The Tragic And Controversial Marriage Of Gary Coleman And Shannon Price: What Happened After Diff'rent Strokes?
The relationship between legendary child star Gary Coleman and his wife, Shannon Price, remains one of the most tumultuous and controversial celebrity pairings of the modern era. Their brief marriage was fraught with public arguments, legal troubles, and a bitter post-mortem battle over the actor's estate that continues to define his final years, even now in
The saga of Gary Coleman and Shannon Price is a complex tale of love, financial strain, and tragedy, culminating in the actor's untimely death in 2010. While their union was short-lived, the legal and public fallout—including a high-profile "Lie Detector" television special—has kept their story in the news, providing a continuous source of debate and curiosity for fans and legal experts alike.
The Complete Biography and Profile of Gary Coleman and Shannon Price
The lives of Gary Coleman and Shannon Price were drastically different before they met, yet their paths converged in a way that would forever link their names in pop culture history.
Gary Wayne Coleman (1968–2010)
- Full Name: Gary Wayne Coleman
- Born: February 8, 1968, in Zion, Illinois, U.S.
- Died: May 28, 2010, in Provo, Utah, at age 42.
- Cause of Death: Intracranial hemorrhage following a fall at his home.
- Career Highlight: Best known for his role as Arnold Jackson on the hit sitcom Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986), where he coined the famous line, "Whatcha talkin' 'bout, Willis?"
- Adult Life: Coleman struggled with health issues (a congenital kidney disease requiring two transplants) and financial difficulties, despite earning millions as a child star.
Shannon Price (Born c. 1985)
- Full Name: Shannon Price
- Born: Circa 1985 (she was 22 when she met Coleman in 2007).
- Birthplace: Van Nuys, a suburb of Los Angeles.
- Career: An aspiring actress and model whose career gained public exposure primarily through her association with Gary Coleman.
- Relationship Timeline: Met Coleman on the set of the film Church Ball in 2007. They married just five months later in August 2007.
The Tumultuous Marriage and Swift Divorce
Coleman and Price’s relationship began quickly, leading to a marriage that was as brief as it was dramatic. They met on the set of the 2007 comedy film Church Ball, where Price was an extra.
The couple married in August 2007 in a secret ceremony. Their union was immediately scrutinized by the media, especially due to the 17-year age difference and Coleman’s well-documented struggles.
Their tumultuous private life often spilled into the public eye. They appeared on the show Divorce Court, though the appearance was later revealed to be a publicity stunt. The couple was arrested on domestic violence charges in 2009, which were later dismissed.
Despite their attempts to hold the relationship together, the pair officially divorced in 2008, just one year after their wedding. However, the divorce did not end their relationship. They continued to live together in Utah until Coleman’s death in 2010, setting the stage for the massive legal battle that followed.
The Bitter Estate Battle and the Common-Law Marriage Claim
Gary Coleman’s death in May 2010, following a fall at his Utah home, ignited a complex and multi-year legal battle over his modest estate.
The core of the dispute was a battle between two women: Shannon Price and Coleman's former girlfriend and manager, Anna Gray.
Price asserted that even though they were legally divorced, she was still Coleman's common-law wife at the time of his death. She argued that they had agreed to be remarried and continued to live as husband and wife in Utah, which recognizes common-law marriage.
Anna Gray, on the other hand, presented a handwritten will from 2005, which named her as the sole beneficiary and executor of his estate.
The legal proceedings dragged on for years. Ultimately, a Utah court ruled against Shannon Price's common-law marriage claim. The court determined that the 2005 will, naming Anna Gray as the executor, was valid.
This ruling officially ended Price's attempt to inherit the estate of the late actor, concluding one of the most publicized celebrity estate battles in recent memory.
The Controversial Life Support Decision and Recent Public Statements
Perhaps the most emotionally charged aspect of the Coleman-Price saga centered on the decision to take the actor off life support. Coleman was placed in a medically-induced coma after his fall, and two days later, Price—as the person living with him—made the difficult decision to remove him from life support.
This decision drew immediate and intense public criticism. Many questioned her motives and her legal standing, given that they were divorced.
In a statement to Fox News Digital and during an appearance on A&E's special *Lie Detector: Truth or Deception*, Price defended her choice. She claimed she "had no choice" and that she made the "right decision" based on the medical advice and the severity of his condition.
The A&E special, which aired more recently, brought the controversy back into the spotlight. During the episode, Shannon Price took a polygraph test regarding the circumstances of Coleman's death. The results of the test were highly scrutinized, adding another layer of sensationalism to the already tragic story.
Price also claimed in the special that Coleman was briefly able to talk to her after the fall, a detail that further complicated the public narrative surrounding his final hours.
Despite the court ruling and the passage of time, Shannon Price has maintained her position that she and Gary Coleman were deeply in love and that she acted in his best interest. Her continued public defense of her actions—over a decade after his death—underscores the lasting impact of their complex and tragic relationship on both their lives and the public's perception of the former child star.
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