Dana Plato, once a beloved child star known for her role as Kimberly on Diff’rent Strokes, tragically passed away at the age of 34. Her story is one of immense talent, heartbreak, and exploitation—especially at the hands of Howard Stern, whose infamous interview with Dana is now widely considered one of the most disgusting and damaging moments in entertainment history.

 

 

Dana Plato’s career skyrocketed when she was just 13, landing the role of Kimberly on the hit sitcom Diff’rent Strokes. The show became a cultural phenomenon, making stars of its young cast, including Dana, Gary Coleman, and Todd Bridges. However, behind the fame, Dana was exposed to the darker side of Hollywood. As she grew older, the pressures of stardom and the lack of proper support took a toll on her mental health. She turned to alcohol, drugs, and unhealthy coping mechanisms, which would haunt her for years.

 

By the age of 19, Dana’s personal life spiraled out of control. She became pregnant, and in 1983, producers of Diff’rent Strokes wrote her off the show, fearing that her personal issues would damage the wholesome image of the series. This was the start of a downward spiral that included failed marriages, financial struggles, and increasing substance abuse. Dana struggled to find meaningful roles, turning to B-movies and even adult films in an attempt to revive her career. But the more she tried to regain her footing, the more her demons consumed her.

 

 

In 1991, Dana was arrested for robbing a video store in Las Vegas, a desperate act to make ends meet. She was sentenced to probation but continued her struggles with drugs and alcohol. Despite numerous attempts at rehab and a few fleeting moments of sobriety, Dana’s life remained in turmoil. By the late 1990s, Dana Plato was a shadow of the star she once was.

 

In 1999, Dana decided to appear on The Howard Stern Show in an attempt to rebuild her image and prove that she was sober. Unfortunately, this would be her final public appearance. Howard Stern, known for his cruel and often exploitative style, saw Dana as nothing more than a target for mockery. Instead of offering support or compassion, Stern and his callers relentlessly attacked Dana. Stern repeatedly accused her of being high, mocking her appearance and voice, and even suggesting that she was a “junkie.”

 

 

Dana, visibly shaken, tried to defend herself, offering to take a drug test to prove she was sober. Despite her desperate attempts to gain some dignity in the face of cruelty, Stern continued to humiliate her. When she agreed to provide a hair sample for a drug test, Stern continued to mock her, pushing her further into a fragile state.

 

The abuse didn’t stop there. Stern allowed callers to berate her, calling her names and belittling her struggles. One caller even said, “I think you’re a junky has-been and you belong in a mental hospital.” The cruelty and lack of empathy displayed by Stern and his audience were staggering, considering Dana’s well-documented struggles with addiction and mental health. Instead of offering a supportive environment, Stern used Dana’s fragility as a source of entertainment.

 

 

Sadly, less than 24 hours after the interview, Dana Plato was found dead in an RV in Oklahoma, where she had been staying with her fiancé. The cause of death was later ruled as an overdose, though it was also determined that it was likely a suicide. Dana had been battling substance abuse for years, but it was clear that the public humiliation she endured during the Howard Stern interview had pushed her to her breaking point.