Dr. Drew Pinsky has come to the defense of actor Jeff Conaway amidst reports claiming the former “Grease” star is near death following an overdose.
“Just visited Jeff Conaway,” Pinsky Tweeted Friday evening. “He is stable & looks like he will recover from his pneumonia. Not an OD like press is alleging & certainly not dead.”
When asked why Conaway’s manager had reported the actor was in a coma by a Twitter follower, the doctor/addiction specialist later answered that Conaway is “in an induced coma” on a “Propafol drip.”
“Pneumonia with supsis,” he continued. “No evidence of intentional OD.”
Pinsky is well-acquainted with Conaway’s struggles with substance abuse – the actor participated in Pinsky’s VH1 reality show, “Celebrity Rehab” in 2008, where he discussed his addiction to drugs and alcohol.
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, on Thursday, Conaway’s manager, Phil Brock said the 60-year-old actor was found unconscious on May 11 and had been hospitalized in critical condition.
Brock added that Conaway was in a coma in a California hospital and his recovery was uncertain.
The name of the hospital was not disclosed.
In addition to his role in the 1978 movie musical “Grease,” Conaway’s notable TV credits include “Taxi” and “Babylon 5.”
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