Melanie Watson Bernhardt, the actress who played Kathy Gordon on the popular 1980s sitcom Diff’rent Strokes, has died at 57 years old. Her brother told TMZ she passed away on Friday in Colorado Springs.
Bernhardt had a genetic condition called osteogenesis imperfecta, which caused his bones to be very fragile and also impacted his muscles, hearing, and teeth.
She was recently hospitalized for bleeding issues, and her health declined rapidly afterward. Her brother shared with TMZ that, considering her health problems, Bernhardt had lived a remarkably long life.
On the TV show Diff’rent Strokes, Shavar Ross often played Kathy, a friend of the main character, Arnold Jackson, who was played by Gary Coleman. Like Shavar Ross himself, Kathy used a wheelchair on the show. Diff’rent Strokes aired from 1978 to 1986 and told the story of two brothers from Harlem who were adopted by a rich family in New York City.
Following her acting career, Bernhardt dedicated herself to charitable work. She started Train Rite, a non-profit that trains dogs from shelters to become service animals for people with disabilities, as noted by IMDb. She was married to Roger Bernhardt from 1994 until their divorce in 1996.
Melanie Bernhardt will be fondly remembered for both her television career and her commitment to giving back through her charitable efforts.
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2025-12-29 10:15