Babylon 5's Jeff Conaway in a coma (now has passed away).

Centurion Draco · May 19th, 2011, 10:28 AM

Babylons 5's 'Zack Allen', Jeff Conaway is fighting for his life after an apparent overdose of perscription meds.

(from Moviefone UK)

"Jeff Conaway - best known for playing Kenickie in the movie Grease - is in a coma after an apparent overdose of painkillers.

Conaway's manager, Phil Brock, told the press the troubled 60-year-old was currently in a critical condition in a Californian hospital and unlikely to pull through.

Brock also told RadarOnline: "These could be his final moments. He slightly moved his head three days ago but since, there's been no sign he'll recover."

Another member of Conaway's management team, Kathryn Boole told the Daily Mail: "The doctors are not optimistic and he is fighting for life right now. We're hoping he will pull through, but he is still in a coma". Regarding the question it was a suicide attempt, Boole said: "I have heard those reports, but I would be highly surprised. He is not the sort of person who would intentionally take his own life."

Playing Kenickie in Grease made Conaway a star back in 1978 - afterwards going on to spend two years in hit TV comedy Taxi - although his career became erratic due to the actor's substance abuse problems.

Recently he became more well known for appearing in US show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, shocking viewers with his apparent failing physical health and addiction to painkillers, drugs and alcohol. He admitted he'd been addicted to painkillers since injuring his back in the mid-70s whilst appearing in the Broadway run of Grease.

Conaway has been recovering from a near-fatal fall he suffered at home early last year, when he fell down a flight of stairs, fracturing his neck and breaking his hip."

Keep fighting Jeff.

David Kerin · May 19th, 2011, 03:21 PM

I hope for his recovery. It is a shame that he has not been able to overcome his addictions. Seemed like he was doing better when he was on Babylon 5... at least in interviews.

BST · May 19th, 2011, 05:46 PM

Sad news. Prayers and best wishes for his recovery.

gmd3d · May 20th, 2011, 02:30 AM

sad indeed ....... I liked his character in B5 ,, good show

rapid recovery I hope

Centurion Draco · May 23rd, 2011, 01:23 PM

Can't seem to find any upadtes on Jeff's condition. Has anyone heard anything?

Gemini1999 · May 23rd, 2011, 08:55 PM

The initial report that claims that Conaway is hospitalized in a coma after an overdose of painkillers is an erroneous one. The overdose info was provided by Conaway's manager. Conaway is actually fighting both a serious case of Pneumonia and a case of Sepsis from an infection. The coma is a medically induced coma to give Conaway the best chance to fight this off while the doctors do what they can to stabilize his condition.

Last May (2010), Conaway fell down a flight of stairs in his home, where he broke and arm & hip, fractured his neck and a brain hemorhage. Conaway had to undergo surgery for his injuries. At the age of 60, these kinds of injuries, take a long time to heal. I'm wondering if the Sepsis isn't an infection that somehow relates to those injuries.

I've tried to find updates on Conaway's condition, but there aren't any to be found as of today's date. I hope that he survives - 60 is way too young to leave the world of the living.

Bryan

Dawg · May 23rd, 2011, 08:56 PM

Bryan, you and I posted at the same time.

And you've heard more than I did. Thanks.

I hope he pulls through.

I am
Dawg

Centurion Draco · May 27th, 2011, 12:20 AM

Thanks for the clarification guys.

Very sad news in the Daily-mail today (the whole article seems to tell both accounts of how this has happened to Jeff):

Grease star Jeff Conaway's family have decided to turn off his life support machine, according to reports.
But their decision has been blocked by his ex-girlfriend Vikki Lizzi, who claims she has power of attorney over the 60-year-old.

The actor, who famously played Kenickie in the hit 1978 film, has been in a deep coma since taking an overdose of painkillers earlier this month.

Conaway's family, who have kept a vigil at the Los Angeles hospital over the past two weeks, have been told by doctors that the star is losing his battle to live, according to Radar Online.

'Doctors advised the family that Jeff has had no brain function since he was brought into the hospital,' a source close to the situation told the website.
'The feeding tube has already been removed'

Poor Jeff.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...#ixzz1NXEXAUcy

gmd3d · May 27th, 2011, 01:58 AM

bad news indeed .... but we keep hope alive and hope a turn around will come to him,
and he recovers

Centurion Draco · May 27th, 2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taranis

bad news indeed .... but we keep hope alive and hope a turn around will come to him,
and he recovers

The reports are saying that brain function has ceased and the feeding tube has been removed.
I can't see any hope now.

I'm a big fan of B5, and Jeff was just fantastic as Zack Allen.
He became one of my favourite charcters in the later series.
I always thought that security chief 'Roc Ingersoll' from the end of Galaxy Quest was an affectionate nod to Jeff as Zack.
It's hard to think of him in such a terrible state.
The universe can be a cruel place.

Centurion Draco · May 27th, 2011, 03:44 PM

It's just been reported that Jeff has died.

Rest in peace Jeff, you will be remembered.

Condolences to Vikki, and Jeffs family at this terrible time.

Centurion Draco · May 28th, 2011, 09:36 AM

As I guess we will all remember Jeff mostly for his great role in Babylon 5, I thought that I'd add a footnote here of 'what happened to Zack' in the B5 universe to try and cheers us up a tiny bit.....
Note: for those who haven't seen B5 all the way through (if there are any) contains minor spoilers).

(this is from the Zack Allan/Allen wiki page)

"In Sleeping in Light, he walked with a noticeable limp, which has never been explained on screen. In the voiceover commentary of the episode, series creator J. Michael Straczynski explained that Zack was involved in heroic activity and lost his leg. In keeping with his character it is suggested that the prosthetic he was supplied with never fit correctly. Later in the episode, after the aged and abandoned Babylon 5 was destroyed and the Drakh influence on Centauri Prime was exposed and eliminated, Zack joined the Rangers and became Centauri Emperor Vir Cotto's assistant and (presumably) a direct liaison between the Emperor and the Interstellar Alliance."