The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Actor›Dana Plato
Entertainment • Actor

Dana Plato

Dana Plato was an American actress best known for playing Kimberly Drummond on the television sitcom *Diff'rent Strokes*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dana Plato was an American actress best known for playing Kimberly Drummond on the television sitcom *Diff'rent Strokes*. She was born Dana Michelle Strain on November 7, 1964, and was adopted as a child. Plato’s later life was marked by substance abuse, legal problems, and her death in 1999 from a drug overdose that was ruled a suicide.

Early life

Dana Plato was born Dana Michelle Strain in Maywood, California, and was adopted in infancy by Dean and Kay Plato. She was raised in the San Fernando Valley.

Acting career

Plato began appearing in screen roles as a child and became widely known for portraying Kimberly Drummond on *Diff'rent Strokes*. The role made her a recognized child star in American television.

Personal life and later years

Plato’s later years were marked by substance abuse, legal trouble, and reduced career opportunities. Sources also describe a difficult personal life and financial struggles.

Death

Plato was found dead on May 8, 1999, in her motor home in Moore, Oklahoma. Her death was attributed to a prescription-drug overdose and later ruled a suicide.

Key facts

  • Plato began acting as a child and appeared in television work before gaining wider recognition on *Diff'rent Strokes*.
  • She played Kimberly Drummond on *Diff'rent Strokes* from 1978 to 1986.
  • She was adopted by Dean and Kay Plato and raised in Southern California.
  • She had one child during her marriage to guitarist Lanny Lambert.
  • She died on May 8, 1999, in Moore, Oklahoma, from an overdose of prescription drugs; the death was ruled a suicide.
🍁
Canadian context

Dana Plato was known to Canadian television audiences through syndicated and later rerun broadcasts of *Diff'rent Strokes*, which also aired widely in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Dana Plato?
Dana Plato was an American actress best known for her role as Kimberly Drummond on *Diff'rent Strokes*.
What was Dana Plato’s birth name?
Her birth name was Dana Michelle Strain.
What show is Dana Plato most associated with?
She is most associated with the NBC sitcom *Diff'rent Strokes*, where she played Kimberly Drummond.
When was Dana Plato born?
She was born on November 7, 1964.
How did Dana Plato die?
She died on May 8, 1999, from an overdose of prescription drugs; the death was ruled a suicide.
Did Dana Plato have children?
Yes. She had one child, born in 1984, during her marriage to guitarist Lanny Lambert.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Plato
    Supports: Birth name, birth and death dates and places, occupation, years active, known-for role, marriage and child, and death details.
  2. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/actors/dana-plato
    Supports: Birth and adoption background, *Diff'rent Strokes* role, later-life struggles, and death.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0686818/bio/
    Supports: Birth name, birthplace, acting career timeline, and death circumstances.
  4. Turner Classic Movies — https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/153179%7C0/Dana-Plato
    Supports: Early career context, *Diff'rent Strokes* role, and death by overdose.
  5. People — https://people.com/dana-plato-diffrent-strokes-child-star-death-11824697
    Supports: Career prominence, death, and ruling of suicide.