Jeff Conaway (1950 - 2011)

[Liza]

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Actor Jeff Conaway, who was in the TV series "Taxi" and the movie "Grease," died Friday morning from pneumonia, his manager said.

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."

Conaway's struggle with alcohol and drug addiction was chronicled in 2008 on the TV reality show "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew."

Dr. Drew Pinsky, who treated Conaway for substance abuse, posted a Twitter message Friday after learning of Conaway's death.

"I'm saddened to report he has succumbed to his addiction, thus far we have no evidence of an intentional overdose, rather this is the natural history of prescription drug addiction, pneumonia, septic shock, etc," he tweeted.

Initial reports that Conaway suffered a drug overdose were inaccurate, a source with knowledge of his medical condition said last week. However, his use of drugs caused him not to realize how ill he was, keeping him from getting treatment for pneumonia until it was too late, the source said.

-from CNN.com

[Liza]

[Marvo301]

Rest in peace Jeff.

[catlover79]

So sad it had to end this way...

[catlover79]

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusive...mily-speak-out

Posted on May 27, 2011 @ 06:04PM

By Amber Goodhand
Radar Reporter

& Cliff Renfrew
Radar Staff Reporter

Jeff Conaway’s passing has his friends and family already missing him, but staying hopeful that he’s “in a better place.”

As RadarOnline.com was first to report the 60-year-old actor sadly died on Friday morning after he was pulled from the life-support that sustained him after he’d slipped into a coma.

Conaway’s first wife, Rona Newton John, (also his Grease co-star Olivia Newton John’s sister) told RadarOnline.com she was not with him in the hospital the moment he passed but had been there for the last couple weeks supporting him.

“I was not there today...but I’ve been there for the last two weeks. The whole thing is very sad,” Rona said.

“I know that down the road the family might do some kind of memorial. He’s probably in a better place.”

Grease’s leading man, John Travolta, spoke out on his co-star in a statement saying he was a "wonderful and decent man and we will miss him."

Travolta went on to say: "My heartfelt thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this very difficult time.”

Conaway’s heartbroken Taxi co-star, Marilu Henner, told RadarOnline.com: “I can’t believe he has gone...I really thought he was going to pull through.

“When I saw him in hospital just a few days ago he looked so handsome — the best he has been in several years — and there were signs he knew we were present, too.”

Henner, 59, was emotional as she expressed her grief in losing Conaway.

“I feel like I have lost a brother. Jeff and I were very close and we always made a point of contacting one another during the holidays,” Henner said.

“My two sons feel like they have lost an uncle and even through all his struggles Jeff could always smile and make others laugh too – I will really miss him.”

Didi Conn, another Grease co-star was too shaken up to speak to us, but her husband David Shire said, “Didi is upset and devastated by Jeff’s passing. He will be missed.

“She cannot even talk on the phone right now.”

Dr. Drew Pinskey spoke out on his Twitter account: “I'm saddened to report he has succumbed to his addiciton, thus far we have no evidence of an intentional overdose.

“Looked like he might pull through last weekend, but unfortunately that was not to be. Please continue to send your well wishes and prayers...”

Actress Eva Longoria twittered as well, remembering the fallen actor.

“My fav Grease quote ‘a hickey from Kinecky is like a hallmark card!’” Longoria wrote.

Even those seemingly out of Conaway’s demographic mourned his loss. Miley Cyrus tweeted, "RIP Jeff Conaway. I'll see you in another life."

Conaway's personal life was one marked by strife, broken relationships and unsteady work as he admittedly battled the demons of drug addiction — most notably cocaine, alcohol and painkillers.

Conaway appeared in VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club but was forced to leave and enter rehab – and in early 2008 he appeared on VH1’s reality series Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew.

And on May 11, 2011, his girlfriend Vikki Lizzi found him unconscious and slumped over from a drug overdose at an Encino, Calif. apartment.

[Marvo301]

It's obvious that Jeff was well loved by the people he knew and worked with over the years. That's a very nice legacy for Jeff to leave behind.

[dakert]

RIP Jeff--but I never heard where all his pain came from. Did he have an accident?

[catlover79]

He's had back problems for years, and in 2008 or 2009 broke his arm and suffered a stroke after falling in his house.

[catlover79]

[Family Ties Forever!]

RP

[dakert]

Thats ironic because Jeff is one of the major reasons my family watched Taxi

Originally Posted by catlover79

[comedyfreak]

RIP Jeff hope you finally are at peace, you'll be missed.

[Janice]

How sad. He wanted to get better. It was just bigger than him. Rest in Peace.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by dakert

Thats ironic because Jeff is one of the major reasons my family watched Taxi

Yes, it is. But he still listed the show among his top 5 sitcoms. He also mentioned Barney Miller, which I thought was cool. Besides, the two were back-to-back on ABC's Thursday night schedule.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Janice

How sad. He wanted to get better. It was just bigger than him. Rest in Peace.

In some ways, Jeff's inability to conquer his demons reminds me of Andy Gibb. Of course, Jeff lived twice as long as Andy did, but still...