Jeff Conaway in Coma After Apparent Drug Overdose

By PopEater Staff Posted May 18th 2011 10:20PM

'Grease' actor Jeff Conaway, whose shambolic life was made painfully public during a 2008 stint on 'Celebrity Rehab,' has slipped into a coma and is in critical condition following a drug overdose last week. The former 'Taxi' star's manager, Phil Brock, says the 60 year old was found unconscious on May 11 after possibly OD'ing on pain pills.

Brock would not disclose what hospital Conaway is admitted to, only that it is located in Encino, Calif. The actor's recovery is uncertain.

"He is in a coma and unresponsive at this time," Brock told E! Online. "He turned his head two days ago, but nothing since."

Conaway rocketed to fame in 1978 with a starring role in 'Grease' and in the same year began his 3-year run on the hit TV series, 'Taxi.' Roles dried up in the 1980s as his substance abuse problem worsened, but he later found steady work on the sci-fi hit, 'Babylon 5.'

In 2008 a wiry and broken Conaway joined the cast of VH1's 'Celebrity Rehab' in an attempt to address his long-time addiction to drugs and alcohol. It did not work and last year he injured himself in a bad fall while under the influence of methadone and OxyContin.

Tags: Celebrity Rehab, Jeff Conaway

Comments

(302)

Thursday 19 May

By Jeff

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I dont think they pay you for being on the show. But its sad.

By LiLi

I agree with you. I saw him and he was just mean, and I don't think he wanted help.

By JoeBobb

Celebrity Rehab!?!? Please folks let's stop kidding ourselves. Dr. Drew's TV program, and other's like it, such as Dr Phil, is by no means a rehab/get well program, celebrity or otherwise. Regardles of its name, it is a freaking TV program that's packaged and presented as pure entertainment. The host, the producers and others responsible for it want to make money via your viewership. The more viewers they have then the more advertising money they make, and the way they gain viewership is to create controversy by having participants say and do ugly things and cause mayhem amongst themselves. I wonder how much the participants were paid on the Dr Drew program.

By Alyce

According to Artie Lange(Howard Stern)"former heroin and cocaine addict" he reported that he was offered 200K to do celebrity rehab but turned it down. I to saw Jeff on CR he didn't seem to want to get clean it looked like he wanted painkillers. Look we all have our demons but Vicky your right at 60 you should have gotten off the ride a long time ago.

By Mary

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Jeff, I wish you a speedy recovery and support. God Bless.

By charlie

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Typical Hollywood, everybody feels sorry these ill mannered, pampered "stars"! Sorry Hollywood, you folks live and die by your own rules. So stop the whining and accept your own responsibilities, and quit boring the public. Now we all have to hear what a wonderful person is was. gag me!!!!

By Connie

this makes me sad, ppl never get it that its the person who has to want it,no matter who loves or doesnt love them, or what other folks may try to do , its them that has to do it, sad for jeff

By danscar

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Do I know you ?

am not sure who replied to me? but i meant Jeff wanting to be sober, I am not judging him , just mentioning its a person who is the one who has to want it, they bottom out of doing whatever it is and then try to work on it and hopefully they get to where the periods of sobriety get longer and longer, they may fall off but its their battle utlimately no matter who loves them etc and its sad that jeff may lose.

By TabbeighCat

Walk a mile before you judge. It sounds like he's always had a mental condition (maybe bi-polar, who knows?) and then he got hooked on this crap. Now, after decades of feeding it to his body, the craving is too strong to ignore. Good Lord...why does anyone even try this stuff to begin with, knowing what it does? Just like Corey Haim (among others) Jeff was a handsome guy with talent, that was given a break that many of us could only hope for....then they just throw it all away in the snap of a finger. It's just sad...what a waste. Once that stuff gets its hooks into you, it sends you down the path of self distruction. It's just so heartbreaking to me to see someone get so low in life.

By delia

Yes to the bipolar. The drug Gabapentin might cure the bipolar thus help with the desire for the drugs. So sad. He was a good actor, great timing. Funny

By Jenni

Delia,
Gabapentin is for both nerve damage and seizures. It's not a psych med. Sorry.

By Linda K

Jenni, Many anti-seizure medications are used for mental health issues. Although I don't know of anyone on gabapentin for mental health/behavioral issues, I have several clients on Depakote, Lamictal, Tegretol, Keppra, and others. Medications are often prescribed for more than one condition. Lamictal is currently the medication most used for bi-polar disorder.

By Bev

Addiction is not a choice. People who suffer from addictions, especially drugs and alcohol are fueled by suppressed fear and are out of control. The addiction is in control. That's why it's so hard to recover. I am very sad for Jeff. It is a waste of such a talented life. Prayers are being sent up for you, Jeff. Peace to you.

By katie8758

I have always been a huge fan of his ever since I saw him in Grease. After seeing him on Celebrity Rehab I noticed he surrounded himself with many "enablers" including his girlfriend. I am really truly sorry to hear about this, and I hope that he recovers, cleans himself up and learns from his mistakes. And for all of those who want to judge - "may he who has done no wrong throw the first stone". Walk a mile in his shoes for once. I love you Jeff! Get well soon!

By Maryann

He suffered so much from his pain. I really feel for anyone who suffers inexcruiciating pain. I'll pray for God to heal Jeff. If not, I'll pray for his soul. God bless

By leon

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What kind of pain?

Friday 20 May

By Dave

Thank you maryann for kind words of wisdom its people like you who make people like me who are in recovery the extra push to keep fighting.
Dave

By ilea

I'm going to try posting one more time to see if this works. This is just a test. Please, other users, ignore. AND PLEASE POPEATER PUT IT UP SO I KNOW IT'S WORKING!

By Ilea

ARG! I give up trying to post anything relivant on this site! I'm mad.

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