Dana Plato's life was marked by both success and tragic struggles.
Join us as Facts Verse presents: Dana Plato was a Teen Idol, What Happened to Her After
was Tragic
Early Life Dana Plato was born on November 7, 1964, in
Maywood, California.
She was the eldest daughter of Linda Strain, an unwed teenager at the time of Dana's birth.
Her biological father's identity was never publicly disclosed.
Plato was later adopted by Dean Plato, Linda's second husband, and took his last name.
Plato spent her early childhood in California.
She had a tumultuous upbringing, with her parents divorcing when she was just three
years old.
Plato's mother struggled with addiction and was often absent from her life, leaving Plato
to be raised by her father.
Plato's interest in performing was influenced by her surroundings.
Growing up in Southern California, she was exposed to the entertainment industry, which
sparked her interest in acting.
Plato's career in the entertainment industry began with commercials.
As a child, she appeared in numerous television advertisements, showcasing her talent and
gaining early experience in front of the camera.
These early roles helped her develop a passion for acting and motivated her to pursue more
significant opportunities.
Plato's big break came when she was cast as Kimberly Drummond on the popular sitcom "Diff'rent
Strokes" at the age of 14.
Her role on the show propelled her to fame and made her a recognizable face in households
across America.
This early success solidified her interest in performing and opened doors for further
acting opportunities.
“Diff'rent Strokes" was a popular American sitcom that aired from 1978 to 1986.
The show revolved around the lives of two African-American brothers, Arnold and Willis
Jackson, who were adopted by wealthy businessman Phillip Drummond after their mother, Drummond's
housekeeper, passes away.
Dana Plato played the role of Kimberly Drummond, the teenage daughter of Phillip Drummond.
Kimberly was portrayed as a kind-hearted, intelligent, and sometimes rebellious character.
She often served as a voice of reason and provided a different perspective in the Drummond
household.
Plato's character played a significant role in the show's dynamics, providing comedic
moments and contributing to the show's heartwarming family dynamic.
Dana’s Role on “Diff’rent Strokes” Kimberly was known for her fashion sense,
often sporting trendy outfits and hairstyles that reflected the style of the era.
Her character was written to be a typical teenager, navigating the challenges and joys
of adolescence while also dealing with the unique circumstances of being part of a blended
family.
"Diff'rent Strokes" tackled various social issues, including racism, classism, drug abuse,
and more, often using humor to address these topics.
The show became known for its catchy theme song and memorable catchphrases such as "What'chu
talkin' 'bout, Willis?" which was frequently uttered by Arnold Jackson, played by Gary
Coleman.
As Plato grew older, she faced personal and professional struggles.
She dropped out of high school and eventually left "Diff'rent Strokes" in 1984.
Dana Plato's departure from "Diff'rent Strokes" was primarily due to a combination of personal
and professional conflicts.
For one thing, Plato had ongoing contract disputes with the producers of the show, which
led to disagreements regarding her salary and the direction of her character.
These disputes reportedly caused tension and dissatisfaction for Plato.
Secondly, Plato faced personal challenges during her time on the show.
She struggled with substance abuse and had legal issues related to drug possession.
These personal struggles affected her work and reportedly led to conflicts on set.
As Plato grew older, she also expressed a desire to break away from her child-star image
and pursue more adult roles.
She felt that being associated with her character on "Diff'rent Strokes" limited her career
opportunities and prevented her from being taken seriously as an actress.
After leaving "Diff'rent Strokes," Dana Plato faced challenges in her career.
She struggled to find steady work and experienced difficulty in transitioning from her child-star
image to more mature roles.
Plato appeared in several television shows and movies after leaving "Diff'rent Strokes,"
but she mostly landed smaller, supporting roles.
Some of her notable appearances include guest spots on shows like "The Love Boat" and "Murder,
She Wrote."
She also had roles in films such as "Bikini Beach Race" and "L.A. Vice."
Sadly, none of these roles really stuck for the young actress.
Dana’s Personal Life Plato's personal struggles, including substance
abuse and legal issues, affected her career.
She faced multiple arrests throughout her life.
Dana Plato had several arrests throughout her life, which significantly impacted her
personal and professional life.
In May 1984, Plato was arrested in Las Vegas for possessing cocaine.
She was charged with drug possession, and this incident caused negative publicity for
her.
She later pleaded guilty to the charges and received probation.
One of the most notable incidents in Plato's life occurred in 1991 when she was arrested
for armed robbery.
Plato, along with her boyfriend, Robert Menchaca, entered a video store in Las Vegas wearing
disguises.
She allegedly brandished a pellet gun and demanded money.
The couple was caught shortly after the robbery, and Plato was charged with armed robbery.
She later pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to five years' probation, ordered
to attend a drug rehabilitation program, and required to pay restitution.
These arrests not only affected Plato's personal life but also had a detrimental impact on
her career.
The negative publicity surrounding these incidents made it difficult for her to secure acting
roles and regain her reputation.
