Warning: This article talks about a possible suicide. Please read carefully and take care of yourself.
Dana Plato was born on November 7, 1964, in Maywood, California. She was an actress best known for playing Kimberly Drummond, a caring character, on the popular TV show Diff’rent Strokes, which ran from 1978 to 1986. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, she became a teen idol.
Aside from Diff’rent Strokes, Dana appeared in many other TV shows and movies. According to IMDb, some of her TV appearances included The Six Million Dollar Man (1975), Family (1976), What Really Happened to the Class of ’65? (1978), Hello, Larry (three episodes), The Facts of Life (1979), CHiPs (1979 and 1980), High School U.S.A. (1983), The Love Boat (1974), and Growing Pains (1985).
Dana Plato appeared in several movies, including Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977), Return to Boggy Creek (1977), California Suite (1978), and Prime Suspect (1989), along with some smaller, less known films.
Sadly, Dana passed away on May 8, 1999, in Moore, Oklahoma, at just 34 years old. People wonder what led to such a heartbreaking and early end to her life.
How did Dana Plato die?
According to her IMDb bio and other sources, Dana Plato’s death at first seemed to be an accidental overdose of the painkiller “Loritab.” But 13 days later, on May 21, 1999, a coroner ruled her death a suicide because of the large amount of drugs in her system and her past attempts to take her own life. Some of her friends and people who knew her disagreed with this ruling.
On the day Dana Plato died, she had just done an interview with Howard Stern, hoping it would help restart her career. She and her fiancé, Robert Menchaca, who was also her manager, were on their way back to California in their motor home. They stopped at Menchaca’s parents’ house in Moore, Oklahoma, for a Mother’s Day weekend visit. Dana wasn’t feeling well, so she took some Lortab (a painkiller) and a muscle relaxer, then went to take a nap with her fiancé. When he woke up, he found her unresponsive next to him.
Dana Plato had been dealing with substance abuse for many years before her death. Her difficulties were often linked to the fact that she struggled to find more acting roles after Diff’rent Strokes ended.
We hope she has found peace now.
If you or someone you know is going through a tough time or is in crisis, help is available. You can call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. For international crisis resources, check the link provided.
Owners of Some of the Most Extravagant Private Jets in the World
Celebrities often lead lives of unmatched luxury, with private jets as the ultimate symbol of success. These multi-million-dollar aircraft not only offer elite travel but also serve as customizable spaces reflecting personal style.
Celine Dion travels aboard her $42-million Bombardier BD 700 Global Express, ensuring “ample space for her entourage” and a peaceful environment that commercial flights can’t match.
Kylie Jenner, at just 23, spent $73 million on her Bombardier Global 7500, dubbed “Kylie Air,” featuring “custom pink lighting” and a full-size bed. Her jet doubles as a promotional tool for Kylie Cosmetics, with the brand’s logo visible throughout.
Lionel Richie and his daughter Sofia enjoy private air travel with Lionel’s Gulfstream G550, serving both business and leisure needs.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson uses his $65-million Gulfstream G650 for both work and family time, even changing his daughter’s diaper mid-flight.
Taylor Swift’s $40-million Dassault Falcon 900, personalized with her lucky number 13, allows her to travel in comfort while “creating a homey atmosphere” with fresh fruit and flowers on board.
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