Police cite actor Coleman with disorderly conduct

PROVO — A misdemeanor citation for disorderly conduct? What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis? But the famous line from an old hit television show didn't spare actor Gary Coleman when he ran afoul of the law in Provo.

Friday night, Coleman received a misdemeanor citation compliments of Provo city police for disorderly conduct, said Capt. Cliff Argyle of the Provo Police Department.

Coleman, 39, and a female friend were alledgedly having a heated relationship discussion Friday at about 7 p.m. at 1067 N. 500 West when two people passed the couple. They told police the 4-foot, 8-inch actor's temper was quickly rising, Argyle said.

"He raised (his) voice, moved around the inside of his vehicle, hit his arms on the steering wheel while speaking to his female friend," Argyle said the witnesses told police.

The passers-by were concerned enough about Coleman's actions to contact police, Argyle said. When officers arrived on the scene, Coleman calmed down.

"Mr. Coleman was very cooperative with the police officers when we dealt with him," Argyle said.

Police officers issued him a misdemeanor citation.

Coleman moved to Santaquin in 2005. He starred in "Diff'rent Strokes" from 1978 to 1984 as Arnold Jackson. During that time, he gained renown for his catch-phrase "Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?"

Coleman was also one of 135 Californians who vied for votes in the 2003 recall election to replace then-Gov. Grey Davis. He finished eighth in the election with a total of 14,242 votes.

Recently, Coleman starred in "Church Ball," a LDS-genre movie produced in 2006 by Utah-based Halestorm Entertainment and filmed in Utah County.

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