Michael Ochs Archives/Stringer/Getty ImagesDana Plato, pictured with her costars Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges on the set of Diffrent Strokes in 1980. I just want to tell this piece of paper that I love Steven Grossman. Inside his fearless but forgotten expression of gay identity. If you dont get this letter are you even reading this? This is the devastating story of Dana Platos short life and tragic death. who posted the $13,000 bail for her. Though Plato was just 34 years old at the time, it was clear that she had met a fate similar to that of other child and teen stars. In 1993, she spent a month in a drug and alcohol rehab center in Las Vegas - one But she soon got into more trouble when her forging of Valium prescriptions got her arrested again. Oops, we were unable to send the email. He charted eight times as a songwriter between 1971 and 1980, with "White Lies, Blue Eyes" by Bullet (co-written by Flax) landing at #28 in the U.S. in 1971. There were strings arranged by Chris Dedrick, who had worked with Peter, Paul & Mary and Simon & Garfunkel. In the 1990s, she also had some run-ins with the law, most notably after she robbed a Las Vegas video store. Ms. Plato and her fiance, Robert Menchaca, had stopped at his parents' home in Moore for Mother's Day. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Musician Lanny Cordola formed the Miraculous Love Kids around the premise that "it shouldn't hurt to be a child." That a kid with a melody in their heart has hope, and with hope all . Indeed, a tide seemed to be shifting. All of a sudden Im not gay anymore? I was very proud of him. Angry and discouraged, he returned to San Francisco. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. The second best result is Lanny Shane Lambert age 60s in Helotes, TX in the Sonoma Ranch neighborhood. Mere days before Mothers Day on May 6, 2010, on which would have been the 11th anniversary of his mothers death, he committed suicide at the age of 25 from a drug overdose. Hydrocodone/acetam- inophen is Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? He had kept writing songs but gave only occasional performances, notably at a firehouse in downtown Manhattan that the Gay Activists Alliance used as its community center. Before long, Plato was settling for B-movies and adult films as a way to make money. On February 28, she entered a video store, produced a gun, and demanded the money in the register. Judith Casselberry, today a professor at Bowdoin College in Maine, inherited the bulk of his papers. In January 1992 she was arrested again, this time for forging a prescription for Diazepam. Failed to delete memorial. statute of limitations does not run out on deaths for seven years. TIDAL is the first global music streaming service with high fidelity sound, hi-def video quality, along with expertly curated playlists and original content making it a trusted source for music and culture. By years end, Caravan Tonight had sold under 10,000 copies far fewer than even the modest fifty for which Flax had hoped. I remember saying to Lanny, Gender doesnt even matter in Stevens songs. given another five years' probation for forging prescriptions for Valium. Raised in the San Fernando Valley, Dana Plato experienced the divorce of her adoptive parents when she was three years old. Dana and Lanny would divorce She married spouse, Lanny Lambert from 1984 to 1990. an 18-month-old child) gave her up for adoption as an infant and she was taken in by a An influential teen idol of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Plato was recognized for her television work, for which she was included on VH1s list of 100 Greatest Kid Stars. Word of mouth was important to even know what existed., In 1973, there was a surprising wealth of material. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Dana Plato I found on Findagrave.com. Seventeen years later, Grossmans death of AIDS was barely noted, even in the gay press. Defeated, Plato moved to Las Vegas in yet another attempt to reinvigorate her career, but she still struggled to find steady work. On Christmas Day of 1986, Grossman met the love of his life, Jimmy Price. He also vowed to censor nothing. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Eleven years after Plato died, Tyler Lambert committed suicide at age 25. Lanny S. Lambert, 54, a former administrative assistant in the Cook County treasurer's office who was active in the Democratic Party in Chicago for two decades, died Monday, Aug. 27, at Weiss Memorial Hospital after a vascular tumor ruptured in his brain. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Then, go inside more heartbreaking stories of former child stars. But who cares? You all know Im bicoastal, right? said Peter Allen, the gay but cagey singer-songwriter and high-kicking showman, in his 1970s concerts. Why, that whole bisexuality thing, that was only issued to create publicity.. So while Linda Blair went on to huge stardom, Dana 1983-1984 season because of her pregnancy, but she did return for the final season on ABC You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. This music was not played on the radio, so you had to be lucky to live in a city large enough for supportive businesses, like coffeehouses and bookstores. Her ill-conceived grab for rent money (it was really a cry for help according to many people) sent her to jail According to our records, Lanny Lambert is possibly single. Overview: Ryan Mark Lambert (born March 29, 1971) is an American performer, singer and guitarist who starred in the television show Kids Incorporated - seasons 2-5 from October 1985 until February . Pianist Zecca Esquibel, cabaret reviewer for the 1970s gay magazine Michaels Thing, remembered him as very hippie, with a floating, soft way of speaking. Ms. Plato and For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. These human beings were not being heard, he says. Friends like Austin Noto were there to cheer Grossman on. Dana was helped by Las Vegas singer, Wayne Newton, She posed for a June To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He is a top rock guitarist and popularly known as the former partner of Dana Michelle Plato, an American actress who is an influential teen idol of the late 1970s and 1980s. hearing can be held to determine who owns the vehicle. Dana Plato was born on November 7, 1964, in Maywood, California. The couple married on April 24, 1984, and their only child, Tyler Edward Lambert, was born on July 2, 1984. Dana Plato Was A Beloved Teen Idol In The 70s And Early 80s Then She Was Found Dead At 34. Best known as Kimberly Drummond, the older sister on When I realized how much brainwashing Id been subjected to from my parents, and my grandparents, from the movies, from every aspect of society, I was furious.. In April 1984, she married Lanny and on July 2nd, 1984 Steven really liked hanging out with lesbians; he liked their politics, says Jim Fouratt, the longtime gay activist and film critic. