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Diff'rent Strokes ()

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The misadventures of a wealthy Manhattan family who adopted the children of their late African American housekeeper from Harlem.
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Photos and Videos

365 photos | 4 videos

Series Cast Summary

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  Philip Drummond (181 episodes, 1978-1986)
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  Arnold Jackson (181 episodes, 1978-1986)
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  Willis Jackson (181 episodes, 1978-1986)
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  Kimberly Drummond / ... (144 episodes, 1978-1986)
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  Pearl Gallagher (83 episodes, 1982-1986)
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  Sam McKinney (48 episodes, 1984-1986)
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  Dudley Ramsey / ... (43 episodes, 1980-1986)
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  Edna Garrett (37 episodes, 1978-1984)
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  Maggie McKinney / ... (33 episodes, 1984-1985)
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  Robbie Jason (22 episodes, 1980-1985)
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  Adelaide Brubaker (22 episodes, 1980-1984)
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  Maggie McKinney Drummond / ... (19 episodes, 1980-1986)
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  Lisa Hayes (14 episodes, 1982-1986)
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  Charlene DuPrey (10 episodes, 1980-1984)
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  Charlie (9 episodes, 1985-1986)
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  Miss Chung / ... (8 episodes, 1981-1983)
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  Aunt Sophia Drummond (8 episodes, 1981-1984)
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  The Waiter / ... (7 episodes, 1979-1984)
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  Tom Bishop / ... (6 episodes, 1979-1984)
Robin LaValley ...
  Mrs. Anson / ... (6 episodes, 1981-1986)
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  Ted Ramsey (6 episodes, 1980-1984)
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  Cousin (6 episodes, 1981-1983)
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  Dorothy 'Tootie' Ramsey (5 episodes, 1979-1981)
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  Oscar / ... (6 episodes, 1979-1982)
Bobby Jacoby ...
  Ricky (5 episodes, 1985-1986)
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  The Mailman / ... (4 episodes, 1979-1981)
Anthony Thompkins ...
  Vernon (4 episodes, 1979-1980)
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  Charles Sutton / ... (4 episodes, 1978-1985)
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  Kathy Gordon (4 episodes, 1981-1984)
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  Charles / ... (4 episodes, 1979-1981)
Verda Bridges ...
  Mary / ... (4 episodes, 1981-1985)
Steve Brady ...
  Guard / ... (4 episodes, 1984-1985)
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  Larry Alder (3 episodes, 1979)
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  Ruthie Alder (3 episodes, 1979)
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  Morgan Winslow (3 episodes, 1979)
Brian Whitley ...
  Art / ... (3 episodes, 1981-1982)
Brad Trumbull ...
  Detective Simpson (3 episodes, 1981-1983)
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  Mr. Payton / ... (3 episodes, 1979-1980)
Tyren Perry ...
  Jennifer / ... (3 episodes, 1984-1986)
Elaine Appleton ...
  Lillian / ... (3 episodes, 1979-1980)
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  Michelle (3 episodes, 1981-1984)
Joan Welles ...
  Dorothy Gordon (3 episodes, 1981-1983)
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  Doctor / ... (3 episodes, 1981-1983)
Lawrence Moran ...
  Blake (3 episodes, 1982-1984)
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  Diane Alder (2 episodes, 1979)
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  Mr. Horton (2 episodes, 1983)
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  Detective Morison / ... (2 episodes, 1979-1980)
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  Fred Tanner (2 episodes, 1979)
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  Jethro Simpson (2 episodes, 1979)
George Pentecost ...
  E.G. Stilson / ... (2 episodes, 1980-1984)

Production Companies

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Distributors

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Special Effects

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Storyline

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Plot Summary

Phillip Drummond, a widowed Manhattan millionaire and president of the mega-firm Trans Allied Inc., adopts two African American orphans from Harlem, 8-year-old Arnold and 12-year-old Willis. Drummond had made a promise to their dying mother, his housekeeper, that he would care for the boys after she passes away; their father had died years earlier. The boys, whom Drummond always introduced as his two sons, went from rags to riches literally overnight. At first, Willis was rather skeptical of their newfound wealth, but eventually, both he and Arnold felt right at home in their newfound surroundings. Also part of the family were Drummond's beautiful daughter, 13-year-old Kimberly; and his no-nonsense housekeeper, Edna Garrett. As the years passed, Mrs. Garrett left to become housemother at the Eastland School for Girls; she was replaced by the cantankerous Adelaide Brubaker and still later, charming Pearl Gallagher. Arnold's friends, Dudley and Robbie (and later, Charlie); Willis' girlfriend, Charlene; cast members from "The Facts of Life"; and Drummond's sister, Sophia, were frequently seen. In early 1984, Drummond found true love, marrying fitness instructor Maggie McKinney; she had a 6-year-old son, Sam. While most series revolved around the typical lessons of growing up, some were quite serious (including a frightening encounter with a child molester and a memorable episode dealing with drug abuse guest starring First Lady Nancy Reagan). Written by Brian Rathjen

Plot Keywords
Taglines Can the funniest, most opinionated nine year old south of Harlem find happiness as the adopted son of a suave, lily-white Park Avenue millionaire? (season 1) See more »
Genres
Parents Guide View content advisory »
Certification

Additional Details

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Also Known As
  • 45 Minutes from Harlem (United States)
  • Arnold et Willy (France)
  • Noch Fragen Arnold? (Germany)
  • Arnold (Spain)
  • Blanco y negro (Peru)
  • See more »
Runtime
  • 30 min
Country
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Color
Filming Locations

Did You Know?

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Trivia Conrad Bain and Gary Coleman appeared on the final episode of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)" as Phillip Drummond and Arnold Jackson respectively, looking at the Banks mansion as they shop for new homes in Los Angeles. See more »
Movie Connections Edited into Tupac: Resurrection (2003). See more »
Quotes [Willis has just learned his close friend has died in an auto accident]
Willis Jackson: Oh no...
[pause]
Willis Jackson: [crying] Oh no...
[Willis hangs up the phone and cries]
Willis Jackson: Look at me. Crying just like a kid.
Philip Drummond: No. Crying just like a man.
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