• Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop Rated MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
      What's on TV & StreamingWhat's on TV & StreamingTop Rated ShowsMost Popular ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
      What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
      OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersGolden GlobesEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
      Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
      Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
    For Industry Professionals
      AllTitlesTV EpisodesCelebsCompaniesKeywords
    • Advanced Search
    Watchlist
    Sign In
    Welcome to the new version of this page.
    Learn more
    Report an issue

    Diff'rent Strokes

    • TV Series
    • 1978–19861978–1986
    • TV-PGTV-PG
    IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    9.9K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,537
    247
    Episode guide
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Todd Bridges, Conrad Bain, Gary Coleman, and Dana Plato in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
    Trailer 1
    Trailer0:59
    4 Videos
    99+ Photos
    ComedyDramaFamily

    The misadventures of a wealthy Manhattan family who adopted the children of their late African American housekeeper from Harlem.The misadventures of a wealthy Manhattan family who adopted the children of their late African American housekeeper from Harlem.The misadventures of a wealthy Manhattan family who adopted the children of their late African American housekeeper from Harlem.The misadventures of a wealthy Manhattan family who adopted the children of their late African American housekeeper from Harlem.The misadventures of a wealthy Manhattan family who adopted the children of their late African American housekeeper from Harlem.

    • Creators
      • Jeff Harris
      • Bernie Kukoff
    • Stars
      • Gary Coleman
      • Todd Bridges
      • Conrad Bain
    Top credits
    • Creators
      • Jeff Harris
      • Bernie Kukoff
    • Stars
      • Gary Coleman
      • Todd Bridges
      • Conrad Bain
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 38User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Episodes181

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 32 nominations

    Videos4

    Diff'rent Strokes
    Trailer 0:59
    Diff'rent Strokes
    Diff'rent Strokes: Season 5
    Trailer 1:56
    Diff'rent Strokes: Season 5
    Diff'rent Strokes
    Trailer 0:52
    Diff'rent Strokes
    Season Three Opening Sequence
    Video 0:50
    Season Three Opening Sequence

    Photos358

    Gary Coleman in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
    Gary Coleman in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
    Gary Coleman in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
    Gary Coleman in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
    Gary Coleman and Charlotte Rae in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
    Janet Jackson in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
    Conrad Bain and Gary Coleman in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
    Milton Berle and Gary Coleman in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
    Gary Coleman in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
    Todd Bridges, Conrad Bain, Gary Coleman, and Charlotte Rae in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
    Todd Bridges and Gary Coleman in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
    Todd Bridges, Conrad Bain, and Gary Coleman in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gary Coleman
    Gary Coleman
    • Arnold Jacksonas Arnold Jackson
    181 episodes181 eps • 1978–1986
    Todd Bridges
    Todd Bridges
    • Willis Jacksonas Willis Jackson
    180 episodes180 eps • 1978–1986
    Conrad Bain
    Conrad Bain
    • Philip Drummondas Philip Drummond
    181 episodes181 eps • 1978–1986
    Dana Plato
    Dana Plato
    • Kimberly Drummondas Kimberly Drummond…
    144 episodes144 eps • 1978–1986
    Mary Jo Catlett
    Mary Jo Catlett
    • Pearl Gallagheras Pearl Gallagher
    82 episodes82 eps • 1982–1986
    Danny Cooksey
    Danny Cooksey
    • Sam McKinneyas Sam McKinney
    48 episodes48 eps • 1984–1986
    Shavar Ross
    Shavar Ross
    • Dudley Ramseyas Dudley Ramsey…
    43 episodes43 eps • 1980–1986
    Charlotte Rae
    Charlotte Rae
    • Edna Garrettas Edna Garrett
    37 episodes37 eps • 1978–1984
    Dixie Carter
    Dixie Carter
    • Maggie McKinneyas Maggie McKinney…
    33 episodes33 eps • 1984–1985
    Steven Mond
    Steven Mond
    • Robbie Jasonas Robbie Jason
    22 episodes22 eps • 1980–1985
    Nedra Volz
    Nedra Volz
    • Adelaide Brubakeras Adelaide Brubaker
    22 episodes22 eps • 1980–1984
    Mary Ann Mobley
    Mary Ann Mobley
    • Maggie McKinney Drummondas Maggie McKinney Drummond…
    19 episodes19 eps • 1980–1986
    Nikki Swasey Seaton
    Nikki Swasey Seaton
    • Lisa Hayesas Lisa Hayes
    14 episodes14 eps • 1982–1986
    Janet Jackson
    Janet Jackson
    • Charlene DuPreyas Charlene DuPrey
    10 episodes10 eps • 1980–1984
    Jason Hervey
    Jason Hervey
    • Charlieas Charlie
    9 episodes9 eps • 1985–1986
    Rosalind Chao
    Rosalind Chao
    • Miss Chungas Miss Chung…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1981–1983
    Dody Goodman
    Dody Goodman
    • Aunt Sophia Drummondas Aunt Sophia Drummond
    8 episodes8 eps • 1981–1984
    Bobby Herbeck
    Bobby Herbeck
    • The Waiteras The Waiter…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1979–1984
    • Creators
      • Jeff Harris
      • Bernie Kukoff
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    Phillip Drummond, a widowed Manhattan millionaire and president of the mega-firm Trans Allied Inc., adopts two African American orphans from Harlem, 8-year-old Arnold and 12-year-old Willis. Drummond had made a promise to their dying mother, his housekeeper, that he would care for the boys after she passes away; their father had died years earlier. The boys, whom Drummond always introduced as his two sons, went from rags to riches literally overnight. At first, Willis was rather skeptical of their newfound wealth, but eventually, both he and Arnold felt right at home in their newfound surroundings. Also part of the family were Drummond's beautiful daughter, 13-year-old Kimberly; and his no-nonsense housekeeper, Edna Garrett. As the years passed, Mrs. Garrett left to become housemother at the Eastland School for Girls; she was replaced by the cantankerous Adelaide Brubaker and still later, charming Pearl Gallagher. Arnold's friends, Dudley and Robbie (and later, Charlie); Willis' girlfriend, Charlene; cast members from "The Facts of Life"; and Drummond's sister, Sophia, were frequently seen. In early 1984, Drummond found true love, marrying fitness instructor Maggie McKinney; she had a 6-year-old son, Sam. While most series revolved around the typical lessons of growing up, some were quite serious (including a frightening encounter with a child molester and a memorable episode dealing with drug abuse guest starring First Lady Nancy Reagan). —Brian Rathjen <briguy_52732@yahoo.com>
    1970s1980sfamous opening themecatch phrasemanhattan new york city37 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Can the funniest, most opinionated nine year old south of Harlem find happiness as the adopted son of a suave, lily-white Park Avenue millionaire? (season 1)
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Family
    • Certificate
      • TV-PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Alan Thicke, who played Dr. Jason Seaver, the patriarch on the sitcom "Growing Pains (1985)," wrote and performed the series' memorable theme song.
    • Quotes

