Given her upbringing and what not, do y'all think she ever had a chance?
Oh, and the only way to get good at the FMV title Night Trap is to play it over and over again (says the AVGN).
Even her son didn't have much of a chance, having died 11 years after her.
Had a chance at what? At making it in Hollywood?
The fact is, she was very successful but success can come at a price. Once you reach that pinnacle, it's hard to stay there. Her days on Diff'rent Strokes were going to be her best moments, unfortunately for her that would be the height of her success.
Although, not an excuse for her to do what she did. I heard a quote in a movie recently that went like this... 'only crass, self-indulgent people kill themselves'.
Now, whether or not that's true in Dana's case and her son, we probably won't ever know. But I do think there is some truth to it, judging from my experience with people that are flaky like this.
Btw, that quote was from a film called "Jackie". It's based on the final moments of JFK's life from Jackie Kennedy's point of view. Very quotable movie. Has a lot of good dialogue in it.
Although, not an excuse for her to do what she did. I heard a quote in a movie recently that went like this... 'only crass, self-indulgent people kill themselves'.
Sorry to hear that strntz.
I am always shocked to hear when people do this and I probably start looking for reasons as to why they do it rather than just feeling depressed.
I know depression can run pretty deep among some people.
So, maybe we can conclude that most people don't really know why they do it. If we did, we could prevent it most of the time. I've known a few people that have done it but they seemed very flaky to begin with. Sad stuff...
Let me tell you a true story: about 1986 or so I became depressed, only I was actually unaware I was - the bleakness and hopelessness of the world just seemed so normal. I certainly had no reason to be depressed - I was newly married, we owned our own home, we had two newish cars, and we both made a lot more than our monthly expenses. My wife was my best friend then and has been every minute since we met in 1979 (and is to this day). The point is that if anyone had zero reason to be depressed, it was me.
On the outside, no one knew this, and I didn't recognize what I was feeling as depression, I just thought the world as a whole sucked. Even my wife, who is extraordinarily intuitive, didn't notice any outward change in me.
My first inkling it was depression as opposed to an accurate feeling about the world in general was when I stopped at a business I knew well. As usual, I walked by the secretary's desk heading towards the coffee machine and gave Adrienne (older woman) my usual big smile and hello as usual. She asked me how I was, and I commented (with that same smile) that I was just waiting to get old and die, more of a joke than anything but there was some truth to it. Her expression changed and she followed me to the coffee pot where she asked me directly if I was depressed. I laughed and told her no, but it caught me off guard and made me think a bit.
When spring came (New England) and the sun was out more and the weather warmed, my funk started lifting. By May I was my old self full of optimism. It was only after I returned to normal did I realize that I *wasn't* normal during that three month period of depression. Since that time, I haven't experienced anything close to that winter of '86 and I suspect it's that I recognize that when I start feeling "blue", I know intellectually it's depression and that it's not a normal thought process.
I also know that what I experienced was *nothing* like what my younger brother goes through. He'll have several weeks where he just goes to his room and sleeps when he's not at work. Eventually, his medication was changed and as far as I know, he's been better for the last year.
Those who have never experienced depression can't really understand it.
Thanks for sharing that, strntz.
I suppose there's not much I can say because I don't get feelings like this. Does the climate often effect how you feel about life in general?
I do kind of like rainy weather, but my friends find it odd. lol...
That was a singular event but it left a lasting impression. I've been fine since that one episode. I would go out on a limb and say that a significant part of the population suffers some minor depression at times.
But consider: the strongest hard-wired instinct we all share is the instinct of self preservation. Imagine what must go wrong when the emotional pain of living exceeds the will to live. People who have never experienced that type of depression (and I don't think I got anywhere near that level - I was *never* suicidal) have a hard time understanding it. I didn't either until I had that one episode, mild as it was.
