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 rpdanko

Vote down Vote up Report this

Addiction IS a disease. There are neurological, hormonal and biological markers/predispositions. It tends to be inheritable, as are many diseases. By the way, my credentials are that I was a certified and/or licensed addictions therapist for thirty years.

By dan31gw

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

As someone who is a recovering addict from oxycontin. 3 years sober! Some of you people really need to stop talking you have no idea what your talking about and its painfully obvious. The friends Ive lost, many who struggled for years to get off painkillers, had a disease. To me its insulting thier memory to see such ignorance. I feel these peoples opinions will not change until themselves or a loved one is affected sadly. Also want to thank the professionals and others who take time out and try to educate about the disease of drug addiction.

By paul

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

I'd like to know why people who DON'T use drugs have to pay billions in tax dollars to save people who DO use drugs from themselves. We spend billions of dollars on law enforcement (which doesn't work) while people like Jeff, who seem bent on their own self-destruction, continue to use and abuse drugs until they finally perish in their quagmire. Normal mentally healthy people do not abuse drugs. It is tragic that this society is running itself into the ground trying to save people from drugs who do not want to be saved. Sorry to say, but eventually we will need to allow those among us, who are so weak,to meet their ultimate demise. Just as those who speed, and die in a crash, we cannot control all behavior with laws. Particularly among those who are bent on their own destruction.

By Barbara

Poor Jeff.So Sorry, That He is ill again. My Boyfriend is in Heaven, because of these diseases, and I understand about Alchololism and Drugs. Hope He can recover, and get well. He is so Talented, it is a shame, that this disease is overpowering him. GIGI

By Di

Saw him on Broadway in "Grease". He played the lead part that Travolta played in the movie. Hope he has a speedy recovery!

By bgatlake

He was just a pitiful, invalid mess on rehab show. My goodness he needed a caretaker who really cared about him. What a terrible
way to live your life.

By Sun

Grease Speedy Recovery to Jeff Conaway!

By DD

I'm not surprised. Dr. Drew tried to help him but he thought he was to tough and left the rehab. He'll be dead soon enough.

By Lor

Call it a disease or call it an addiction. It does not matter! Both a disease you cannot get rid of with will power and an addiction for some people it is not as simple as you think, if they only had will power they would stop! Bull, I have seen addiction my x-husband is 22 years sober, he is one of the lucky ones. Ciggerettes are one of the hardest addiction to beat. Yes I would love my 22yr old to quite, but I see the addiction.

By Ruth

Billions, really? Give us a link for that stat will you?

By nmcurtis007

Ruth, thanks for the reprimand - I highly over exaggerated that statement, I realize it, and I apologize. It's just that I get so emotional over the fact that someone with his talent and potential has just ruined his life when he had soooooooooooo many opporunities for help. Sorry!

By rkniolek

it is not a disease, you can't catch it from someone else, duh....

Contagion is not a prerequiste in defining a disease.

By Glenda

Uh, Duh...Are you saying that illnesses are only considered a disease if you can "catch it from someone else". Don't really think diseases work that way. Most diseases are non-contagious. I am in the process of being diagnosed with MS. I didn't catch it from anyone. Neither does anyone else.

By Liz

SAD...................BUT we make choices. It is not a desease it is a choice.

It is a disease.

By r.w.

I watched him on celebrity rehab. He just didn't seem to really want to stop using. You have to really want to stop, or you will not be able to. Another sad sad story of a user that is not going to end well. May he soon rest in peace, and be healed.

By doc

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

let him die, just another hollywood druggie

By LIZ

100% correct...Ortnasty

By tomkfromnyc

dear jeff, it makes me truly sad to see you this way... you have my full support, thoughts and prayers...love and peace, thomas.

Page 5 of 16