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. It wasnt disco, and it wasnt Elton or Bowie, that whole slew of artists who were glam and flamboyant. Grossman read it. He was cremated with no memorial service. "Bullets" (Creed song), 2002. He was active in the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers. She was also featured in more than a dozen movies, including some soft pornography roles. Her natural charm and way with comedy soon made her a hit with fans during the shows run from 1978 to 1986. Gary Coleman, who played the lovable Arnold on the show, pleaded no contest in February to disturbing the peace for Singer says toxicology results aren't expected for about six weeks. "Diff'rent Strokes," and Dana landed the part of Kimberly. Before that he had wandered aimlessly from job to job, working in an orphanage, doing market research, even picking up garbage on the beach of Coney Island. performance in the 1997 straight-to-video epic "Different Strokes." In it, he said, commitment was a concept of the past. He and Bergman broke up, and a new Steven emerged. The downward spiral would come to a heartbreaking end on May 8, 1999, when Dana Plato died of a drug overdose while visiting family members in Moore, Oklahoma. Lanny Lambert. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Though he never won that award, by the end of the 70s a few artists had followed in his path. To that end, they sent the demo to Vito Russo, a gay-rights activist who was then writing a watershed book, The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies. Ms. Plato played Kimberly Drummond on the NBC sitcom that ran from 1978 to 1985 (and ABC from 1985-1986). was acquitted of assault with a deadly weapon in the near fatal shooting of a narcotics dealer in a Los Angeles drug den. According to the Los Angeles Times, police initially believed that Dana Platos death had been an accident. She read me one of the many letters Grossman had saved. It was like they had let the birds out of the cage and they were all in the trees singing. Six years later, on her first album, k.d. He was 25 years old. The whole glitter gang, even Bowie, offended Grossman. Occupation: Musician. an effort to jump-start her career. After Menchaca realized that evening that there was a problem, and shattering lows. based on information from your browser. In 1991, she was arrested for Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Unfortunately he had no tape; could he come in person? Here were all these guys dancing to dance music. There was an error deleting this problem. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Moore police "I expected that she overdosed," fiance Robert Menchaca Jr., said Friday. She will be 58 years in 2022 and has a height of 5 ft 1 in (1.57 m). Southern California couple (adopted by Dean and Florine 'Kay' Plato in June 1965) who soon But Grossman had no intention of holding back. In December of 1983 Dana moved in with rock guitarist Lanny Lambert. Dana moved in with rock guitarist Lanny Lambert in December 1983. They and Grossman became inseparable. On it he made two albums of rebellious folk-rock songs about his homosexuality and the responses it got: A good doctor could cure you/All you needs a good woman to adore you.. Lanny was loved for being a gentleman and a gentle man. During the visit, Dana went for a nap in their mobile home and took a hefty dose of Valium combined with Lortab before she dozed off, never to wake again. Police initially said she died of an accidental drug overdose of Lortab and Valium. He died in 2017. Dana Plato led quite an interesting life, full of dizzying heights He lived with her until a judge sent him back. She blasted her way back into the headlines But with instant success came the danger of Hollywood excess, and Plato began experimenting with alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine alongside her young costars. According to USA Today, the producers worried that Platos personal life ruined the wholesomeness of her character and the squeaky-clean image of the show. When the couple got divorced in March 1990, Lanny won physical custody of Tyler while she got allowed visitation. She signed the power of attorney over to an accountant who ran away with most of her money and left her with less than $150,000 to her name. Thats when I knew she must have been on drugs.. He recalled being raped at 3 by the brother of his fathers not-so-secret girlfriend. Dana landed roles on over 100 TV commercials as a After attending Indianapolis Business College, he worked for Voyager 1000, a private flying club in Indianapolis. The following year in June, a Southern Californian couple, Dean and Florine Kay Plato adopted Dana. magazine "Girlfriends." Her personal problems worsened in the late 1980s, especially when her husband ended their marriage and her mother died. The following day, she and Menchaca were returning to California and stopped by his mother's home in Moore, Oklahoma, for a Mother's Day visit. Dana's fortunes began to turn when she was spotted by a producer during a brief appearance Ive written it and poured out these feelings, at least. Well, they werent. Dana Plato, pictured in Hollywood shortly before her death. In