Dana Plato

Dana Michelle Plato was born in Maywood, California on November 7, 1964. Her birth mother, a 16-year-old unwed mother, gave her up for adoption as an infant. Dana was adopted by Dean and Florine Kay Plato.

As a child, Dana landed roles in more than 100 TV commercials. She was later chosen for the lead role in "The Exorcist" but her mother refused to let her appear in such a movie. Dana later appeared in such movies as "Beyond the Bermuda Triangle". She would later accept a small role in "Exorcist II: The Heretic".

Dana was later spotted by a producer during an appearance on "The Gong Show". Dana landed the part of Kimberly on the TV series Diff’rent Strokes. She appeared on the show from 1978 to 1986.

In December of 1983 Dana moved in with rock guitarist Lanny Lambert. In 1984, the two were married and a son Tyler Edward Lambert was born.

Dana was released from Diff'rent Strokes after the 1983-1984 season because of her pregnancy, but she did return for the final season.

Dana's mother, who had guided her career died of a blood disease. Dana and Lanny divorced in 1990. Lanny won custody of Tyler and Dana was awarded visitation rights.

Dana drifted in and out of the business over the next few years and posed for a June 1989 pictorial in Playboy.

She returned to public notice when she was arrested for the armed robbery of a Las Vegas video store. She was charged with armed robbery and sentenced to five years probation.

In 1992 she was arrested for forging Valium prescriptions and served 30 days in jail. Afterward, she spent a month in a drug and alcohol rehab, one of several times she went into rehab.

Dana later appeared in a string of B-grade movies, including "Bikini Beach Race" and "Compelling Evidence". She was featured in a FMV video game titled Night Trap as a scantily clad victim. In 1995, she appeared in the play "Last of the Red Hot Lovers".

In 1997, Dana again made headlines when she appeared in the soft-core, straight-to-video film "Different Strokes".

Tragically, on May 8th, 1999, Dana Michelle Plato died of a prescription drug overdose.