The Tragic Final Interview: 5 Shocking Revelations Dana Plato Made To Howard Stern Before Her Death

The tragic final chapter of former child star Dana Plato’s life is permanently linked to an explosive, and ultimately heartbreaking, appearance on *The Howard Stern Show*. On May 7, 1999, the actress, best known as Kimberly Drummond on the hit sitcom *Diff'rent Strokes*, sat down for what would become her last public interview, a candid and often brutal exchange that took place just one day before her untimely death.

The interview, conducted by the "King of All Media," was highly controversial, sparking a decades-long debate about media responsibility, celebrity exploitation, and the intense pressure faced by child actors. This article, updated for December 2025, delves into the specific revelations made by Plato, the controversial nature of Stern's questioning, and the devastating aftermath that cemented the segment's place as one of the most tragic moments in talk radio history.

Dana Plato: A Brief Biography and Tragic Profile

Dana Michelle Plato (née Strain) was born on November 7, 1964, in Maywood, California. Her life was marked by early fame and subsequent devastating struggles, mirroring the so-called "Diff'rent Strokes Curse" that plagued several of her co-stars.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

• Full Name: Dana Michelle Plato (née Strain)
• Born: November 7, 1964, in Maywood, California
• Died: May 8, 1999, in Moore, Oklahoma (Age 34)
• Cause of Death: Drug overdose (ruled a suicide)
• Adoptive Parents: Dean and Florine Plato
• Famous Role: Kimberly Drummond on *Diff'rent Strokes* (1978–1986)
• Departure from Show: She was written off the show in 1984 after becoming pregnant with her son.
• Spouse: Lanny Lambert (m. 1984; div. 1990)
• Child: Tyler Lambert (1984–2010)
• Later Career: Appeared in low-budget films, posed for *Playboy*, and worked in the burgeoning video game industry as a voice actor.
• Legal Troubles: Arrested for armed robbery of a video store in 1991 and for prescription forgery in 1992.

Plato's post-*Diff'rent Strokes* life was a public spiral of addiction, financial hardship, and legal issues. By 1999, she was living out of a motor home in Oklahoma, a stark contrast to the millionaire's daughter she portrayed on television.

The Controversial May 7, 1999, Appearance on The Howard Stern Show

Dana Plato's appearance on *The Howard Stern Show* on May 7, 1999, was intended to promote a new low-budget film, but it quickly devolved into a deeply personal and uncomfortable interrogation. The interview is now widely viewed as a prime example of the exploitative nature of shock-jock radio, especially given the tragic events that followed within 24 hours.

Plato, who was promoting her B-movie work and attempting a career resurgence, was met with a skeptical and often hostile line of questioning from Howard Stern and his team. The focus quickly shifted from her career to her past struggles, her financial situation, and her sobriety.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

The Five Shocking Revelations and Moments from the Interview

The conversation was a raw and unfiltered look into the life of a fallen child star. These are the most critical and controversial moments that defined Dana Plato's final interview:

1. The Candid Discussion of Addiction and Sobriety

Plato was open about her history of substance abuse, including her struggles with prescription pills, marijuana, and cocaine, which began under the pressures of sudden fame.

However, during the interview, she insisted she was clean and sober. Stern and his co-hosts, including Baba Booey (Gary Dell'Abate), were highly skeptical. The line of questioning was aggressive, with Stern repeatedly challenging her claims of sobriety, implying she was lying to the audience.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

2. The Demand for a Drug Test and the Hair Sample Controversy

Perhaps the most disturbing element of the interview was the on-air demand for Dana Plato to submit to a drug test. To prove her claim of being clean, Stern suggested she provide a hair sample right there in the studio.

Plato's apparent reluctance or hesitation to comply with the spontaneous and humiliating request was immediately interpreted by Stern as an admission of guilt. This moment fueled the controversy, with critics arguing that the pressure and public shaming were cruel and unnecessary.

3. Revealing Financial Desperation and Past Crimes

Plato spoke openly about her dire financial situation. She had lost most of her earnings from *Diff'rent Strokes* and was living a transient life.

She also addressed her highly publicized legal troubles, including her 1991 arrest for the armed robbery of a video store and her 1992 arrest for forging a prescription for Valium. She attributed these desperate acts to her addiction and the collapse of her career.

4. The Audience Poll on Her Sobriety

In a move that epitomized the shock-jock format, Stern asked his listeners to call in and vote on whether they believed Dana Plato was truly sober. The overwhelming majority of callers voted "no."

This public rejection and vote of no-confidence from the audience was a highly humiliating experience for Plato, who was visibly trying to maintain a facade of control and recovery. She was being judged by the public on her most personal struggles in real-time.

5. Her Attempts to Escape the "Kimberly Drummond" Typecasting

Plato lamented the difficulty of escaping her image as Kimberly Drummond, the wealthy, sweet-natured daughter from *Diff'rent Strokes*. She discussed taking on roles in low-budget films and posing for *Playboy* to try and shed the wholesome child-star persona, but found herself continually typecast or dismissed by Hollywood.

The Devastating Aftermath and Howard Stern's Reaction

The day after the interview, the world received devastating news. On May 8, 1999, Dana Plato was found dead in her motor home in Moore, Oklahoma. The cause was a fatal overdose of the painkiller Lortab and the muscle relaxant Valium. Her death was eventually ruled a suicide.

The Controversy Over Stern's Post-Death Comments

The immediate reaction to Plato's death was shock and a massive wave of criticism directed at Howard Stern. Many listeners and media critics accused him of contributing to her fragile mental state through the aggressive and humiliating nature of the interview.

Stern’s initial response to the controversy was defensive and, for many, insensitive. He told his audience that Plato had tried to avoid being drug tested on his show, suggesting her death was more about her addiction than the interview's pressure. This reaction only intensified the public backlash, further cementing the interview's legacy as a tragic moment of media exploitation.

The Continuing Legacy of the 'Diff'rent Strokes Curse'

Dana Plato's death at age 34 tragically compounded the perception of the "Diff'rent Strokes Curse." Co-star Gary Coleman also battled severe financial issues and died young, while Todd Bridges struggled with drug addiction and legal issues before achieving sobriety.

The interview serves as a chilling document of the pressures of child stardom, the unforgiving nature of the media, and the devastating consequences of addiction. For many, it remains a powerful cautionary tale about the need for compassion and responsibility in celebrity journalism.

In 2010, the tragedy extended to the next generation when Dana Plato's son, Tyler Lambert, died by suicide at age 25, just 11 years after his mother’s passing.