Gary Coleman Secretly Tied the Knot

Gary Coleman, the former child star, who is not quite five feet tall, is also a not-so newlywed.

The 4’8” “Diff’rent Strokes” actor, who turned 40 last week, and Shannon Price, who is 5’7” and who manages Coleman’s memorabilia sales on eBay (EBAY), married in a secret ceremony on a mountaintop in Nevada’s Valley of Fire August 28, her 22nd birthday. Coleman broke the news of his nuptials to “Inside Edition” (GE) on Tuesday, however. The couple, who met on the set of the 2006 limited-release comedy “Church Ball,” said they kept their wedding a secret because of Coleman’s notoriety. “I just want my own identity,” said Coleman’s wife. “I don’t want to be known as Gary Coleman’s wife.”

The couple has downplayed their differences in age (18 years), and height, (more than a foot when she wears heels). However, financial planners say that the mismatch that creates the most conflicts for newlyweds is differences in money management styles. When it is time to combine your finances, experts agree the best first step is an honest talk with your partner.

“You and your spouse should sit down and have a frank conversation about financial goals and how you want to work towards those goals together,” says Frank Boucher, a CPF  in Virginia. Cary Carbonaro a CFP in New York adds that no details are too small.

“You should know what each other’s net worth is,” she says. “When you are getting married you take on the other person’s debt. So be honest about assets and liabilities.”