Actor Jeff Conaway, who appeared in the movie version of Grease and on TV’s Taxi and Babylon 5 has passed away. He was 60 years old.
Conaway, 60, suffered from pneumonia and sepsis in recent weeks and had been in a medically-induced coma in an Encino, California, hospital for two weeks, manager Phil Brock said.
His family surrounded Conaway in his hospital room Thursday afternoon when he was taken off life support, Brock said.
“He was the consummate performer and entertainer,” Brock said. “We’re thankful his struggles are over, but we know he will be missed by legions of fans worldwide.”
“Our staff has been with him through his struggle over the last few years,” Brock added. “He is one of the nicest, kindest people. The most gentle person, and that may have been his downfall in the long run. He was a really nice guy in general, a person who would give the shirt off his back for anyone. He loved and lived to be on stage and entertaining others.”
Brock said the actor was found unconscious May 11 after an apparent overdose of painkillers. Reports said he might have been in that state for 10 hours before being found. Brock said the actor was suffering from pneumonia and already was sick at the time of the overdose.
The actor discussed his addiction struggles as part of the VH1 reality show Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew in 2008. He was a team captain for Season 3 of the cable outlet’s Celebrity Fit Club in 2006 but struggled and left after three episodes to enter rehab.
John Travolta recalled his former T-Bird wingman. “Jeff Conaway was a wonderful and decent man, and we will miss him,” Travolta told E! News. “My heartfelt thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this very difficult time.”
Is it me or did John Travolta’s statement about Jeff Conaway sound like a standard form where the name of the deceased is {fill in the blank}?
Yep.
Sad to see him go but it has to be remembered that this was self inflicted. He struggled with drugs and alcohol for many years. I’d heard him saying in one of those rehab stories that when it was time to work, he’d clean up well enough to get the job done and then go right back to it. Kind of like how you know when the Rolling stones are getting ready to tour in a few months when Kieth Richards checks into rehab.