Dana Michelle Plato was born on November 7, 1964, in the city of Maywood, California, a suburban area located approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Her introduction to the world of film and television began when she was just 11 years old, with a small role in the television film "Beyond the Bermuda Triangle" released in 1975.
However, it wasn't until she landed the iconic role of Kimberly Drummond in the hit television sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes" that she gained widespread recognition. Her character, the adopted daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Drummond, became a beloved fixture on the show from 1978 to 1986.
Following the conclusion of "Diff'rent Strokes," Dana struggled to find consistent acting work, occasionally appearing in made-for-TV movies and low-budget films. In her personal life, she was married to Lanny Lambert for seven years and had a son. Unfortunately, her life was marred by struggles with addiction and legal issues.
In 1991, Dana was arrested for robbing a Las Vegas video store and was placed on probation. The following year, she was arrested again for forging a Valium prescription. Despite her efforts to revive her career, Dana continued to face challenges, including a high-profile interview with Howard Stern in the spring of 1999.
Tragically, on May 8, 1999, Dana and her fiancé, Robert Menchaca, stopped at her parents' house in Moore, Oklahoma, for a Mother's Day weekend visit. Unfortunately, Dana's life came to a tragic end on that day, as she died from an accidental overdose of the painkiller "Loritab." An inquest was held on May 21, and the coroner's ruling concluded that her death was, in fact, a suicide, given the large amount of drugs found in her system and her history of past suicide attempts.
At the time of her death, Dana was just 34 years old. Despite her struggles, she remains a beloved figure in the hearts of many, and her legacy continues to be remembered and celebrated by fans of "Diff'rent Strokes" and beyond.
