Actress from beloved ‘80s sitcom ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ dead at 57

Actress Melanie Watson Bernhardt has died.

Bernhardt, who was champion known for playing nan characteristic Kathy Gordon on”Diff’rent Strokes,” died Friday successful Colorado Springs, her relative told TMZ.

The actress, who battled nan familial upset osteogenesis imperfecta — which causes bones to break easily, mediocre musculus tone, proceeding loss, and dental problems — had been hospitalized aft suffering bleeding issues, nan outlet reported.

Her wellness reportedly deteriorated quickly aft she was hospitalized.

Bernhardt was 57 years old.

Her relative told TMZ that his sister was fortunate to unrecorded arsenic agelong arsenic she did pinch her condition.

Bernhardt had a predominant guest-starring domiciled connected “Diff’rent Strokes,” successful which she played a wheelchair-using friend of lead characteristic Arnold (Gary Coleman). “Diff-rent Strokes” ran for 8 seasons, from 1978-1986.

After nan show ended, Berhardt retired from acting.

She later created and served arsenic nan executive head of Train Rite, an statement that trains shelter dogs to service nan disabled, according to IMDB.

Bernhardt was antecedently joined to Roger Bernhardt from 1994 to 1996.

“Diff’rent Strokes” followed 2 orphaned brothers from Harlem (Willis and Arnold Jackson) who were welcomed into nan family of a able New York businessman their mother erstwhile worked for.

Back successful 2021, Todd Bridges — who played Willis — told Page Six that he knowledgeable “extreme racism” growing up arsenic a kid star.

“Here you are doing thing spectacular for group and group are enjoying it, but past you spell extracurricular and you’re treated for illustration you’re ignorant, dumb and stupid,” he told us.

“Not for illustration you person immoderate intelligence aliases you’re a bully kid, not astatine all,” he continued.

Bridges arsenic good arsenic his co-stars publically struggled aft nan show wrapped.

Bridges battled a ace cocaine and methamphetamine addiction. In 1989, he was arrested and tried for nan attempted execution of Kenneth “Tex” Clay, a Los Angeles-based supplier dealer, but was yet acquitted.

Coleman died astatine property 42 successful 2010 of an epidural hematoma. Before his death, he won a suit against his parents and business advisor complete nan misappropriation of his earnings.

Dana Plato, who played nan boys’ adoptive sister, Kimberly, besides struggled pinch narcotics and intoxicant for years. She died astatine property 34 successful 1999 of a supplier overdose that was later ruled a suicide.