Why Gary Coleman Refused To Say His Iconic Diff'rent Strokes Catchphrase

It's something that seems to be a very common trend among child stars. Whether we want to admit it or not, Jaleel White is almost exclusively known for playing Steve Urkel on "Family Matters," and the first thing most people think of when the name Butch Patrick is mentioned is his "The Munsters" character, Eddie Munster. Likewise, Gary Coleman appeared destined to be forever known first and foremost as Arnold Jackson from "Diff'rent Strokes," and part of that meant having to say his "Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" catchphrase ad nauseam. This was definitely not to his liking, as his friend, adult film star Ron Jeremy, told Us Weekly in 2010.

Speaking to the publication, Jeremy recalled a moment on "The Surreal Life" where rapper Vanilla Ice needled the actor by repeatedly requesting him to ask Willis what he was talking about. "He was so p***ed off," Jeremy said. "He was a sweet guy, but he hated being asked to repeat 'Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?'...He didn't want to live in the past."

All that teasing allegedly led Coleman to walk off the "Surreal Life" set, but as Jeremy noted, the Iceman did far more than ask Coleman to say his famous line. "He's carrying Gary around and going 'Get in My Belly,' like they do in 'Austin Powers,'" Jeremy continued. "Vanilla Ice is carrying him around and threatens to put him in the deep fryer. Gary's going, 'I hate this guy. I hate this guy. Let go of me.'"

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