Jeff Conaway, best known for playing Kenickie in Grease, is in critical condition after an apparent overdose, The Los Angeles Times reports.

Conaway's family members told the Times that the actor has been hospitalized at Encino Hospital Medical Center with pneumonia and is currently unconscious.

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Conaway, 60, rose to fame playing one of the T-Birds in the 1978 film adaptation of Grease. Later that year, he co-starred in the popular sitcom Taxi, as actor-turned-taxi-driver Bobby Wheeler, before leaving in Season 4. He later appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful and Babylon 5 in the '90s.

In recent years, however, Conaway has turned to reality TV. He was a contestant on the third season of Celebrity Fit Club, but was forced to leave the show and enter rehab. Two years later, he returned to VH1 to appear on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, seeking treatment for addictions to cocaine, painkillers and alcohol.

In addition to his substance abuse problems, Conaway has had difficulty walking due to an injury-related back problem.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Jeff-Conaway-Overdose-1033277.aspx?rss=breakingnews&partnerid=popeater&profileid=breaking

Jeff Conaway, who’s been battling a long-time addiction to booze and drugs, is in a deep coma in an Encino, Calif., hospital after overdosing on pain pills a week ago.

A source who asked not to be identify said the overdose was a suicide attempt.

Conaway’s manager, Phil Brock, said the actor was found unconscious on the floor of his Encino home May 11.

“A friend went to look for him because he wasn’t responding to messages,” Brock said. “We hope and pray, but doctor aren’t optimistic. These could be his final moments. He slightly moved his head three days ago but since, there’s been no sign he’ll recover.”

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/05/jeff-conaway-hospitalized-drug-overdose

The poor guy. It's so sad what has happened to him. My prayers go out to Jeff and his family. I sure hope he recovers. :(

This is indeed very sad but not surprising news. To tell the truth, I'm shocked that he is still alive. I hope and pray that this story has a happy ending.

I agree, he has had such a horrible life in later years, but from all reports, the news sounds grim.

Sad but true!! It'll take a miracle for him to recover from this, from what I hear.

It's very sad that it's come down to this for Jeff Conaway. What seemed like such a promising career when he was in Grease and co-starring on Taxi has been slowing going downhill ever since. Sadly not only has he not been able to conquer his addictions they may end up being his cause of death. :(

I feel for him, he also had abuse allegations against his ex. The last time I seen him was back in February at the Collector's show and he didn't look good at all and was in a wheelchair.

I saw a few of those clips of him on Dr. Drew, beligerent and drunk, and they had to beep out every other word he said (most of them began with "F"). Sad, sad, sad.

I dont have much sympathy for him because he brought all of this on himself. That said I hope he recovers and finally, finally gets his act together. If he keeps going down the road he is headed, he is going to end up dead.

I saw a few of those clips of him on Dr. Drew, beligerent and drunk, and they had to beep out every other word he said (most of them began with "F"). Sad, sad, sad.

I need to correct that - the clips I saw online were when he was on Celebrity Fit Club.

Last I heard, John Travolta, who he co-starred with in Grease, was trying to get him some help.

http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2011/05/20/Manager-No-change-in-Conaway-condition/UPI-10501305915086/

Published: May 20, 2011 at 2:11 PM

LOS ANGELES, May 20 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Jeff Conaway remains in a coma after an apparent drug overdose last week, his manager told People.com.

Conaway, 60, is best known for his work in the movie musical "Grease," and the TV shows "Taxi," "Babylon 5" and "Celebrity Rehab."

The actor, who battled addictions to drugs and alcohol for decades, slipped into a coma a week ago in Los Angeles.

"He seemed fine early last week," his manager Phil Brock told People.com Thursday. "He had spoken with his agent and his management team and even attended an autograph signing. He really seemed in fine spirits."

Brock said he remains hopeful Conaway will recover.

"We hope he can finally exorcise the demons that have plagued him. He is an amazingly kind soul and there are many people who care about him," Brock said. "Over the weekend, there was head movement, but there have not been any changes in his movement or condition since then. We are concerned it may have been an overdose but we have no way of knowing for sure."

I haven't heard any of the other Taxi cast members comment. Has anyone else? If/when that happens, I would guess it would be Marilu or Tony who would speak out first - with the edge going to Marilu.

I haven't heard any of the other Taxi cast members comment. Has anyone else? If/when that happens, I would guess it would be Marilu or Tony who would speak out first - with the edge going to Marilu.
I haven't heard or read anything from the rest of the cast. I would be curious what their thoughts/feelings are about this. I think you're right that Marilu and Tony are the most likely to be heard from.

Well, his fellow Taxi cast members have yet to comment publicly, but a couple of others have:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/jeff-conaway-overdose-is-heartbreaking-to-fellow-celebrity-rehab-patient-tawny-kitaen/2011/05/19/AFEDoH7G_blog.html?wprss=celebritology

Posted at 02:45 PM ET, 05/19/2011
Jeff Conaway overdose: Dr. Drew, Tawny Kitaen react
By Sarah Anne Hughes

“Taxi” and “Grease” star Jeff Conaway is in a coma following an overdose, possibly from pain pills, the Associated Press reports. Conaway’s manager said the actor was found unconscious on May 11 and is currently in critical condition at an unnamed hospital in Encino, Calif.

Conaway’s struggle with addiction was played out for the world to see on Season 2 of VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew.” The actor attributes his abuse of alcohol and drugs to childhood sexual abuse and chronic pain stemming from a back injury, according to his VH1 bio.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of Jeff’s condition,” Dr. Drew Pinsky said in a statement. “My thoughts and prayers are with Jeff and his family.”

Model and actress Tawny Kitaen, who appeared with Conaway on the same season of “Celebrity Rehab,” called the actor “a very lovable guy.”

“He has been battling this for such a long time,” Kitaen said in a statement to the Post. “I saw first hand the 16 metal bolts he had going up his spine. He was in so much pain from his numerous back surgeries. I can’t imagine he could ever live without pain medication.”

Kitaen said Conaway “has a wonderful sense of humor and never took himself too seriously.”

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20496559,00.html

Dr. Drew: We All Need to Pray for Jeff Conaway

By Dahvi Shira and Marla Lehner

Saturday May 21, 2011 10:15 PM EDT

Jeff Conaway needs all the help and well-wishes he can get, according to Dr. Drew Pinsky.

The former Taxi actor, who was hospitalized earlier this week, is "not doing well today suddenly," Pinsky Tweeted Saturday evening.

Pinksy – who previously worked to help Conaway with his addiction to cocaine, painkillers and alcohol on Celebrity Rehab – visited the actor Friday.

"Just visited Jeff Conaway. He is stable & looks like he will recover from his pneumonia," Pinsky wrote Friday evening. "Not an OD like press is alleging & certainly not dead."

However on Saturday, Pinsky said that Conaway, 60, had taken a turn for the worse. "[He is] still considered critical with #sepsis. Many people die from septic shock. yes, he is VERY tenuous," wrote Pinsky. "My hopes & prayers r with him & his family! … Yes, we all need to pray for him."

A rep for the actor tells PEOPLE that "the use of pain killers and prescription drugs" – not an overdose – led to Conaway being found unconscious in his home.

"In any event, there is some improvement," the rep added, "and we are hopeful at this time."

I hope Jeff does recover from this. It's sad how much misinformation gets published in the press when a celebrity is ill.

Its good to know Marilu Henner and Tony Danza were at his bedside, near the end.

Its good to know Marilu Henner and Tony Danza were at his bedside, near the end.

Yes - because, I think on some level they had to know it was the end.