There’s an update on the Gary Coleman story, and unfortunately, the ending is a sad one.

TMZ has confirmed that the child star has died as a result of injuries he suffered earlier this week.

On May 26 he was admitted to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah for the head injury he suffered at his home. He was announced to be in critical condition. By the next day he was unconscious and on life support.

The hospital told TMZ that Coleman died at 12:05 p.m. MST. He is said to have died of intracranial hemorrhage.

Earlier this morning, Coleman was placed on life support. It was Gary’s wife, Shannon, who decided to take her husband off life support.

Family members and close friends were at his side when his life support was full.

Coleman was 42.

Fans of the Diff’rent Strokes star know that Coleman’s story is one of constant conflict.

In 1989 he sued his parents and former manager over mishandling his $3.8 million trust fun. Although he won a $1,280,000 million judgment in 1993 by the close of the decade he would file for bankruptcy.

Despite being the driving force of Diff’rent Strokes, Coleman struggled to find acting roles following the end of the series.

That anger over financial and professionals struggles would later result in a myriad of legal problems for Coleman – including arrests for assault and domestic violence, along with citations on disorderly conduct.

Despite his contentious relationship with his wife, it seemed the two were happier in recent months.

Hopefully now he can finally rest in peace.

THE FACTS
Marlon Wayans touched on his growing anticipation to portray Richard Pryor in his upcoming biopic.

THE SPIN
Many were disappointed to learn that Eddie Murphy nor Mike Epps would be portraying Richard Pryor in the long discussed biopic, Richard Pyror: Is It Something I Said?

That might have to do with the fact that Marlon is more known for movies like White Chicks and Little Man versus his very inspired performance in the indie movie, Requiem for a Dream.

In a recent profile in the Los Angeles Times, Marlon addressed some of the criticism head one.

He said:

“Look, I want to be able to make the stupidest movies ever, because they make people laugh and they make money. But that’s not all I want to do. And I think I’ve proven to some people — the ones paying attention — that I can do more. Everybody else, well, they can wait and see and make up their mind.”

And the youngest Wayans made it clear:

“I have no complaints, but I do have a plan. I love doing comedy, but I also love to do drama.This is like an invitation to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro for me, and I’ve never been more excited in my life than when I got the role,” he said last week. “I want to be in dramas, I want to produce, I want to write and I want to prove I can handle a role such as this one.”

Although Eddie Murphy passed on the role amid creative differences, he wishes Marlon Wayans well.

A rep for the star said:

“Eddie thinks Marlon will be wonderful in the role and he’s given his blessing for Marlon to do it. He’s looking forward to seeing Marlon in the role.”

I have faith in Marlon. I think he’s going to surprise people and may even net himself an Oscar nod in 2012. Mo’Nique has proven you have to give people the benefit of the doubt.

But I guess a better question is are you all biopic out or is this a movie you can’t wait to see? And do you think Marlon Wayans can pull it off?

The film goes into production this fall.

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YOUR SPIN: Do you think Marlon is right for the role? Tell us here.

Image courtesy of nydailynewsp.com

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

THE FACTS
In an interview with EbonyJet.com, Antoine Fuqua and Wesley Snipes talked about the alleged lack of masculine actors.

THE SPIN
Antoine Fuqua’s latest film, Brooklyn’s Finest, is officially in theaters as of today. The film chronicles the lives of a trio of New York City cops played by Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, and Ethan Hawke. Rounding out the cast is the IRS’ favorite actor, Wesley Snipes, who portrays an ex-con slowly drawn back into the life he abandoned.

While reading Fuqua and Snipes’ interview with EbonyJet.com I found their comments about the state of the black male actor interesting.

EBONY: Too many black films now are aimed at women. Or nerds or comic book geeks. I mean what happened to us? What happened to movies for men?

SNIPES: That’s right!

EBONY: What happened in the film industry?

FUQUA: I think we’re in a time they’ve cut the cojones off or are trying to. You want me to put it to you for real? Everything is soft, they’re putting everyone in dresses and O.K. that’s fun. But I grew up watching movies about men. Watching movies from the 1930’s the 40’s the 50’s Movies like Public Enemy and Scarface (i.e. referring to the original Howard Hawks’ 1932 version with Paul Muni).

EBONY: Exactly! You don’t have those definite masculine actors today like you had back then like Robert Mitchum, Gary Cooper, Lee Marvin, Yul Brynner, John Wayne, William Holden. You can go on and on the list was endless back then.

SNIPES: We just had this same conversation…

FUQUA: Yeah we just had this exact same conversation just recently. Even in casting now, it’s hard to find men. I mean we have Denzel. No doubt. We’ve got Wesley. But Wesley now is going to come back and help me do that. Because if Denzel is busy, then where am I going to go? We’re not that deep with skilled quality actors and masculinity.

The interviewer goes on to say that “we’ve got too many soft black men from the U.S. in movies now.

Outside of Tyler Perry and a few comedians doing family roles (which is typical for an actor of a certain age and appeal), I don’t feel like we’ve seen that great a dip in seeing the hypermasculine black male on film.

In fact, the influx of rapper turned actors (you know, those sensitive souls) have kept that sort of theme in Hollywood even more constant. But maybe I’m mistaken.

YOUR SPIN: Are we in need of more “manly actors?”  Tell us here.

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Image courtesy of blogtribuna.com

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)