Diff'rent Strokes 

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

2 wins & 31 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Conrad Bain	...	Philip Drummond 181 episodes, 1978-1986
Gary Coleman	...	Arnold Jackson 180 episodes, 1978-1986
Todd Bridges	...	Willis Jackson 172 episodes, 1978-1986
Dana Plato	...	Kimberly Drummond / ... 140 episodes, 1978-1986
Mary Jo Catlett	...	Pearl Gallagher 73 episodes, 1982-1986

Storyline

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' ...

---

Plot Keywords:

1970s | 1980s | famous opening theme | catch phrase | manhattan new york city | 

---

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 November 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

45 Minutes from Harlem

Filming Locations:

Metromedia Square - 5746 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tandem Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (189 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The building that was filmed in the 1st season opening credits is called Park 900 Condominiums , and located at the corner of Park Ave. and 79th St. in Manhattan. The reason it was only featured during the first season was because they never got permission from the building, let alone pay them. And there are no penthouses in the building, as it says on the show. Also in the show, they say that they live on the 30th floor, but the building actually has 28 floors.

---

Quotes

Willis Jackson: Mr. Drummond, it doesn't feel right getting money for not working.
Philip Drummond: Then you'll never work for the government.

---

Alternate Versions

Two hour-long episodes on the first season DVD are presented in their edited, two-part syndicated versions.

---

Connections

Spin-off The Facts of Life (1979)

---

Soundtracks

Diff'rent Strokes
(Theme Song)
Written by Alan Thicke, Al Burton and Gloria Loring
Performed by Alan Thicke

User Reviews

25th Anniversary--What You Talkin' About?

It's hard to believe, but 2003 marks 25 years since Gary Coleman asked Willis what he was talking about.

Norman Lear, who broke a lot of ground heretofore with All in the Family, Maude, The Jeffersons, and Good Times, continued his magic touch with Diff'rent Strokes. A 25th anniversary marathon on any given television station would be a great way to remember this show, notwithstanding that Miss Dana Plato is no longer of this earth.

This show made Gary Coleman Gary Coleman, and he truly made the show what it was.