Dana Plato

Dana Plato biography

Dana Plato was offered the role of Regan MacNeil in "The Exorcist" (1973), but her breakthrough role would prove to be as Kimberly Drummond in the TV sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes" (1978-84). She was arrested in 1991 for armed robbery and again in 1992 for forging a valium prescription. She died May 8, 1999 at 34 years old of what appeared to be an accidental overdose of a painkiller called Loritab. A coroner's inquest later ruled her death a suicide due to the large amount of drugs in her body and history of past suicide attempts.

Quote

"When the role came along I was very happy to do it because this is life. It's something people need to see and recognize and get healthy about. In my opinion it's not about gay or straight or bi; but attracted to spirits whatever body they're in. There's other reasons too, but that's how I see it. With women and women I think there´s an understanding. Nobody knows what a woman feels or experiences but another woman. We are the nurturers and there are times when we need to be nurtured."