“Uncovering the Dark Connection: Did Howard Stern’s Influence Lead to Dana Plato’s Tragic Fate?”
Sadly, it wasn’t long before Plato’s sudden success led her down a dark path. Within the first year of Diff’rent Strokes, she had suffered her first drug overdose. In 1983, she began a relationship with Lanny Lambert, guitarist from 70s one-hit rock band Bullet, and moved in with him aged 18. The couple wed the following year and Plato fell pregnant. This proved the final straw for the Diff’rent Strokes producers.
Plato was dismissed as a full-time Diff’rent Strokes cast member in 1984, as it was felt her wild child image was at odds with what was meant to be a wholesome, family-friendly sitcom. Even so, Plato continued to make occasional appearances on the show, including a final episode which received critical acclaim for tackling the sensitive subject of bulimia.
Since Diff’rent Strokes came to an end in 1986, the once-beloved family sitcom’s legacy has been tarnished by the unhappy fates of all three of its young stars. Willis actor Todd Bridges had also descended into heavy drug use and wound up going on trial twice for attempted murder after shooting a drug dealer. Later he would spend three months in jail for possession.
Arnold actor Gary Coleman suffered from health problems associated with his stunted growth (he never grew beyond 4’8″). His professional woes fueled his anger issues, landing him several assault charges. Coleman died in 2010 from an intracranial haemorrhage, aged just 42.
Plato, meanwhile, struggled with her finances, her addictions and the loss of her adoptive mother, who passed away in 1988 after years of poor health. Plato’s marriage was breaking down around the same time, and she was deceived into placing her bank accounts in the hands of an accountant who subsequently absconded with almost her entire fortune.