Early yesterday morning we learned that former child star Gary Coleman had been arrested in Utah on Sunday afternoon and today we learn not only that Coleman has been freed from jail (his bail was reportedly paid for him by a fan who felt sorry for him) but we get to hear, in his own words, what the experience was like for him. Here are a few screencaps from an impromptu interview he gave to RadarOnline as he was leaving the jailhouse yesterday:

RadarOnline.com caught up with actor Gary Coleman as he made his way out of Utah County Jail on Monday afternoon. Looking frail and in a wheelchair, Coleman talked about his jail experience and explained the real reason he was thrown into the pokey in the first place. On Sunday, Coleman was arrested on an outstanding domestic violence warrant. He explained to RadarOnline.com that he had a valid reason for missing his court date. “I was in the hospital getting minor surgery,” he said. His father-in-law, who was there to pick up Coleman, revealed to RadarOnline.com that he was actually having heart surgery, a fact Coleman wanted to play down. “I don’t want to spread that around,” he said, explaining it would make him unemployable in Hollywood. His father-in-law also revealed that Coleman currently undergoes dialysis three times a week for a pre-existing medical condition he has had since he was born. Coleman (who was bailed out by two men who referred to themselves as his security detail from New York) called his prison time “absolutely miserable.” On his release, he was simply looking forward to the simple pleasures in life. “I’m happy as a clam…I just want to come home,” Coleman said, adding he simply wants to be in his own bed. As for how his marriage with Shannon Price is going, Coleman joked “My wife would kill me!” if he spoke out.

Ugh. The sight of Gary Coleman (who I remember fondly as the cute Arnold Drummond on Diff’rent Strokes) in that mugshot was bad enough but seeing him in this wheelchair, talking about his heart surgery … it’s so sad. The young stars of Diff’rent Strokes suffered so greatly in adulthood … Dana Plato paid with her life. I sincerely hope that things get better for Coleman. Poor little guy.

[Source]