Re: understanding things we haven't experienced: I have a couple of personality quirks which I believe are a bit unusual. One is that I'm not competitive. I played softball, baseball, and golf, and the best thing about it was actually playing, which I enjoyed immensely. Winning? Yeah, it was fun and then I went home and forgot about it. There were guys on my team that couldn't function for days after a loss. That's not me. When I got into the batters box, I had to work to screw up enough competitiveness to hit well. I was able to do that in 20 second spurts I guess. Some guys had their game face on all day and the next. Not me.
The point is that I just don't understand competitiveness.
My other quirk is that I don't have a temper. I can get mad certainly, but I watch TV shows like Dr. Phil and wonder how people get to the point where they punch their wife, or start bar fights, or just rage in general. I don't understand it (or competitiveness) but I recognize that it clearly exists even though I never experienced either.
I hear ya...
It's hard to grasp what others are going through if you've never experienced it.
Dr Phil has some really odd guests. I thought his show was pretty good about 6 or 7 years ago but it's gone downhill. I can't believe some of the people he gets on his show that fell for one of those internet love scams.
One lady gave away over a million dollars to someone she has never met in person or saw on a webcam simply because she thought the man loved her. crazy stuff...
One lady gave away over a million dollars to someone she has never met in person or saw on a webcam simply because she thought the man loved her. crazy...
I feel sorry for you bro.
shareIt's not true all the time. Depression runs in families (it runs in mine). My younger brother attempted suicide and two of my cousins actually did. None of them were crass or self-indulgent.
Sorry to hear that.
Just another kid hollyweird chews up and spits out.
The price of fame comes with a heavy toll. What these kids see and ensure is soul breaking.
Drugs helps numb things, but what these kids go through is horrible.
Real sick industry.
Bloodworth, I would to say Plato's case is actually a rare thing in Hollywood.
The truth is, most well known kid actors go on to have successful careers as adults.
Examples...
Kirsten Dunst
Elijah Wood
Christian Bale
Leonardo DiCaprio
Henry Thomas
Dakota Fanning
and dozens more....
They were all young actors that went on to make it in Hollywood. Plato's biggest mistake was probably getting involved with drugs. That is really no one's fault per se. Some people are just susceptible to it.
Those actors just hide their abuse a little better. They were all most likely taken advantage of to have the position of success they have.
The hollyweird elites look at actors as scum, something easily replaceable if they don't play ball.
They turn to drugs to try and forget the abuse they endured for the price of fame.
Lol... what you wrote would make for a good Lifetime movie.
Listen, I'm not crazy about the industry because I do think fame does odd things to people but to say EVERY kid is abused is a rather bold statement to make.
In fact, the only former kid actor I can think of off the top of my head that has spoken out against the industry is Corey Feldman and his claims are highly suspect.
Again, it's a rarity when someone ends up like Plato.
Lol ok, a Lifetime movie. Your naivety is the IRL of the meme “the media can’t be controlled by lying psychopaths, because that would be reported all over over the media”
shareIf you have some proof that Hollywood is controlled by some underground group of pedos and child abusers, post a link. Until then, you're just guessing.
I've actually demonstrated that this is not likely the case because of the number of successful people that were once child stars that go on the become successful adult stars.
Again, I'm not crazy about the industry and the way they handle certain situations but that doesn't mean there is a massive conspiracy behind it. So, the ball is on your side of the court. Give us all the details you have that would prove Hollywood is run by a cult of child abusers that don't care one bit about actors.
I agree with your points. I accept the fact that Dakota Fanning (her sister included) grew up into attractive women after having made the perfect Barbie doll as kids.
sharePerfect dolls? Are you trying to say they were groomed to be Hollywood material? lol....
They kind of remind me of the Olsen twins. The O twins are probably the most successful kid actors of all time but it is hard to watch them both deal with anorexia.
I'm not so worried about the Fanning girls being "attractive women" but I am glad to see that they seem to be doing okay.
I was worried about Dakota for a while but it looks like she's going to have a long career and probably her sister too. Elle is perhaps the better actor of the two.
