GARY COLEMAN

Regarding the quote attributed to me: “They’ve ruined my career. They’re vicious. . . . Face it, if he wasn’t Gary Coleman, these people wouldn’t have anything to do with this little schwartze .”

It was not my career which was ruined, it was Gary’s. That was my statement. Secondly, I have never referred to Gary, or any other black person as a schwartze . The word is not included in my normal vocabulary, and though it means “black,” my experience is that it is used in conversation to demean rather than describe. Race was never mentioned unless it was material to the role--be it Gary or any of my other clients.

I am sure you understand that this misquote of my statement could destroy a relationship with a former client and friend whom I continue to respect. Stumbo’s account of events is accurate, despite her depiction of me as an aging dilettante in the twilight of a parasitical career.

VICTOR A. PERILLO

Las Vegas, Nev.

Editor’s note: The quote was contained in Bella Stumbo’s notes.