly left her the same week. (she had said in more recent interviews that she was not They realize they don't like the effects of cigarettes, but the real persuasion to have them kick the habit comes from Arnold and Dudley give into peer pressure and experiment with smoking. This campaign was sponsored by the free newsweekly the East Bay Express as a satirical comment on the recall. Overview: Arnold and Dudley succumb to peer pressure and ignore warnings against cigarette smoking, only to have the harsh realities brought to light by Dudley's father, a chronic smoker. Medical investigators ruled the death a suicide, as per AP. In November 2015, she released her autobiography, The Facts of My Life, which was co-written with her son, Larry Strauss. As with Bridges, Rae was offered the role without audition, but was locked into a contract with CBS; however, Lear was determined to have Rae for the role and used his influence to convince CBS to release her from her contract, freeing her up to be available for the role. "Diff'rent Strokes," and Dana landed the part of Kimberly. a pellet gun and netted her $164) - she was charged with armed robbery and was later sentenced He didn't get the part but "Cold Turkey" director Norman Lear remembered him when he created "Maude. With much of the show's comedy arising from brothers Arnold and Willis Jackson, played by Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges, and their struggles to adapt to their new lives, "Diff'rent Strokes" touched a nerve with audiences who made the show a runaway hit that reversed the flagging fortunes of NBC. Legal Statement. young woman, but her acting career could never escape the long shadows cast by her sitcom Shavar Malik Ross is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, film producer, editor, photographer, author, and retail entrepreneur. She performed some of the lyrics for the first season theme song. It's located at 7403 Beverly Blvd. In addition, he did a guest shot as Mr. Drummond on a May 20, 1996 episode I went to college for a year, but found it wasn't for me. Sadly, he would outlive two of his young co-stars and see a third descend into a life plagued with drug abuse and brushes with the law. Additionally, Arnold appeared on the Silver Spoons episode "The Great Computer Caper" and the Amazing Stories episode "Remote Control Man". Puff" on the cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants. [43], The series had graded its audio tracks to AAC 2 Channels. Menu Trending Most notably: Joy Luck Club (1993), Deception (1990), and Star Trek: Deep "I had just finished a month on a movie called 'Three on a Couch' when I came back to Los Angeles from location, I was not feeling well." She will live on in our hearts forever, and will be sorely missed. where I got my start.". Beginning with the third-season episode "Count Your Blessings" and also touched upon in several other episodes is the fact that Arnold will never grow much taller, reflecting Gary Coleman's real-life medical condition. In the seventh season, Carter and Cooksey were added to the opening credits (with Carter getting special "and" billing, last in the order) and many new areas and ideas were explored, as viewers now got to see Philip as a happily married man. leader on the TV series 227, but his short stature and ever-diminishing acting range made him and shattering lows. She also had a long career as a stage actress. She returned for The Facts of Life Reunion television movie, which aired on ABC on November 18, 2001. However, behind the scenes, the cast of "Diff'rent Strokes" found that life rarely offered the easy answers and happy endings of a sitcom. She was in a 1999 episode of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch as herself. sending me out on enough auditions and went with Gary Coleman's manager. In 1995, she was in a play called "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" where she received passing grades. At the end of the episode, Bain (in an out-of-character PSA) spoke about what to do if real life situations as the one portrayed on the show were to occur. She married actor Gary Collins in 1967. More recently, he is trying to get on with his life and start over. This last project was spun off into the Saturday-morning Daughter Chelsea Lynn Ross was born February 26, 2005. Fortunately, Warner Bros. Studios had a spot open Within a year of Diff'rent Strokes' debut, Gary Ginna was born May 17, 1969. Some of her guest appearances in 1970s sitcoms included Temperatures Rising, The Partridge Family, The Paul Lynde Show, All in the Family, Good Times, Phyllis, Barney Miller, All's Fair, C.P.O. She has worked in television on the "Just Jordan" and "So Random" kids show. He has been married to Angel Hart since 1998 and has 2 children. This is a one disc compilation consisting of eight episodes from Season 2. Whatchoo Talkin' 'Bout, Shout! Additionally, in 1996, after completing four years of Bible School at The Ministry Training Institute, an auxiliary of Crenshaw Christian Center, Ross founded The Alive Church, a non-denominational Christian church in Los Angeles, and was its pastor for four years. Dogs), and she's done a lot of public TV spots for another organization that trains assistance dogs. He ends the commercial by saying, "Pay your bills on time and everyone will love you." Mr. Drummond Is Excited About Halley's Comet | Diff'rent Strokes "Conrad was the sweetest man in the world. If you are still out there, please drop me an e-mail She was featured in a video game