You might have a point.
shareTrue, plus many have gone into other ventures, they get a college education, invest wisely, shun the wild life, etc. But it also depends on their home life as well.
shareIt was her own fault she got involved with drugs, unless someone tied her down and put them into her body until she was addicted. Beginning to use drugs and continuing to use them is a decision. Becoming addicted is the result of the decision.
shareI think she had far more opportunities than your average kid. It seems like she never thought the success would end and didn't plan for it. Given she was only a co star on the show she should have known it wasn't going to be easy once the show ended.
But she probably didn't think it would ever end.
That is so true, Mustang.
And it holds water when it comes to other industries too. So many former pro athletes end up broke after their time spent in a pro sports league.
Last stat I heard was 70% of all NBA players end up broke within 5 years after leaving the sport.
People don't think about the future. Either they have a poor management team giving them bad advice or they just don't listen to good advice.
If I could say one thing, sports is better as a side hobby. After all, my little brother is a sports nut. Just wanted to put it out there.
shareI love sports but I've seen it do some real damage to people. People will often complain about pageant mothers and what "they do to their daughters" but sport fathers can be worse in some situations.
sharePeople don't think about the future. Either they have a poor management team giving them bad advice or they just don't listen to good advice.
Good point about lottery winners blowing their fortune. I've watched a few documentaries on this very topic. There are times when actually winning it makes their lives worse instead of better.
It's usually a good idea to live within your means. Don't try to be too flashy and whatnot. I've had a few of my closest family members make this mistake and it cost them dearly.
Lack of self-discipline is surely to blame in most situations. I honestly don't know enough about Plato to say if this was one of her issues but it very well could have been. According to online sources, she was making about 22k an episode when she was on Diff'rent Strokes and I would imagine she blew most of it but I also read on Wikipedia that her accountant ripped her off. Which also happens to people that have money, they get scammed.
It's hard to tell just who you can trust when you have a name and money.
Ironically we are told not to think or worry about the future and live in the now! The problem.is what do we do when tomorrow comes.
shareSports is something that is precarious as it is based on age and physicality. An injury that for most people would be minor can be career ending for an athlete not to mention athletes are constantly risking injury, especially in contact sports.
So athletes really should be thinking about their after sports plan. Like the rock stars of the 70's and 80's these guys usually tend to live very fast and free and squander their money. I get it as what they do would be high pressure with lots of spoils to enjoy but again, what happens when it ends? And with sports, it will end.
Acting is different. Potentially you could keep acting right through to your elderly years if you wanted to. But Dana was never a great actress and she didn't hone her skills. Not to mention she like the rest of the cast were typecast.
A lot of actors become producers, directors, writers etc. They diversify, again Dana didn't seem to do that. She also appeared to fall out with the wrong people and that was the end of her.
It's quite fascinating to think about college athletes and their final game as seniors. Most of them won't make it into the NFL/NBA/MLB etc....
Wow... all those years of risking a serious injury and don't even get a chance at making money in the pros.
But that's the chance you take with sports. It's a gamble to some extent. You're risking your body for the chance that maybe you can make a fortune some day but if they don't make it, at least most of them earn a degree I suppose.
Personally, I wouldn't even advise someone to play football. Too risky in my view.
My little brother ran track and field in high school, are y'all going to say it was too risky for him?
shareI think anytime you pin all your hopes on one thing it is risky. A lot of athletes put everything into it and when it doesn't work out or they get injured or the dream ends for whatever reason they have nothing else. Not so bad if they made it to the Pros and saved their money but if they never make it there, then what?
I watched Arnold Arnold Schwarzenegger doing a pep talk on success and how we do better without a back up plan etc and that is great if you succeed!
Back to Plato, it is also interesting to note that none of the juvenile cast did well after the show. Shavar Ross who played Dudley seemed to do better overall.
Mustang,
True about sports...
And yeah, I remember when Gary Coleman became a security guard for a short time.
And Todd Bridges made a slight comeback but for the most part, none of them did anything after this show.
But Coleman was probably the most successful after the show but it was short lived.
Conrad Bain was a great actor though. I always liked him...
As a kid I remember seeing Coleman's work outside of Diff'rent Strokes and even then I thought it was coming to an end for him. I know his story is a sad one, parents ripping him off etc.
shareDana Plato being typecast, I knew you were gonna say that.
