It seems like people never see themselves the way other people see them. Dana Plato had just about every gift a person can have. She looked like the all-American girl: blonde hair, blue eyes, and cute smile. She had a likeable personality and was very talented. If I was given all the gifts she was, I would take full advantage. However, it seems like she was lacking in one gift: peace. If you don't have peace you don't have anything. I know she got on drugs and got in trouble with the law. I haven't heard the whole story. Was her family not there for her? Did she not have anyone to help her? It's such a shame. What a waste.

Once you become addicted to drugs or alcohol, you are addicted until you decide you want help. No one can help anyone who doesn't want help. If Dana did not believe she wasn't an addict, then no one can force her to get help. The first step in getting help for an addiction is ADMITTING YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.

You can have the best things in life and still feel insecure and become an addict. Drugs don't care whether you are rich or poor, famous or not, once you have tried drugs once, most likely you can end up an addict. Dana either was not secure in herself for whatever reason. She probably felt as if she wasn't going to get any more work in the business and felt hopeless. The most beautiful and the most financially secure people don't always have peace and happiness in their lives.

What I find interesting is that, in a show filled with "very special episodes", no one seemed to learn anything from them. Dana got pregnant even though there was an episode about teen pregnancy; she did drugs even though there were a couple of anti-drug episodes; she committed robbery - didn't she learn anything when Arnold stole that comic book?! Yet she (and Todd Bridges) ended up having these problems in real life. So it makes me wonder if they were just ignorant of the lessons learned from doing this show, or if their personal problems clouded their judgment so much that they didn't realize the trouble they'd be getting into.

^^^Doing a sitcom abt special episodes is just that, a sitcom with special episodes. Do you honestly think people who do tv sitcoms are really learning life's lessons? If that were the case then no tv star should have problems.

The sitcom world and the real world are two different things.

^^^Doing a sitcom abt special episodes is just that, a sitcom with special episodes. Do you honestly think people who do tv sitcoms are really learning life's lessons? If that were the case then no tv star should have problems.

I was thinking that there would have been some exposure to the problems caused by the subjects of each of these episodes, and that maybe they would have learned something from them. I know I grew up watching a lot of these shows and learned some of the lessons they taught. I figured the people who actually appeared in them might have, too.

I was thinking that there would have been some exposure to the problems caused by the subjects of each of these episodes, and that maybe they would have learned something from them. I know I grew up watching a lot of these shows and learned some of the lessons they taught. I figured the people who actually appeared in them might have, too.
Easier said than done.

^^^Doing a sitcom abt special episodes is just that, a sitcom with special episodes. Do you honestly think people who do tv sitcoms are really learning life's lessons? If that were the case then no tv star should have problems.

The sitcom world and the real world are two different things.right irene and also the actor are so busy learning lines and worrying about the show itself that they really dont have time to stop and think about learning anything but the next script

Some people can handle the pressure, and others can't. Freddie Prinze is another example.

Some people can handle the pressure, and others can't. Freddie Prinze is another example.
We can make a list that is endless of actors and actresses who have hit rock bottom. Some of whom never made it back alive.

You'd have to be naive to think that money, looks and fame guarantee you happiness or that one should be happy and appreciative:

