If this isn’t a cautionary tale, I don’t know what is.
Jeff Conaway, a once-handsome actor who made his name in the sitcom “Taxi” and most recently was a train wreck on “Celebrity Rehab,” is in a coma after an apparent drug overdose. He has struggled with addiction for years.
He went into a coma Wednesday and was hospitalized at Encino Hospital Medical Center.
Conaway, with his blond good looks, built a career playing not-too-bright leading men. In addition to “Taxi,” he portrayed Danny Zuko on “Grease” on Broadway, a role that John Travolta landed in the film. Conaway was in the movie, but played another role.
On Dr. Drew Pinsky’s “Celebrity Rehab,” 60-year-old Conaway provided a lot of drama as he struggled with withdrawal and fought with his fellow celebs. He had become addicted to cocaine and pain pills when he had back surgery.
The actor later claimed that he had acted ornery and created a lot of unpleasant scenes on “Celebrity Rehab” because that’s what the show’s producers wanted. That actually shouldn’t be much of surprise: Reality TV shows are anything but real.
Conaway has obviously battled a lot of demons in his life. Let’s hope he survives his most recent relapse.
