‘Diff’rent Strokes’ actress Melanie Watson has died

Melanie Watson, known for her role on “Diff’rent Strokes” in the 80s, has died at 57.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Melanie Watson, the actress who played Kathy Gordon in the sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes,” has died. She was 57. 

Her brother Robert said she was hospitalized before her death, according to Forbes. 

TMZ reported Watson was born with osteogenesis imperfecta. It’s a genetic bone disorder also known as brittle bone disease, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. 

Watson starred in four episodes of “Diff’rent Strokes” between 1981 and 1984, according to IMDb. 

Forbes reported her performance in the episodes was noted for its authentic representation of a young person with a disability when it wasn’t common. 

Watson was married to Robert Bernhardt from 1994 until their divorce in 1996, according to her IMDb. She also founded an organization, Train Rite, to train shelter dogs to be service dogs for people with disabilities. 

She also carried the Olympic torch in 1996 through Los Angeles alongside her canine companion Romer. She helped relay the Olympic flame after being chosen as a “community hero” by her hometown residents in Duarte, California, according to the Associated Press. 

Watson’s brother said she was in the hospital due to a bleeding issue and later died in Colorado Springs, Colorado.