GG Allin, cult psychopathic punk rock singer and country and western singer who fronted The Jabbers, The Scumfucs, The Murder Junkies among other bands.
Matthew Ansara, actor, son of Michael Ansara and Barbara Eden
Bridgette Andersen, child actress, Savannah Smiles
John Belushi, comedian/actor
Len Bias, college basketball star
Tommy Bolin, Deep Purple musician
Elisa Bridges, Playboy Playmate
Lenny Bruce, comedian
Tim Buckley, musician
Casey Calvert, Hawthorne Heights Musician
Ken Caminiti, baseball player
Truman Capote, writer
Steve Clark, Def Leppard musician
Montgomery Clift, actor
Dorothy Dandridge, actress
Nick Drake, musician
Kevin DuBrow, musician
Bobby Duncum, Jr., professional wrestler
John Entwistle, musician
Brian Epstein, Beatles manager
Chris Farley, comedian/actor
Rainer Werner Fassbinder, film director
Keith Ferguson, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, musician
Judy Garland, musician/actress
Trevor Goddard, actor
Tim Hardin, musician
Bobby Hatfield, musician (fatal heart attack was triggered by a cocaine overdose)
Mitch Hedberg, comedian/actor
Margaux Hemingway, model/actress
Jimi Hendrix, musician (sleeping pills)
Curt Hennig, professional wrestler, also known as Mr. Perfect
Billie Holiday, jazz singer, composer
Shannon Hoon, musician
Elizabeth Ann Hulette, Professional wresting valet, also known as Miss Elizabeth
Anissa Jones, actress
Russell Jones, musician (overdose on cocaine and prescription painkillers)
Janis Joplin, musician
John Kordic, hockey player
Heath Ledger, actor
Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb, American football player
Sonny Liston, world champion boxer (possible)
Donyale Luna, model
Phil Lynott, musician
Frankie Lymon, musician
David McComb, musician
Aimee Semple McPherson, evangelist
Jonathan Melvoin, musician
Keith Moon, musician
Marilyn Monroe, actress (death of a barbiturate overdose has still not been proven)
Jim Morrison, musician (fatal heart attack triggered by a heroin overdose)
Brad Nowell, musician, Sublime
Lani O'Grady, actress, Eight Is Enough
Bryan Ottoson, musician
Marco Pantani, cyclist
Gram Parsons, musician
Robert Pastorelli, actor
Christopher Pettiet, actor
Christopher Penn, actor
Kristen Pfaff, musician
River Phoenix, actor
Rob Pilatus, acting singer Milli Vanilli
Dana Plato, actress
Edgar Allan Poe, author (one of several possible theories; see Death of Edgar Allan Poe)
Elvis Presley, musician
Freddie Prinze, comic, actor Chico and the Man, self-inflicted gunshot wound while under the influence of Quaaludes
Glenn Quinn, actor
Dee Dee Ramone, musician
Elis Regina, Brazilian singer
Brad Renfro, actor
Don Rogers, American football player
Bon Scott, singer AC/DC, Aspiration brought on by alcohol intoxication
Edie Sedgwick, model/actress
Bobby Sheehan musician, Blues Traveler
Eric Show baseball player
Tom Simpson, cyclist
Hillel Slovak guitarist, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Anna Nicole Smith actress and media celebrity
Layne Staley, musician
Gary Thain, bass guitarist Uriah Heep
Ike Turner, musician, bandleader, talent scout
Enrique Urquijo, Spanish musician
Sid Vicious, musician
Andrew Wood, musician and singer
Paula Yates, TV personality

^ How about Peter Deuel (Alias Smith & Jones)?

Rest In Peace Dana. You're in a better place now.

Here's some more.

Adam Rich, actor (substance abuse)
Jodie Sweetin, actress (meth/coke)
Lauren Chapin, actress (heroin)
Mackenzie Phillips, actress (substance abuse)
Judy Garland, actress (alcohol)
Michael Jackson, musician (anorexia/prescription drugs)
Maureen McCormik, actress (coke)
Brian Bonsall, actor (who knows)
Hank Williams Sr., musician (alcohol)
Keith Whitley, musician (acohol)
Paul Petterson, actor (alcohol)
Karen Carpenter, musician (anorexia)
Mary McDonough, actress (anorexia)
Mary-Kate Olsen, actress (anorexia)

Yes, sometimes fame, high ambitions, and brutal reality just don't mix. :(

Rest In Peace Dana. You're in a better place now.

Rest In Peace Dana. You always made me smile. :)

Rest in Peace Dana. Your fans will never forget you. :)

Dana's story was tragic. I really wish she would have found peace. RIP Dana.

I still think the brain trust at DS should've taken a chance and written Dana's pregnancy into the show. DS dealt with special issues all the time, so why not have Kimberly sleep with a boy, regret it, have him leave, get pregnant and raise the baby as a single mom? Sure, it would've been a big risk but they could've reaped a big payoff. They could show what teen pregnancy and single teen moms' real life situations often are - educating the audience and giving Dana a chance to sink her teeth into some meaty material. Alas, we'll never know now.

