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' ...

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Plot Keywords:

maid | widower | millionaire | african american | father daughter relationship | 

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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)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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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

Todd Bridges has credited Nancy Reagan's appearance on the show, speaking out about the destructiveness of drug abuse, as part of what helped him stop his own addiction to drugs later in life.

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Quotes

Jethro Simpson: Whatchoo talkin' bout, Arnold?

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Alternate Versions

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

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Connections

Referenced in Sandy Wexler (2017)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Different Strokes still moving the world

I have just finished watching season two of Different Strokes and it is still as priceless as when I used to watch it as a kid.The actors where great from Conrad Bain(Mr.Drummond) to pint-size Gary Coleman(Arnold Jackson). I look at shows today and notice every time they try to used the child element, they usually get a kid that is cute but can not act and hope his cuteness will carry him over.I see this every week in a show call All of Us. This is what made Different Strokes so special. You had a young kid who was cute and who could read his lines flawlessly. The premise was a great concept. Have to orphans from Harlem being adopted my a millionaire. It was great to watch how they tried to conform to there newfound wealth without giving up there street element. I just can not wait for the rest of the episodes to be release on DVD.