in 1992 Rae next starred as Edna Garrett in Diff'rent Strokes, which premiered on NBC on November 3, 1978. she was arrested for the armed robbery of a Las Vegas video store (which she used at the age of 9, he could still pass as a precocious five-year-old. Some of her early television guest appearances included Armstrong Circle Theatre, NBC Television Opera Theatre, Appointment with Adventure, The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse, The DuPont Show of the Month, The Phil Silvers Show, Play of the Week, Way Out and From These Roots. The following day, Plato and her fianc,Robert Menchaca, traveled in their motorhome to Moore, Oklahoma, to visit Menchaca's family. layout, the shots were taken in November 1988 in Arizona), showing off the delectable figure that she'd kept hidden for all those years. Dana and Lanny would divorce Arizona and worked at Tucson Hobby Shop because he is/was an active model railroader. sterling gems as 1992's "Bikini Beach Race" and 1995's "Compelling Evidence." Bain had recently finished a six-year run co-starring as Dr. Arthur Harmon on the hugely successful Maude. School, Back to the Future, and Pee-Wee's Big Picture. This same episode introduces wheelchair-aided Melanie Watson, born with osteogenesis imperfecta, as Kathy Gordon, who continued to guest-star one episode per season until Season 6. On May 26, 2010, Coleman was admitted to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah in critical condition after falling down the stairs at his home in Santaquin and hitting his head, possibly after another seizure, and suffering an epidural hematoma. People said Todd had trouble with drugs, he never had trouble with drugs. York City and as a music consultant for New York City Board of Education The third and fourth seasons had some of the show's highest ratings[citation needed] and continued much of the themes of the first two seasons, but also gradually saw the introduction of some more serious topics into storylines. Movies. Dana's fortunes began to turn when she was spotted by a producer during a brief appearance Dana Plato, who played his daughter Kimberly, died in 1999 of a drug overdose. Adopted as an infant, his father worked Southern California couple (adopted by Dean and Florine 'Kay' Plato in June 1965) who soon It was said that she had left to star in her own series, Designing Women, but she and Coleman had often clashed, leading to tension and animosity on set. RIP Gary. Internet Movie Database entry for Charlotte Rae, Dana Michele Plato was born in Maywood, California on November 7, 1964. This terrible situation actually happened to me personally in real life," Ross explains "Tonight, On a Very Special Episode,"by Lee Gambin. In 1984, she married the father of her child, musician Lanny Lambert, but the couple divorced in 1990. After a performance, she has an epileptic seizure and Sam thinks she's dying. Note: The last time I heard from Steve was in 2000. stardom. for a pharmaceutical firm and his mother was a nurse. As Sam, the son of Maggie McKinney, a new love interest and later wife of Phillip Drummond played by Dixie Carter, Danny was introduced to reverse the show's declining ratings. It leaves you with such a helpless feeling. He was an amazing father.". Several past characters attended the wedding ceremony, including Aunt Sophia, Adelaide, and Mrs. Garrett. She was 70. Rae was also known for her voice work. others. (she had said in more recent interviews that she was not a pellet gun and netted her $164) - she was charged with armed robbery and was later sentenced Both marriages ended in divorce. Rae appeared in every first season episode and part of the second season before she left for the spin-off series The Facts of Life. They realize they don't like the effects of cigarettes, but the real persuasion to have them kick the habit comes from someone very close to home from Dudley - his father, whom despite having had a lung operation, is still a chronic smoker. In 1979, while visiting his father in California during his school's Christmas vacation, Shavar was discovered by top children's agent Evelyn Shultz. He was supposed to have a series sometime in 1992 after he did a guest figure and lust for her fellow femmes in a series of sensual scenes. With Bain himself having considerable input into the options available and directions they took, producers considered a number of settings and formats, including one in which Bain was a gumshoe, with Coleman as his young associate-cum-informant. The book was the first opportunity for Charlotte fans to explore the fascinating story of her extraordinary life: poignant and hilarious, a story of courage and triumph, one that speaks for a generation of women breaking barriers, taking on challenges, overcoming personal tragedy, and paving the way for others. Volz appeared on a semi-regular basis, but was not added to the opening credits, instead always credited with the guest cast on the closing credits. By the time the program was cancelled, Dana had blossomed into a striking "I really didn't want to do the show," Jackson writes. " MyNetworkTV's new show, Decision House with his wife, Dori Bridges on the episode titled, 'Burned Bridges' aired on November 14th, 2007. 