      [Willis has just learned his close friend has died in an auto accident]

      Willis Jackson: Oh no...

      [pause]

      Willis Jackson: [crying] Oh no...

      [Willis hangs up the phone and cries]

      Willis Jackson: Look at me. Crying just like a kid.

      Philip Drummond: No. Crying just like a man.

    • Alternate versions
      Two hour-long episodes on the first season DVD are presented in their edited, two-part syndicated versions.
    • Connections
      Edited into Tupac: Resurrection (2003)

    User reviews38

    Review
    Top review
    One of the best older shows.
    Since I wasn't around when the show originally aired, I have to catch it whenever I can on Nick at Nite or TV Land. And since TV Land just showed a 48 hour fandemonium marathon, I was able to catch a lot of episodes.

    I absolutely love this show. The plot approach is different which works out great. The writing and quick comedy is terrific and the acting is one of a kind. The writing that was given to Gary Coleman was unbelievably hysterical, and being such a young kid at that time, he handled it so well. While I like the entire cast and think that they all did a nice job, I must say that I especially like Todd Bridges. I don't know, there's just something about him that you can't help but like.

    This show like all shows has its moments where the plots could use some improvement but what show would it be if it didn't have its moments? Overall, the eight seasons are filled with the better episodes.

    'Diff'rent Strokes' scared me a little during the seventh and eighth seasons when they hauled in Danny Cooksey and Dixie Carter/Mary Ann Mobley to join the Drummonds. I think that it would have been better off leaving the family as it was. Then again, the boys were getting older, they lost their afros, and Kimberly started to move on. So, it's kind of a tricky situation.

    I would really like to see a reunion but it would be a little hard without the sadly missed Dana Plato. All in all, this show was an above average, very funny, good family get-together show. I know I'll keep watching whenever it's on!

    (P.S. - The theme song is really addicting.)
    helpful•10
    5
    • llihilloh
    • Oct 28, 2001

    FAQ2

    • When did Arnold and Willis' parents die?
    • Willis had trouble remembering events from what year?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 3, 1978 (United States)
    • Also known as
      • 45 Minutes from Harlem
    • Filming locations
      • Metromedia Square - 5746 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Tandem Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 30min

    Related news

    Best Animated Shows to Stream on Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Paramount+
    Best Animated Shows to Stream on Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Paramount+
    Mar 11Indiewire
    ‘Growing Up On-Screen’: From Jodie Foster to Judy Garland, TCM Examines the Legacy of Child Stars
    ‘Growing Up On-Screen’: From Jodie Foster to Judy Garland, TCM Examines the Legacy of Child Stars
    Mar 9Indiewire

    Contribute to this page

    Edit page
    Add episode
    • Getting started
    • Contributor Zone

    More to explore

    View image
    Photos
    LGBTQ+ Power Couples
    See the list
    Image caption not available
    3:19
    What to Watch With the Family This Summer
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    You have no recently viewed pages
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2021 by IMDb.com, Inc.