COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Melanie Watson, beloved for her portrayal of Kathy Gordon on “Diff’rent Strokes.” She died at the age of 57, as confirmed by her brother Robert, who stated that she had been hospitalized prior to her passing, according to a report by Forbes.

As reported by TMZ, Watson was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition commonly referred to as brittle bone disease, characterized by fragile bones that break easily. This condition is detailed by Johns Hopkins Medicine.

During her career, Watson made a lasting impression with her performances in four episodes of “Diff’rent Strokes,” appearing between 1981 and 1984, as documented by IMDb.

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.