‘Diff’rent Strokes’ Actor Dead at 57
Frank Carroll/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
Melanie Watson, best known for her role on the classic sitcom Diff’rent Strokes, died on December 26 after a prolonged hospitalization. She was 57. Her brother, Robert Watson, confirmed her death to TMZ.
Watson portrayed Kathy Gordon on Diff’rent Strokes, the Norman Lear–created series that starred Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges as Arnold and Willis Jackson, two orphaned boys taken in by wealthy businessman Phillip Drummond, played by Conrad Bain. Watson appeared in four episodes of the show, including the 1982 episode “Kathy” and the 1984 episode “Kathy’s Olympics.”
Born in Dana Point, California, in 1968, Watson was discovered at age 13 by a talent scout at her local YMCA. She was later introduced to Diff’rent Strokes writer Marshall Goldberg, who cast her in his sitcom–talk show hybrid The Baxters. Although the series lasted only one season, it put Watson on Norman Lear’s radar and ultimately led to her role as Kathy Gordon.
After her appearances on Diff’rent Strokes, Watson stepped away from acting and dedicated her life to disability advocacy. She founded Train Rite, an organization that trains shelter dogs to assist people with disabilities.
In a 2020 interview with IndieWire reflecting on Norman Lear’s legacy and disability advocacy, Watson spoke candidly about her time on the show. She joked that she was “a pill” on set, recalling how she played with a yo-yo and listened to her Walkman between takes. At the time, she did not use a wheelchair and was often carried from place to place.
Watson recalled feeling uneasy about one storyline in which her character was meant to enter on crutches and deliver an emotional plea. Years earlier, she had suffered a serious fall while trying to walk, and the scene brought back difficult memories. Ultimately, the writers explained the importance of the episode’s message, and the scene went forward successfully.
Looking back, Watson expressed pride in Lear’s willingness to challenge norms. “I didn’t realize what a gift it was to be the first one out there,” she said. “If I had to do it all over again, I would have stayed in the business.”
Watson is remembered not only for her television work, but also for her lasting impact as an advocate for people with disabilities.
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