In the early 1990s, Plato attempted a comeback by appearing in adult-oriented roles in independent
films, including "Different Strokes: The Story of Jack and Jill... and Jill" (1998).
However, this proved too little too late for the struggling star.
Soon, things would take a turn for the worse in her personal life.
Plato had a son, Tyler Lambert, born in 1984 from her relationship with musician Lanny
Lambert.
However, Plato faced challenges in maintaining custody of her son due to her personal struggles.
Tyler Lambert had a close relationship with his mother, Dana Plato, despite her personal
struggles.
They shared a bond that was evident throughout their lives.
Tyler Lambert experienced the devastating loss of his mother when he was just 14 years
old.
Dana Plato tragically passed away on May 8, 1999.
Plato's cause of death was ruled as a drug overdose.
She died from an overdose of prescription drugs, including Valium and Lortab.
Plato had a history of substance abuse and struggled with addiction.
Plato had made headlines in 1991 when she attempted suicide by overdosing on prescription
drugs.
This made people question whether her death was intentional.
In the days leading up to her death, Plato had been staying in an RV in Moore, Oklahoma,
with her fiancé, Robert Menchaca, and his mother.
Reports suggest that she was in a state of emotional distress during this time.
Plato's life came to an end when her fiancé discovered her lifeless body in the RV.
Emergency services were called, but they were unable to revive her.
She was pronounced dead soon after.
Plato's passing sparked debates and media speculation about the impact of child stardom,
the pressures of fame, and the struggles faced by actors after their careers decline.
It also highlighted the challenges of mental health and addiction in the entertainment
industry.
Following his mother's death, Lambert faced significant challenges in coping with the
loss.
He struggled with depression and addiction, which were likely exacerbated by the traumatic
circumstances surrounding his mother's passing.
Lambert sought to honor his mother's memory and legacy by becoming an artist.
He channeled his emotions into his artwork, creating pieces that expressed his grief and
love for his mother.
Sadly, Tyler Lambert's life ended in a similarly tragic manner as his mother's.
On May 6, 2010, at the age of 25, Lambert died by suicide.
The loss of both his mother and the struggles he faced in the aftermath likely contributed
to his tragic decision.
Another “Diff’rent Strokes” Tragedy Dana Plato wasn’t the only member of the
“Diff’rent Strokes” cast to lead a tragic life.
Gary Coleman's life took a tragic turn following the end of his time on the show and the height
of his fame.
Despite achieving immense success as a child actor, Coleman encountered numerous personal
and financial challenges that ultimately led to a tragic downfall.
One significant factor in Coleman's struggles was his strained relationship with his parents
and their mismanagement of his finances.
As a child actor, Coleman's earnings were substantial, but his parents allegedly mishandled
his money, leaving him with financial difficulties later in life.
Legal battles over his earnings and an ongoing legal dispute with his parents further exacerbated
his financial woes.
Additionally, Coleman faced health issues, including a congenital kidney disease that
resulted in multiple kidney transplants throughout his life.
The medical expenses associated with his condition added to his financial strain.
Like Plato, Coleman's career also took a downturn as he struggled to transition from a child
star to adult roles.
The industry typecast him, making it difficult for him to find meaningful work.
He faced a decline in acting opportunities and struggled to maintain a stable career.
To make matters worse, Coleman's personal life was marked by turmoil and legal troubles.
He had several tumultuous relationships, including a highly publicized and contentious marriage
to Shannon Price, which ended in divorce.
Domestic disputes and legal battles further tarnished his public image.
In 2010, at the age of 42, Coleman tragically passed away due to a brain hemorrhage.
His death was followed by controversy surrounding his estate and disputes over his final wishes.
While Dana Plato and Gary Coleman's lives were marked with challenges, there are a few
lighthearted and funny anecdotes involving the two actors during their time on the set
of "Diff'rent Strokes."
One amusing incident occurred during the filming of a scene where Plato's character, Kimberly
Drummond, was supposed to push Coleman's character, Arnold Jackson, into a swimming pool.
The scene required Plato to give Coleman a gentle shove, causing him to fall into the
water.
However, during one take, Plato accidentally gave Coleman a more forceful push than intended,
causing him to take an unexpected dive into the pool.
The crew burst into laughter as Coleman surfaced, sputtering and drenched.
Despite the mishap, both actors found the incident hilarious and shared a good laugh
together.
Another funny story involves a prank that Plato and Coleman played on their co-star,
Todd Bridges, who portrayed Willis Jackson on the show.
Plato and Coleman decided to fill Bridges' dressing room with balloons while he was away.
When Bridges returned to find his room overflowing with balloons, he couldn't help but burst
into laughter.
The light-hearted prank created a fun and cheerful atmosphere on set, fostering a strong
bond between the young actors.
Dana Plato's personal life was marked by a combination of success, difficulties, and
personal struggles.
Now it’s time to hear from you: did you know that Dana Plato was arrested for robbery
before her tragic death and that her death was thought by many to have been self-caused?
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