Child stars thrust into the limelight as they are groomed for the rich celebrity lifestyle. They have to learn how to handle the roller coaster of chaos of the life they are now living. As most of these child stars learn, fame comes at a cost. Either you run with it and excel, accepting this new life. Or, you either sink or bid adieu to the industry as a whole. Let’s take a look at the child stars who excelled and those that didn’t.
Where Are These Child Stars Now?
Dana Plato
A television life didn’t seem to be that glamorous for Dana Plato, who died when she was 34 from an Opioid overdose in 1999. Plato came from a modest family in San Fernando Valley in L.A. Her journey to small screen began after years of auditioning in the late 1970s. By 1978, Plato landed her first notable role on the U.S. TV sitcom Diff’rent Strokes, but time was not on her side as it was also during her stint on the show when she developed an alcohol and narcotic addiction. At 14, Plato was already overdosing in substances. Needless to say, when she finished her stint at Diff’rent Strokes, her life was beset with substance addiction and chronic financial woes aggravated by an alleged financial mishap committed by her financial manager.
Dana Plato
Jenna Von Oy
Surely you remember Blossom Russo’s best friend Six Lemeure from the NBC sitcom, Blossom? Jenna Von Oy wasn’t just a sidekick, she experienced a few life changing moments, which included alcoholism and even a pregnancy scare. After playing Six, Oy starred in The Parkers and recently her second book was released, Situation Momedy: A Very Special Episode in Toddlerdom. She married Brad Bratcher in 2010 and they have two daughters together.
Jenna Von Oy
