Jennifer Saunders
English comedian, screenwriter, actress and teacher
Dana Plato was an American actress who gained fame as a teen idol in the late 1970s and early 1980s, starring in the sitcom Diff’rent Strokes. Her life was tragically cut short at the age of 34 due to substance abuse issues that plagued her throughout her career.
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About the Dana Plato
Dana Michelle Platowas an American actress. An influential teen idol of the late 1970s and early 1980s, she played Kimberly Drummond on the sitcom Diff’rent Strokesand Return to Boggy Creek (1977), and the Oscar-winning film California Suite (1978). In recognition for her tenure on Diff’rent Strokes, she received nominations for a Young Artist Award and two TV Land Awards. Following the show, she worked sporadically in independent films and B movies, and appeared in the video game Night Trap (1992).
Plato was married twice; she had a child in 1984 during her marriage to guitarist Lanny Lambert. She struggled with substance abuse for most of her life. She was arrested in 1991 for robbing a video store, and again the following year for forging a drug prescription. On May 8, 1999, at age 34, Plato was found dead in her motor home from an overdose of prescription drugs. Her death, while initially considered accidental, was ruled a suicide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dana Plato was an American actress who rose to fame as a teen idol in the late 1970s and early 1980s, playing Kimberly Drummond on the sitcom Diff’rent Strokes.
Dana Plato struggled with substance abuse issues for most of her life, which ultimately led to her premature death at the age of 34 from a drug overdose, which was ruled a suicide.
In addition to her role on Diff’rent Strokes, Dana Plato also appeared in a few films such as Exorcist II: The Heretic, Return to Boggy Creek, and California Suite, as well as the video game Night Trap.
Dana Plato was only 34 years old when she died from a prescription drug overdose in 1999.
For her role as Kimberly Drummond on Diff’rent Strokes, Dana Plato received nominations for a Young Artist Award and two TV Land Awards.
Dana Plato was born to a teenage mother and was adopted as an infant. She was raised in the San Fernando Valley and was an accomplished figure skater before beginning her acting career.
Dana Plato’s well-documented battles with substance abuse and legal troubles hampered her acting career after her breakout role on Diff’rent Strokes, leading her to work mostly in independent films and B-movies later in her life.
15 Quotes by Dana Plato
- 1.
I’m okay in my skin, you know… I’m okay with who I am.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 2.
I’m open-minded. I don’t consider myself gay or hetero, I just am. I’ve had experiences all over the planet but it always comes down to just me, but I think at this point if I had an ongoing relationship I believe it would be with a man.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 3.
I wanted this to have as wide an audience as possible. I didn’t want to get an X rating, because in my opinion once that happens you X-out everyone else.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 4.
I’ve got to be honest, there’s no pleasure when you’re working.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 5.
With women and women, I think there’s an understanding. Nobody knows what a woman feels or experiences but another woman. We are the nurturers, and there are times when we need to be nurtured.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 6.
I’m learning to play by the rules. I sort of hate to think of it that way, but that’s how it is. I’m really learning to function out there and in such a way that I don’t need to drink.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 7.
If it feels right and I’m not going against any energy in myself or the situation, there would be no limit.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 8.
I’ve learned through experience that life is never that bad. The secret is just paying attention to how you feel and not letting anyone else dictate what in your heart you know is right.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 9.
People have an awful lot of problems that society has put on them and a lot to work through because of it.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 10.
All that money stuff was so strange; all it ever meant to me was freedom from worry. I’m happier now than I’ve ever been but I still wish I had that money.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 11.
In my opinion it’s not about gay or straight or bi, we’re attracted to spirits, whatever body they’re in. There are other reasons too, but that’s how I see it.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 12.
Growing up, all I did was work and vacation, but I loved it, no one pushed me into anything. The thing was I developed no special skills. I don’t have any resentment because I am a performer and I’ve always felt that, but it did take its toll socially.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 13.
I’d hopefully work through all my issues with men first so then I’d be okay being with a woman.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 14.
I think the whole nerves thing comes into play when we worry about what other people and society will think.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)
- 15.
I like to go with the energy because when you ignore it that’s when you start doing things wrong.
Dana PlatoAmerican actress (1964-1999)