Here's some more.

Adam Rich, actor (substance abuse)
Jodie Sweetin, actress (meth/coke)
Lauren Chapin, actress (heroin)
Mackenzie Phillips, actress (substance abuse)
Judy Garland, actress (alcohol)
Michael Jackson, musician (anorexia/prescription drugs)
Maureen McCormik, actress (coke)
Brian Bonsall, actor (who knows)
Hank Williams Sr., musician (alcohol)
Keith Whitley, musician (acohol)
Paul Petterson, actor (alcohol)
Karen Carpenter, musician (anorexia)
Mary McDonough, actress (anorexia)
Mary-Kate Olsen, actress (anorexia)

Yes, sometimes fame, high ambitions, and brutal reality just don't mix. :(

And dont forget Jim Varney. the actor that played Ernest. He died from smoking. Yeah smoking is another killer.I'm glad that I never started smoking.And country music star Jerry Reed died from smoking.
And then theres George Reeves-the man that played Superman in the 50's. Did he kill himself? Or was he murderd?

Dana had been using prescription drugs and cocaine since she had been on Diff'rent Strokes. It was problem that was never solved. People expect celebrities to be super-humans and somehow solve their problems (especially substance abuse) on their own without any help and support- they're just like regular people. I feel nothing but sympathy for Dana, especially since she's dead now.

I still think the brain trust at DS should've taken a chance and written Dana's pregnancy into the show. DS dealt with special issues all the time, so why not have Kimberly sleep with a boy, regret it, have him leave, get pregnant and raise the baby as a single mom? Sure, it would've been a big risk but they could've reaped a big payoff. They could show what teen pregnancy and single teen moms' real life situations often are - educating the audience and giving Dana a chance to sink her teeth into some meaty material. Alas, we'll never know now.
It would have been better than focusing the show so much on Sam all the time. lol I think DS JTS when Dana left.

Check out this footage of Dana:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOJJ9zmVCow

It would have been better than focusing the show so much on Sam all the time. lol I think DS JTS when Dana left.

I agree.I Never did care for Sam. Heck who did?
I dont think any shows that added a new kid worked?I know The Brady Bunch was doomed as soon as Oliver arived. The same for Diffrent Strokes when Sam arived. The kids was getting older so they throw in a new kid into the mix.The problem was that no one cared for these new kids.So people tuned out.Thos killing the show.

Here's some more.

Adam Rich, actor (substance abuse)
Jodie Sweetin, actress (meth/coke)
Lauren Chapin, actress (heroin)
Mackenzie Phillips, actress (substance abuse)
Judy Garland, actress (alcohol)
Michael Jackson, musician (anorexia/prescription drugs)
Maureen McCormik, actress (coke)
Brian Bonsall, actor (who knows)
Hank Williams Sr., musician (alcohol)
Keith Whitley, musician (acohol)
Paul Petterson, actor (alcohol)
Karen Carpenter, musician (anorexia)
Mary McDonough, actress (anorexia)
Mary-Kate Olsen, actress (anorexia)

Yes, sometimes fame, high ambitions, and brutal reality just don't mix. :(

When I saw this list I did a double take because not all of these are dead. I had to do a search to make sure Jodie Sweetin was still with us (she is), as are Maureen McCormick (Marcia Brady) and Mary McDonough (Erin Walton).

Adam Rich, Mackenzie Phillips, Brian Bonsall, and Paul Peterson are all still alive as well.

I still think the brain trust at DS should've taken a chance and written Dana's pregnancy into the show. DS dealt with special issues all the time, so why not have Kimberly sleep with a boy, regret it, have him leave, get pregnant and raise the baby as a single mom? Sure, it would've been a big risk but they could've reaped a big payoff. They could show what teen pregnancy and single teen moms' real life situations often are - educating the audience and giving Dana a chance to sink her teeth into some meaty material. Alas, we'll never know now.

Monika, the reason why they did it that way was because it was the '80s. If Kimberly had a child on the show, they would have hastily married the character off because the networks and the moral majority would have been up in arms over it. An unmarried girl having a child on a TV sitcom, even in the eighties, was more or less forbidden.

