Howard Stern and the Dana Plato Interview: A Controversial Broadcast and Its Real Impact

On May 7, 1999, former Diff’rent Strokes star Dana Plato appeared on The Howard Stern Show in what would be her final public interview. The following day, Plato died of an apparent overdose, a tragic end to a life marked by early fame, personal struggles, and public scrutiny. While some have long speculated about the emotional impact of her appearance on the show, there is no evidence that the interview directly caused her death or led to any immediate professional fallout for Howard Stern. However, the incident remains one of the most controversial moments in radio history—and a stark reminder of the complex responsibilities media figures face when interviewing vulnerable individuals.

The Interview and Its Aftermath

During the live broadcast, Plato, then 34, spoke candidly about her life. She told Stern she had been clean for over a decade and was now focused on rebuilding her career and stability. However, the interview quickly took a darker turn as callers—part of the show’s format—voiced doubts about her sobriety, accused her of lying, and mocked her past.

Plato, clearly affected by the barrage of insults, insisted she was telling the truth and offered to take a drug test on air to prove it. Though Stern did not cut off the callers, he did not appear overtly hostile himself. Still, many listeners were unsettled by the segment’s tone.

Less than 24 hours later, Plato was found dead in an RV outside her mother-in-law’s home in Moore, Oklahoma. The cause was an overdose of the prescription drugs Lortab and Soma. Initially ruled accidental, her death was later determined to be a suicide.

Public Response and Media Criticism

Plato’s death led to significant media coverage, much of which focused on her final appearance on Stern’s show. Critics questioned whether the interview exacerbated her emotional distress. Major publications revisited the broadcast, and commentators debated whether Stern had a duty to protect his guest from public humiliation.

While some accused Stern of exploiting Plato for ratings, others argued that the show was simply following its well-established format—raw, unfiltered, and built around audience interaction.

Howard Stern’s Career Continued

Despite the controversy, there was no evidence that Stern faced financial penalties or cancellation as a direct result of the interview. In fact, his career continued to ascend. In 2004, Stern signed a landmark five-year, $500 million deal with Sirius Satellite Radio, freeing him from FCC regulations and marking a major shift in broadcast media. He officially made the move in 2006.

The idea that Stern’s show was canceled, or that he lost a $100 million contract over the Dana Plato interview, is inaccurate. His move to satellite radio was a strategic business decision made several years later and was not linked to Plato’s death.

Reflections on the Interview

In the years since, Howard Stern has reflected on various controversial moments from his past, including interviews that critics deemed too aggressive or insensitive. He has spoken publicly about evolving as a broadcaster, becoming more introspective, and changing his tone in more recent interviews.

While Stern has never specifically disavowed the Dana Plato segment, it is clear that he, like many in media, has faced questions about where the line between entertainment and empathy should be drawn.

The Broader Conversation About Mental Health and Media

Dana Plato’s tragic story resonates not only because of the circumstances of her final public appearance but because it highlights long-standing issues within celebrity culture, mental health, and media ethics. A child star thrust into the spotlight in the 1980s, Plato faced a difficult adult life that included drug use, legal troubles, and financial hardship. Her death was not the result of a single moment, but of years of accumulated trauma, untreated mental health issues, and the pressures of public life.

In the wake of her death, conversations around how media treats vulnerable guests became more urgent. Interviews like Plato’s prompted some media outlets to reassess how they handle individuals with known mental health histories.

Conclusion

The 1999 interview with Dana Plato remains one of the more uncomfortable and controversial moments in Howard Stern’s long career. While it did not lead to his show’s cancellation or the loss of a massive contract, it did contribute to a larger conversation about media responsibility.

Howard Stern would go on to become one of the most successful figures in satellite radio history, but the memory of that interview—and the tragedy that followed—continues to serve as a cautionary tale.

For Dana Plato, it was a final plea to be heard. For the industry, it was a reminder that beneath every headline, there’s a human being—and not every story is entertainment.