Actress Melanie Watson From “Diff’rent Strokes” Dies At 57
on Dec 29, 2025
“Diff’rent” Strokes Actress Melanie Watson Dies At 57
Actress Melanie Watson, who starred on the television series Diff’rent Strokes, has died at the age of 57.
Watson passed away Friday, Dec. 26, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, TMZ reported. Her brother, Robert Watson, said she had been hospitalized prior to her death and that her health declined during her stay.
He said his sister was fortunate to live as long as she did with her condition.
Who Was Melanie Watson?
Watson, a former child actress, was born with “osteogenesis imperfecta” and used a wheelchair. According to the Mayo Clinic, the genetic condition, commonly known as brittle bone syndrome, is a connective tissue disorder that causes bones to fracture easily.
She appeared in four episodes of Diff’rent Strokes, portraying the character Kathy Gordon. The long-running sitcom starred Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges and aired for eight seasons from 1978 to 1986.
Following her time on the show, she retired from acting.
Watson later founded Train Rite, an organization dedicated to training shelter dogs to assist people with disabilities, and served as its executive director, according to her IMDb.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Melanie Watson’s family during this time.
