RD80s News: Melanie Watson Passes at 57

Actress Melanie Watson has passed away on December 26, 2025 at the age of 57 due to serious health complications.

(Photo Courtesy: NBCUniversal via Getty Images via https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15417975/Melanie-Watson-dead-Diffrent-Strokes-star.html)

Melanie portrayed the role of Kathy Gordon, Arnold Drummond's friend on the 1980s sitcom Diff'rent Strokes.  She lived with a rare genetic disorder called osteogenesis imperfect which causes fragile bones, leading to frequent fractures.  Kathy was a key inspiration for the establishment of Train Rite which trains shelter dogs to assist people with disabilities.