Dana Plato Biography

Dana Plato was an American actress known for her role in the sitcom ‘Diff'rent Strokes.’ She began her acting career as a young girl by appearing in some commercials. Then she started taking up small roles in TV shows. However, she never truly made an impact on the small screen until she appeared as Kimberly Drummond in the hit sitcom ‘Diff'rent Strokes.’ Following her departure from the series, Plato struggled as an actress, trying to find good roles. She eventually ended up getting minor roles in independent films and video games. Her professional career never really took off. Her personal life was also a difficult one. Born to an unwed teenager, Plato was adopted by a business owner and his wife when she was just seven months old. When she was three, her adoptive parents divorced, further traumatizing the already troubled little girl. The quality of her personal life did not improve even after she grew up. Her marriage proved to be a short-lived one and she was plagued by addiction to drugs and alcohol. Plato died from an overdose of a prescription drug when she was 34.