Iconic 1980s show ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ star Melanie Watson dies aged 57 after suffering health issues in hospital
ACTRESS Melanie Watson died on Friday in Colorado Springs.
Best known for her role on the 80s TV show “Diff’rent Strokes”, she passed away aged 57.
The Diff’rent Strokes actress had been in hospital where she quickly deteriorated, TMZ reported.
Robert Watson, Melanie’s brother told the outlet that she died on December 26.
He said his sister had been suffering bleeding, and that doctors did their best to help her.
Watson was born in Dana Point, California, with a condition called osteogenesis imperfecta, which causes bones to fracture easily.
The disease can also cause a curved spine, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, and other issues.
The actress’ brother told TMZ that she was lucky to have lived as long as she did with her condition.
Robert said he would always think of Melanie.
She played Arnold’s pal Kathy Gordon on the 1980s TV show Diff’rent Strokes, appearing in four episodes of the hit show.
Her character used a wheelchair, just as the child star did in real life.
In 1982, she appeared in an episode called Kathy, named after her character.
In the episode, Kathy argued with Gary Coleman’s character, Arnold, after he tried to convince her to walk without using crutches.
Watson retired from showbiz after her run on hit show Diff’rent Strokes ended.
Later, she was married to Roger Bernhardt, for four years between 1994 and 1996.
Known professionally as Melanie Bernhardt, the child star was the founder and executive director of Train Rite, an organisation that trains shelter dogs to help disabled people.
In 2020, the the actress began a run for the Colorado State Senate, but pulled out of the race as “unforeseeable health conditions” derailed her campaign.
In 2024, she had expressed hopes of running for political office again.
Watson spoke about her TV stardom in a 2020 interview with IndieWire, describing herself as “a pill” to work with.
She said: “I was always playing with my yo-yo and listening to my Walkman.”
Talking about representing disabled people like her on screen, Watson said: “I didn’t realise what a gift it was to be the first one out there.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have stayed in the business.”