Evidently the REAL Gary Coleman is none too thrilled about his portrayal in Avenue Q

This is from an old Etcetera article from Broadway.com. Apparently, Paul Wontorek ran into Gary at the Ten Commandments opening night party in LA. Here's what went down:

"I was excited to see Gary Coleman coming my way simply because I've been dying to ask him if he'd ever consider playing himself in Avenue Q. I mean sure, the show pokes fun at his career and, well, his family as well, but I assumed Coleman would see the value in taking control of the situation by actually appearing in the Tony-winning hit. It seems I assumed wrong. When I mentioned Q, Coleman went cold, barking: "They have absolutely no permission from me. I have not signed any paperwork and if they come to L.A., I have a lawyer waiting for them!" So I guess he doesn't want the job?! Paging Emmanuel Lewis!"

Thoughts? Comments? A link to a thread whose existence was hitherto unknown to me prior to the creation of this present thread?

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This news is about four years old.

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Ah! So people did know about it. Is there a thread link?

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Well, I've heard THAT story, Calvin. Oh, and Calvin and Hobbes rules!

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I have no idea.

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Heh heh!

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The show just played in L.A., last month and this month. No mention of a lawsuit anywhere in any of the papers. No mention of Gary Coleman, for that matter, either.

ETA: sorry, duplicate info, we posted at the same time.

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Updated On: 10/29/07 at 11:31 AM

Of how about "Matt and Ben" - the play that depicts Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as two unemployed actors who can't get a break until the script for "Good Will Hunting" magically drops out of the sky?

Coincidentally, in that play, Matt and Ben were also played by women - the co-authors fothe play. Matt Damon was played by Mindy Kaling, who plays Kelly Kapoor (and writes some episodes) on "The Office".

I actually feel sorry for Coleman. A child actor who had greedy parents and is now the butt of all "loser" jokes.

I saw him once and he was reeking of bitter. So sad considering how many millions of people he made laugh.

It can't be easy to see others have financial success in exploiting your failures.

I hope get some peace.

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Didn't the Avenue Q team attempt to meet with Gary Coleman and then he never showed up?

The difference between the real Gary Coleman and the person who originated the part in Ave Q is the person who played Gary actually has talent. Gary Coleman was a child "actor" who could deliver an insult well. Otherwise there was no talent there.

Is he the new Robert Vaughn?

Ha! "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."

Also now has resorted to doing personal injury attorney commercials.