2.2K views, 11 likes, 2 loves, 1 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Diff'rent Strokes: Mr. Drummond (Conrad Bain) has arranged for the whole family to see Halley's Comet together.. In January 2007, he appeared as a member of the "mob" on the US version of the game show 1 vs. 100. Coleman has also appeared in a clip of Robot Chicken. During 2006 and 2007, Coleman appeared in commercials for a cash-advance loan company called CashCall. Featuring Conrad Bain, then best known for his role as Dr. Arthur Harmon on Lear's "Maude," as per Biography, as white millionaire widower Phillip Drummond who adopts two inner city kids from Harlem, "Diff'rent Strokes" tackled the touchy subjects of race and class with sensitivity and humor. sterling gems as 1992's "Bikini Beach Race" and 1995's "Compelling Evidence." The '70s and '80s show propelled him to greater heights in the entertainment industry. Scott Singer of the Moore (Oklahoma) Police Dept., "At this point, He has worked as a security guard, a job he is trained Diff'rent Strokes: Episode Guide - Sitcoms Online Pearl thinks it was the housekeeper, Willis believes it was the teenage son, and though Kimberly's line gets faded out, it's safe to assume she suggests a character similar to her. At birth, he was diagnosed with a number of serious maladies, most notably focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a congenital autoimmune condition that damages the kidneys. Occasionally he'd play a "stunt" part like a villainous gang She turned plenty of heads with her scintillating Philip Drummond: No. the project fell through, ABC chief executive Fred Silverman was enchanted by the talented He As Penny Gordon, Jackson displayed a depth of emotion and range far beyond her years. She was married to Robert Bernhardt on January 8, 1994 and they divorced on July 26, 1996. has starred in over 100 film and episodic television projects throughout his career, including such films as the fifth installment of the Friday the 13th movie Hype in 1995. Ten-year-old Coleman, meanwhile, had caught producers' attention after appearing in a number of commercials and TV guest roles, and the previous year had starred in three pilot episodes by Lear that attempted to revive the Little Rascals film series of the 1920-40s. found the going decidedly rough. Sharkey and Szysznyk. information: Melanie worked in Oceanside, California as the executive director of a nonprofit Sadly, in August of 2007, the organization came to an end. Diff'rent Strokes (Theme Song) Written by Alan Thicke, Al Burton and Gloria Loring Performed by Alan Thicke Details Release date December 17, 1980 (United States) Country of origin United States Language English Filming locations Metromedia Square - 5746 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA Production company Tandem Productions According to a hospital spokesman, Coleman was "conscious and lucid" the next morning, but his condition subsequently worsened. According to Sgt. In November 2015, she released her autobiography, The Facts of My Life, which was co-written with her son, Larry Strauss. She will live on in our hearts forever, and will be sorely missed. to do next, I took part-time jobs in retail during my later high school Appearing on shows ranging from "The Love Boat" to "Magnum P.I.," Ross was a ubiquitous presence as a supporting actor and guest star. Easily move forward or backward to get to the perfect clip. rockwell commander 112 interior. born April 21st, 1946 in Ohio. young woman, but her acting career could never escape the long shadows cast by her sitcom Rae eventually made it to Broadway where, in 1956, she landed the role of Mammy Yokum in "Li'l Abner." "I cared about him deeply when he got into difficulty," Bain said. When the laugh track stopped, he had to scrounge for work. Shavar is founder and CEO of Tri-Seven Entertainment, Inc., a film, television and online retail company which produces, develops, acquires and distributes inspirational products for a global audience. IMDB / Gary Coleman Photos. video games) in Pasadena, California. Nedra Volz The episode "Almost American" (aka "Night School"), was the pilot for a potential spin-off series, which ultimately was not picked up for a full series. In season 7's "A Special Friend," Arnold and Sam met Karen, a street performer. Most of that money was supposed to go into a trust fund set up by Coleman's parents in 1980. His second short film, A Taste of Us (2004), dealt with the civil unrest of the 1960s segregation in the south and was originally made as a pilot presentation for the TV One Network. In April 1984, she married Lanny and on July 2nd, 1984 (Living Single, Wayan's Brothers, Sunset Beach, Hype, The Berne Mac Show, He recently Years. Bridges Making ends meet as a security guard, Coleman often let his anger get the best of him with sadly public consequences. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). In 1978, Coleman Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. finished a movie with Todd Bridges. from Salt Lake City. Dixie Carter and Danny Cooksey portrayed recently divorced television aerobics instructor Margaret "Maggie" McKinney and her son Sam. He died April 4th, 1987 at the age of 40 of a heart attack in Los Angeles County, California. He also appeared in season 2 of the television show Benson, episode 11 "Big Buddy" and episode 17 "Easy Kid Stuff". She remained with the show until its cancellation at NBC. At the suggestion of a friend she attended her first AA meeting after a "Sesame Street" wrap party. I am a native New Yorker and Other classmates and friends of Arnold seen over time included Robbie Jason ( Steven Mond) and snobby Lisa Hayes (Nikki Swasey), who initially was sweet on Arnold, but later came to despise him, leading to hatred between the pair and many squabbles.