the gay lounges of New York, piano men sang love songs to she and her while customers nursed their drinks and switched pronouns in their minds. A system error has occurred. / I wonder if youll even get this letter. The couple married on April 24, 1984, and their only child, Tyler Edward Lambert, was born on July 2, 1984. Lanny Lambert in December 1983. About But the He and Grossman shared a bill at Maxs Kansas City, the fabled New York hangout of cutting-edge poets, painters and rockers. A year later, she was Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. No suicide note was ever found. Find Lanny Lambert credit information on AllMusic. sterling gems as 1992's "Bikini Beach Race" and 1995's "Compelling Evidence." heartbreaking stories of former child stars. Facebook gives people the power to. The stereotypes were horrendous., The partners published a classified ad in the Village Voice: Established producers were seeking a gay singer who sings of the gay experience; tapes only, please. Your email address will not be published. She was also an accomplished figure skater, and at one point she was training for a possible Olympic team spot. Original introductory image courtesy of Significant Other Records. In 1978, British singer-songwriter Tom Robinson led a sing-along of his Top 20 hit, Glad to Be Gay, at a London show. After "Diff'rent Strokes" was cancelled, she attempted to establish herself as a serious actress, but found it difficult to step out of the long shadows cast by her sitcom career and ended up taking roles in B-movies such as "Bikini Beach Race" and "Lethal Cowboy." In 1990, he Stevens music was like lesbian folk music, he said. The In January of 1992 she was arrested Another glitter phenomenon of the era proclaimed himself a true fairy: Jobriath, an obvious Bowie knockoff. Born on December 28, 1935 in Chambersburg, he was the son of the late Bud and Hilda (Weikert) Lambert of Camp Hill. The woman had called Stern's for a short stint, but her new notoriety managed to get her work in the "no publicity is There is a problem with your email/password. That September, he flew to New York for a 39th-birthday bash thrown by Austin Noto in his West Village apartment. Scott Singer said Sunday. do get evidence that Robert is guilty by criminal negligence or actual participation, She is sibling to Heidi Plato. But just a year later, she found herself in trouble again, this time for forging prescriptions for Valium. in early on -- Dana was chosen for the lead role in "The Exorcist" but her adoptive mother We don't suspect suicide," police Sgt. Filmography / The two married in April 1984 but separated in January 1988, a week after her adoptive mother's death. 2 hit with Dueling Banjos, the theme of Deliverance. At nineteen, Dana moved in with rock guitarist Lanny Lambert after she got fired from Diffrent Strokes for being pregnant. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Steven Grossmans album Something in the Moonlight contains liner notes by Gavin. But he had an ego, and when he walked in the door he was on.. He phoned the number listed and announced that he was the man the two producers wanted. Diff'rent Strokes/Interviews/Links / Grossman did a few well-received shows, which gave him hope. In fact, he spent more of his time with women than with men. Lanny Shane Lambert, age 66, Helotes, TX Lived in: Abilene TX, San Antonio TX, Converse TX Relatives: Debra Lambert, Thurman Simmons, Nathan Lambert View full report Lanny Mark Lambert, age 64, Hickory, NC Lived in: Granite Falls NC, Hudson NC, Bristol TN Relatives: Kimberly Deel, Angela Lambert, Sarah Iamurri View full report He wanted out of New York; hed grown to hate the citys rush-type gay scene all rapid turnover and no real relationship. On Jan. 1, 1975, he followed a new boyfriend, Christopher Bergman, to San Francisco. Sign Up For Our Weekly New Releases Newsletter We should try to find somebody who writes about the gay experience, maybe a Joni Mitchell-type person., Flax, who lives today in San Diego, agreed. Are you sure that you want to delete this flower? She is also remembered for her troubled life after "Diff'rent Strokes" when her career spiraled downward after becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol. We were disappointed that we couldnt make him a star, but there was no more money to go around. (Lambert moved into advertising; Flax became a music attorney, then vice chairman of EMI Music Publishing.). MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: Like . There was a problem getting your location. Never reissued, it remains an artifact of the post-Stonewall fight for gay equality. He had written it with two out songwriters, Marsha Malamet and singer-activist Michael Callen, who had been penning lyrics about gay life for years. According to Jim Fouratt, not even Grossmans gay brethren had cared. Dana drifted in and out of the business over the next few years. He died on May 6, 2010 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. Thanks for your help! had seen legal troubles since the show was canceled, has died of a drug overdose. His paternal grandmother sued to gain custody of him. He was casting a new sitcom for NBC which was to become his client paid for the motor home although it was in her name. The following year Price died, and Grossman was getting sicker. Before he became a towering figure of the civil-rights movement, the singer was one of Americas most popular entertainers, and a brilliant interpreter of folk music. In April 1984, she married Lanny and on July 2nd, 1984 their son Tyler Edward Lambert was born. robbing a Las Vegas video store and was placed on five years' probation. jail sentence. The clerk called 911 and famously told the dispatcher, Ive just been robbed by the girl who played Kimberly on Diffrent Strokes.. Dana Plato Age + Biography + Death But panic seized him when he saw two men holding hands at a demonstration. Lanny Lambert was previously married to Dana Plato (1984 - 1990).. Mining old songs she learned as a child, the beloved singer and musician finds a new attitude on Pieces of Treasure..
