Actor Jeff Conaway, who starred in the popular television show "Taxi" and who is beloved for his role as Kenickie in the stage and movie musical "Grease" died today at a Los Angeles hospital. He was 60. Conaway was hospitalized earlier this month after he was discovered unconscious in his home; he was taken off life support yesterday, according to Entertainment Tonight. more ›

U.S. "drug czar" Gil Kerlikowske was at the Pasadena Recovery Center today to hold a press conference about the the federal government's opposition to Prop 19, the ballot measure that would legalize marijuana in California. In attendance was Dr. Drew Pinksy. What did he have to say? NBCLA caught up with and grabbed this soundbite: "I do not have a strong opinion about prop 19 -- that is really for the voters to decide -- but what I want people to know is that it's a drug that for my patients causes profound consequences. Now, whether it should be legal or not, that's going to be up to the voters." more ›

High-profile chemical dependency specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky has confirmed he is cutting ties with Aurora Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena, according to the LA Times. The facility has come under "renewed scrutiny" after inspectors became aware of security and safety risks and incidents involving patient escapes and "near suicides." more ›

Dr. Drew Pinsky and Dr. Mark Young penned the recent book, “The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism Is Seducing America." (LAist Book Review) In this video from 2006, the doctors give a talk at the USC Annenberg School for Communication on celebrity narcissism, and more. Both doctors have Trojan ties. Dr. Young heads the entertainment business program at USC, and Dr. Drew earned his MD from USC Medical School. (The audio sync is a little off -- but not like an old kung fu flick.) more ›