Todd Bridges details formative years with late actress Dana Plato

• Todd Bridges reveals early experiences of sexualisation involving Dana Plato.
• Experts suggest that potential childhood abuse contributed to Plato’s "wild" teen years.
• Documentary series explores the actress’s later struggles with addiction and legal issues.
  

The tragic life journey of the late actress Dana Plato has been re-examined in the latest episode of "Hollywood Demons", titled "Child Stars Gone Wild".

Plato, who was born on 7 November 1964, rose to global fame as Kimberly Drummond on the sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes", a role she held from 1978 to 1984.

However, behind the screen, her formative years were marked by intense scrutiny and premature sexualisation.

Her co-star and close friend, Todd Bridges, shared poignant recollections of their time, detailing an environment where Plato exhibited sexual awareness far beyond her years.

Bridges, who was a year younger than Plato, recalled an incident on set when they were both children that left him questioning her well-being.

"How would a 12-year-old girl know about that? The only way that you're going to do that to someone else is if you have experienced that yourself," Bridges reasoned.

Dr Drew Pinsky, providing expert analysis in the programme, noted that such behaviours in adolescents often suggest prior sexual abuse or the development of sex addiction.

Bridges admitted it was "sad" that Plato felt unable to disclose the true nature of her internal struggles, despite their enduring friendship.

Following her departure from the show, Plato faced a public battle with drug abuse and a 1991 arrest for armed robbery.

She eventually died of a drug overdose on 8 May 1999, an event that was later ruled a suicide. Bridges expressed deep regret that he could not provide more help during her lifetime, noting that she consistently avoided discussing her feelings.

Plato had previously appeared in numerous commercials before becoming a household name in the late 1970s.