This also happened to Anissa Jones as Buffy from Family Affair...and y'all know what happened to her.
Type casting happens to adult actors as well. Not many actors from MASH had much success after the show ended either. Quite common.
Typecasting may not be the exact right word but people get used to seeing an actor in a certain role and have problems adjusting to seeing them play someone else. I also put that down to actors just playing themselves rather than truly creating a character distinct from their own personality.
I think after being on Different Strokes for her teen years really turned her into a very bitter person. Sometimes on Entertainment Tonight! they'd show the kids from Different Strokes being babysat in a room near the sound stage. They gave Gary Coleman a train set to play with..it looked so sad and boring I can imagine all three of them spending their formative years in the studio..eventually notice how they all became very negative, Todd Bridges went to jail for drugs, attempted murder. Gary Coleman got robbed by his parents, Dana got pregnant just to get the hell out of there. NBC was in the doldrums back then, it was a TV Network that didn't know how to do anything right. They definitely didn't take care of these kids for 10-12 hours every day of the week. Plus I doubt the parents did anything to help either.
I ran into CCH Pounder on a movie set in Iowa. She said she got paid a decent salary but her work hours were insane, mostly sitting and waiting, being on a movie set for weeks on end. She said actors consistently have 10 problems in their lives all the time..producers, executives, agents, managers have only 1 or 2 problems in their lives all the time but still get a nice, steady salary. I sensed A LOT of resentment.
You're right. And at least Todd Bridges is still alive and kicking ass. Even his son is kicking ass.
shareI do remember that, they definitely overworked those kids. And that story on Gary's parents basically ripping him off was really bad.
I am not sure if anything has changed in TV studios since then but I often wonder how they were able to get around the child labor laws.
I was wondering the same thing too.
shareHit show, big money. It was.the 70a and 80s a different time even if not that long ago. I read Drew Barrymore as a kid would go to nightclubs and get served alcohol. In the UK.they had the topless Page 3 girls in the tabloids, a lot of the models were 16 and it was perfectly legal.
Coleman and Bridges could have asked for hookers and they probably would have got them!
I knew you were going to say Drew Barrymore.
shareMustang,
I remember that about Drew. I read stories that she was allowed into clubs at age 10 or some crazy number like that.
And if I'm not mistaken, 16 is the legal age for porn in the UK. In the UK, you're considered an adult at 16. So, different culture in this regards.
Hell, it wasn't that long ago in the US when it as not that unusual for a girl to get married at 16.
It's now 18. In the 70's and 80's though a 16 year old could pose topless. Not sure about porn at the time though. My point was that it was a different time. 16 year old girls would date guys in their 20's and no one would think anything of it.
Just Drew getting in clubs at a stupid early age. I am not sure that would work so well now, if it would happen at all.
Yes, I do. I don't think she was ever going to be an A-list actress or anything, but between all the conventions that exist now, the "celebrity" reality shows, and so many acting opportunities that never existed before (all the streaming platforms with unlimited content, Lifetime, Hallmark, SyFy Channel original movies, etc.), I think she could've had a small resurgence.
share
I agree. She had the facial structure to be really good looking as a mature woman (yes, that's important in the entertainment biz). I can definitely see her in Hallmark movies - not great theater but a good living certainly.
And for all we know, she might have had some other talents that would lead to maybe writing, directing, producing, etc.
Talented or not, still a tragedy.
Well, not really. But I'm not so sure she purposely killed herself. It's like Marilyn Monroe in a sense. I think they both just took one pill too many. However, having said that, one believes an early death was coming her way even if she did survive that night. She was too erratic. Constant chaos. Liked her drugs. She didn't make good decisions. And I think for the most part, she was pretty well done. Career wise I mean. One thinks it was just a matter of time - eventually something would have happened to send her to an early grave.
Everyone has a chance. But people like her, I've met several of them in my life - they don't last.
Oh, and the only way to get good at the FMV title Night Trap is to play it over and over again (says the AVGN).