Warning: This article talks about a possible suicide. Please read carefully and take care of yourself.
Dana Plato was born on November 7, 1964, in Maywood, California. She was an actress best known for playing Kimberly Drummond, a caring character, on the popular TV show Diff’rent Strokes, which ran from 1978 to 1986. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, she became a teen idol.
Aside from Diff’rent Strokes, Dana appeared in many other TV shows and movies. According to IMDb, some of her TV appearances included The Six Million Dollar Man (1975), Family (1976), What Really Happened to the Class of ’65? (1978), Hello, Larry (three episodes), The Facts of Life (1979), CHiPs (1979 and 1980), High School U.S.A. (1983), The Love Boat (1974), and Growing Pains (1985).
Dana Plato appeared in several movies, including Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977), Return to Boggy Creek (1977), California Suite (1978), and Prime Suspect (1989), along with some smaller, less known films.
Sadly, Dana passed away on May 8, 1999, in Moore, Oklahoma, at just 34 years old. People wonder what led to such a heartbreaking and early end to her life.
How did Dana Plato die?
According to her IMDb bio and other sources, Dana Plato’s death at first seemed to be an accidental overdose of the painkiller “Loritab.” But 13 days later, on May 21, 1999, a coroner ruled her death a suicide because of the large amount of drugs in her system and her past attempts to take her own life. Some of her friends and people who knew her disagreed with this ruling.
On the day Dana Plato died, she had just done an interview with Howard Stern, hoping it would help restart her career. She and her fiancé, Robert Menchaca, who was also her manager, were on their way back to California in their motor home. They stopped at Menchaca’s parents’ house in Moore, Oklahoma, for a Mother’s Day weekend visit. Dana wasn’t feeling well, so she took some Lortab (a painkiller) and a muscle relaxer, then went to take a nap with her fiancé. When he woke up, he found her unresponsive next to him.
Dana Plato had been dealing with substance abuse for many years before her death. Her difficulties were often linked to the fact that she struggled to find more acting roles after Diff’rent Strokes ended.
We hope she has found peace now.
If you or someone you know is going through a tough time or is in crisis, help is available. You can call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. For international crisis resources, check the link provided.
The Heart-Wrenching Reason Why Mark Ruffalo Kept His Brain Tumor a Secret From His Wife
At times, our bodies seem to sense when something isn’t quite right. Actor Mark Ruffalo shared a fascinating story during his recent talk on a podcast. He got a bad dream that turned out to be unwanted reality.
Bad news came when they were expecting their first child.
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Back in 2001, while busy filming The Last Castle, doctors discovered a harmless brain tumor behind his left ear. What’s intriguing is that Ruffalo had a strange dream before this, almost like a warning. He felt compelled to see a doctor urgently after the dream, even though he didn’t have any obvious symptoms except for a minor ear problem.
«It wasn’t like any other dream I had had. It wasn’t even a voice, it was just pure knowledge: ’You have a brain tumor, and you have to deal with it immediately,’» Rufallo shared.
Ruffalo had to make a hard decision in order to protect his wife.
Ruffalo was hesitant to worry his wife, who was about to have their first child, so he kept the news to himself until after the birth. When he finally told her, she was understandably upset saying, «I always knew you were gonna die young!»
Ruffalo underwent surgery to remove the tumor, but it wasn’t without risks. There was a chance he could lose his hearing or have facial paralysis. Sadly, he did lose his hearing in left ear permanently.
«Take my hearing, let me keep the face, and just let me be the father of this kid,» The Incredible Hulk actor recalled thinking at the time.
Despite these challenges, Ruffalo didn’t let them hold him back. He continued his acting career and even received his fourth Academy Award nomination. Alongside his professional success, he treasures his role as a father to his three children: Keen, Bella Noche, and Odette.
Mark Ruffalo’s heartfelt tribute to his wife, Sunrise, reflects their enduring love story. Despite humble beginnings, Ruffalo’s rise to Hollywood stardom was accompanied by Sunrise’s unwavering support and companionship. She played a significant role in his life journey, standing by him through thick and thin, showcasing the strength of their bond and partnership.
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