Times were different back then. Although the seventies expanded the parameters for issues that TV shows could address, America was going through a conservativism ushered in by Ronald Reagan's presidency. The Moral Majority was this watchdog group that threatened networks with sponsor boycotts if they aired anything that didn't agree with what they thought was moral and proper.

Check this link to read more about the so-called "moral" majority:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_Majority

Monika, the reason why they did it that way was because it was the '80s. If Kimberly had a child on the show, they would have hastily married the character off because the networks and the moral majority would have been up in arms over it. An unmarried girl having a child on a TV sitcom, even in the eighties, was more or less forbidden.

Times were different back then. Although the seventies expanded the parameters for issues that TV shows could address, America was going through a conservativism ushered in by Ronald Reagan's presidency. The Moral Majority was this watchdog group that threatened networks with sponsor boycotts if they aired anything that didn't agree with what they thought was moral and proper.

Check this link to read more about the so-called "moral" majority:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_Majority
Good point. Granted, I was just a little kid during the 80s so I don't remember much of anything about the Reagan administration.

Good point. Granted, I was just a little kid during the 80s so I don't remember much of anything about the Reagan administration.

It was one of those things that seemed good at the time, but later we found out that not all of it was.

Andrew Koenig
Corey Haim

Some very interesting thoughts on Dana.
RIP beautiful Dana.

If Dana was on the Facts of Life, they probably would not have fired her for being pregnant (the drugs would be a completely different issue), but since Different Strokes was more "family oriented", they didn't want to deal with the teen pregnancy issue.

Yet none of the 10 Facts of Life kids ever had the issues that the Different Strokes kids had. Sure they had divorces and some tax issues, but never any arrests or any known substance abuse problems.

Hi,

Unfortunately there was probably an awful lot more going on in Dana's life to enable her to be part of Fact's of life, although there was strong rumours that she was meant to be part of the main cast.

I think she probably needed a lot more help for other problems. Unfortunately she had no proper parenting, ensuring that someone had control of her well being. Her mum was ill and in todays world she would have been put on the at risk register and possibly fostered again.

Monika, the reason why they did it that way was because it was the '80s. If Kimberly had a child on the show, they would have hastily married the character off because the networks and the moral majority would have been up in arms over it. An unmarried girl having a child on a TV sitcom, even in the eighties, was more or less forbidden.

Times were different back then. Although the seventies expanded the parameters for issues that TV shows could address, America was going through a conservativism ushered in by Ronald Reagan's presidency. The Moral Majority was this watchdog group that threatened networks with sponsor boycotts if they aired anything that didn't agree with what they thought was moral and proper.

Check this link to read more about the so-called "moral" majority:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_Majority

It probably would also seem out of character for Kimberly Drummond since she was supposed to be this wholesome (mentalitch.com/facts-you-didnt-know-about-diffrent-strokes/), "spoiled-sweet" (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SpoiledSweet), good girl (https://www.tmz.com/2006/09/12/dana-platos-son-files-wrongful-death-suit/).

It probably would also seem out of character for Kimberly Drummond since she was supposed to be this wholesome (http://mentalitch.com/facts-you-didnt-know-about-diffrent-strokes/), "spoiled-sweet" (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SpoiledSweet), good girl (https://www.tmz.com/2006/09/12/dana-platos-son-files-wrongful-death-suit/).

... and beat out Felice Schachter for the wholesome, spoiled-sweet, "all-American" girl. Felice was apparently from Lithuania or somewhere else barbaric. :lol:

It probably would also seem out of character for Kimberly Drummond since she was supposed to be this wholesome (mentalitch.com/facts-you-didnt-know-about-diffrent-strokes/), "spoiled-sweet" (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SpoiledSweet), good girl (https://www.tmz.com/2006/09/12/dana-platos-son-files-wrongful-death-suit/).

Exactly. TV morality back then was such that good girls didn't do anything that was considered immoral or unreasonable. Good girls might kiss a boy, but that's as far as it went.

Times change.