'Diff’rent Strokes' star Melanie Watson dead at 57

Melanie Watson, best known to most audiences for her role on “Diff’rent Strokes,” has died at age 57.

Her brother, Robert Watson, confirmed to TMZ that the actress had passed away Friday in Colorado Springs.

Watson was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, often known as brittle bone disease, a condition where a person’s bones break easily, and according to the outlet had been hospitalized with bleeding issues and deteriorated quickly.

Born July 20, 1968 in Dana Point, California, Watson had a recurring role on “Diff’rent Strokes” from 1981 to 1984 as Kathy Gordon.

Kathy was in a wheelchair and helped Gary Coleman’s character Arnold accept that he wouldn’t grow taller than five feet.

Watson spoke about her role on the show and disability representation in a 2020 interview with IndieWire.

"I’m proud of Norman for going against the norm and doing something," she said of the show’s producer. "I didn’t realize 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," Melanie said.

She also joked with the outlet that she remembered being “a pill” to work with, saying, "I was always playing with my yo-yo and listening to my Walkman."

Watson stepped away from acting and co-founded Train Rite, a nonprofit that helps train shelter dogs to work as service animals for those with disabilities.

She also reportedly worked as CEO of Couiffie’s Ranch, which helps people with disabilities live more independently, per Deadline.

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