Top-Rated Episodes
S5.E17
Drummond and Mr. Ramsey learn the truth about Mr. Horton, the seemingly friendly bicycle shop owner with a very sinister side. It soon becomes a race against time to get details out of Arnold after ...
S3.E1
Arnold and Willis become hostages during a bank robbery by two experienced criminals.
S5.E16
Arnold and Dudley become friends with the owner of a local bicycle shop named Henry, unaware that he is a pedophile looking for his next victim.
From open-world games to first-person shooters, check out which video games IMDb users are excited about in IMDb's Video Game Guide.
Related News
-
'Diff'rent Strokes' Star Todd Bridges Ko'd While Keeping Peace in Neighbor Dispute
26 November 2018 | TMZ -
Charlotte Rae Died of Cardiac Arrest According to Death Certificate
13 August 2018 | TMZ -
Todd Bridges on Death of 'Diff'rent Strokes' Co-Star Charlotte Rae: "I'm the Last One Left"
07 August 2018 | The Hollywood Reporter
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
2 wins & 31 nominations.
See more awards »
Learn more
More Like This
Family Ties
(1982–1989)
Comedy
|
Family
Stars:
Michael J. Fox,
Michael Gross,
Meredith Baxter
Punky Brewster
(1984–1988)
Family
|
Comedy
Stars:
Soleil Moon Frye,
George Gaynes,
Cherie Johnson
Mork & Mindy
(1978–1982)
Comedy
|
Family
|
Sci-Fi
Stars:
Robin Williams,
Pam Dawber,
Ralph James
Laverne & Shirley
(1976–1983)
Comedy
|
Family
Stars:
Penny Marshall,
Cindy Williams,
David L. Lander
The Brady Bunch
(1969–1974)
Comedy
|
Family
Stars:
Robert Reed,
Florence Henderson,
Ann B. Davis
I Dream of Jeannie
(1965–1970)
Comedy
|
Family
|
Fantasy
Stars:
Barbara Eden,
Larry Hagman,
Bill Daily
Edit
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 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (24) »
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' ... Written by Brian Rathjen <briguy_52732@yahoo.com>
Plot Keywords:
maid | widower | millionaire | african american | father daughter relationship |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)Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
3 November 1978 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
45 Minutes from Harlem See more »Filming Locations:
Metromedia Square - 5746 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (189 episodes)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
Edit
Arnold Jackson: I'm studying.
Philip Drummond: Superman is studying?
Arnold Jackson: I'm too young for Wonderwoman.
See more »
(Theme Song)
Written by Alan Thicke, Al Burton and Gloria Loring
Performed by Alan Thicke
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The show's title derives from the popular expression "Different strokes for different folks." See more »Quotes
Philip Drummond: Why are you still in bed, Arnold?Arnold Jackson: I'm studying.
Philip Drummond: Superman is studying?
Arnold Jackson: I'm too young for Wonderwoman.
See more »
Alternate Versions
Two hour-long episodes on the first season DVD are presented in their edited, two-part syndicated versions. See more »Soundtracks
Diff'rent Strokes(Theme Song)
Written by Alan Thicke, Al Burton and Gloria Loring
Performed by Alan Thicke
See more »
Contribute to This Page
Explore popular action and adventure titles available to stream with Prime Video.
Watching the true Hollywood story on E! about the cast of Different Strokes was heartbreaking, after all, two of the three cast members had substance abuse problems and the star, Gary Coleman, had problems with his parents that he sued them. It's sad to watch the show, I wish I didn't know Dana Plato's problems because now I see how much she wanted her life to be like Kimberly Drummond. Conrad Bain was great as the father figure of the show. Of course, he was supposed to only be acting but I think he became a paternal figure to those youngsters. We went Mrs. Edna Garrett played by the wonderful Charlotte Rae who got her own show without all the drama of Different Strokes. She escaped it. I never approved of them dissing Dixie Carter for Mary Ann Mobley. I like them both in the role as the second Mrs. Drummond. Of course, there was the guest appearances of First Lady Nancy Reagan preaching against drugs. How little did we know the truth? Gary Coleman never escaped the image of the chubby cute kid on Different Strokes. Dana Plato who is gone to a better place never did get to experience the life of Kimberly Drummond except when she was on the set. I only wish Todd and Gary best for their future. I only wished that the off-screen drama was cut down for their sakes. I feel guilty getting laughs knowing that they went home and cried or faced abuse.