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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.
In recent years, Conaway was known for his participation in reality television's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew." Many of his present-day health and addiction issues were rooted in his early career. A back injury sustained during the filming of "Grease" in the late 70s troubled him for the rest of his life, and necessitated numerous surgeries. He came forward with his struggle with drug addiction in the 1980s, which remained a serious problem for him until his death.
Last week, as rumors circulated that it was an overdose that sent Conaway to the hospital and into a coma, Dr. Drew Pinsky asserted that Conaway was suffering from "pneumonia with sepsis." However over the weekend his conditioned worsened. A rep for the actor said Conaway's hospitalization was due to "the use of painkillers and prescription drugs."
Conaway was twice divorced, and had no children.
