TV icon died penniless at 34 after robbing video | TV Shows

Diff’rent Strokes star Dana Plato grew to become a acquainted face in America during the 70s and 80s, rising to stardom as (*34*) Drummond in the beloved ABC sitcom.

From 1978 to 1986, she maintained the function across 144 episodes in a stint that would secure her legacy in American tv comedy. Her resume also included appearances in exhibits ranging from Prime Suspect to Growing Pains.

However, in direction of the end of her heartbreaking life, Dana discovered herself broke and battling substance abuse. She had misplaced it all, resorting to performing in X-rated movies just to survive.

In 1998, she secured what would develop into her second-to-last film function in the erotic drama Different Strokes, satirically named after the very sitcom that had launched her to stardom.

Her downward spiral had begun years earlier, though. In 1991, Dana grabbed headlines when she held up a video rental store during the height of her struggles with medicine and alcohol, following her incapacity to secure any substantial appearing alternatives, stories The Express.

At the time, she was employed at a dry cleansing business in Las Vegas, incomes barely enough to get by. Desperately needing money, she hid her id with a hat and sun shades before brandishing a weapon at a video store worker.

The clerk, Heather Dailey, recalled the incident, stating she contacted authorities after surrendering $160, informing officers, “I’ve just been robbed by the girl who played Kimberly on Diff’rent Strokes.”

Police apprehended her just quarter-hour later.

Authorities later found the weapon was merely a pellet gun, ensuing in her receiving 5 years probation at sentencing. Following a morning radio show’s fee of her $13,000 bail, she secured employment with their group.

Her bosses confessed, “She never did drugs anywhere in front of us, or around the time that time. You couldn’t tell anything. I’m a little naive in that way. But she was always just the sweetest girl.”

Heartbreakingly, Dana would die later that decade, at only 34 years outdated. Her death was decided to be suicide due to her documented struggles with substance dependency – she died after consuming painkiller Lortab and muscle-relaxant Soma, drugs infamous for their harmful interactions.

She handed away in her Winnebago, stationed outdoors her mom’s home.

Her former supervisor Gerald Wolff, nonetheless, maintained, “In my heart of hearts I do not believe she committed suicide. Dana loved life too much.”

Her good friend Brandon Cruz noticed, “The life of an addict will lead you to three places – rehab, jail or death.”

If in the United States, you may dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to 988 Lifeline