David Cassidy Reveals he is Battling Dementia
by Christina Dugan
2/20/17


David Cassidy is battling dementia.

The 66-year-old actor, widely known for his starring role as Keith Partridge on the 1970s series "The Partridge Family", reveals to PEOPLE that he is fighting the memory loss disease.





The actor, who watched his grandfather struggle with the disease and witnessed his mother “disappear” from the disease herself, tells PEOPLE of his diagnosis: “I was in denial, but a part of me always knew this was coming.”

Now that he’s come to terms his condition, Cassidy has made the decision to stop touring as a musician to concentrate on his health and happiness. “I want to focus on what I am, who I am, and how I’ve been without any distractions,” he says. “I want to love. I want to enjoy life.”





Cassidy’s revelation follows a roller coaster of personal ups and downs that the actor has faced in the past decade, including a show in Agoura Hills, California, this past weekend where Cassidy repeatedly struggled to remember lyrics to songs he had been singing for nearly 50 years.

In November 2010, he was charged with a DUI and was subsequently charged with the same offense in August 2013 and January 2014. A month after his third arrest, his wife, Sue Shifrin-Cassidy, filed for divorce. In February 2015, the actor filed for bankruptcy and was charged following his hit-and-run eight months later in October 2015.

The ’70s teen heartthrob has also battled substance abuse issues, including a stint in rehab in 2014.

http://ew.com/news/2017/02/20/david-cassidy-dementia/

Yes, this news comes only about a day after that worrisome performance he gave. Somehow I could tell that there was something really wrong with him.
Doesn't Glenn Campbell also have dementia, and is even in a nursing home now?



http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2017/02/20/david-cassidy-partridge-family-says-he-has-dementia/98173252/

http://extratv.com/2017/02/20/david-cassidy-reveals-his-shocking-struggle-with-dementia/

https://twitter.com/HuffingtonPost?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/david-cassidy-reveals-hes-suffering-from-dementia-w467940

http://fox8.com/2017/02/20/david-cassidy-fighting-memory-loss-wants-to-enjoy-life/

https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2017/02/20/the-partridge-family-star-david-cassidy-reveals-heartbreaking/21718005/

http://people.com/celebrity/david-cassidy-dementia/

That's really sad. :(
Hopefully at least he can find some peace in retirement. He's definitely had a rough past few years.

For someone that had everything, he's had a pretty sad life. And worse, most of it was his own doing.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2017/02/20/david-cassidy-partridge-family-says-he-has-dementia/98173252/

http://extratv.com/2017/02/20/david-cassidy-reveals-his-shocking-struggle-with-dementia/

https://twitter.com/HuffingtonPost?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/david-cassidy-reveals-hes-suffering-from-dementia-w467940

http://fox8.com/2017/02/20/david-cassidy-fighting-memory-loss-wants-to-enjoy-life/

https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2017/02/20/the-partridge-family-star-david-cassidy-reveals-heartbreaking/21718005/

http://people.com/celebrity/david-cassidy-dementia/

Are 7 links really necessary? :confused: The one in the original post was good enough.

It could be Korsakoff's Syndrome (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korsakoff's_syndrome) brought on by alcohol abuse. Rehab's useless if he's forgotten he's ever been. On stage, the dementia and the drinking would be a recipe for disaster.

It could be Korsakoff's Syndrome (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korsakoff's_syndrome) brought on by alcohol abuse. Rehab's useless if he's forgotten he's ever been. On stage, the dementia and the drinking would be a recipe for disaster.


Wow!! That is really sad:( ! I was thinking that too,maybe the dementia was caused or made worse by his years of alcohol abuse! :( His Grandfather and Mother also had dementia though!

Poor David! I will pray for him!

Yes, this news comes only about a day after that worrisome performance he gave. Somehow I could tell that there was something really wrong with him.
Doesn't Glenn Campbell also have dementia, and is even in a nursing home now?



http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2017/02/20/david-cassidy-partridge-family-says-he-has-dementia/98173252/

http://extratv.com/2017/02/20/david-cassidy-reveals-his-shocking-struggle-with-dementia/

https://twitter.com/HuffingtonPost?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/david-cassidy-reveals-hes-suffering-from-dementia-w467940

http://fox8.com/2017/02/20/david-cassidy-fighting-memory-loss-wants-to-enjoy-life/

https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2017/02/20/the-partridge-family-star-david-cassidy-reveals-heartbreaking/21718005/

http://people.com/celebrity/david-cassidy-dementia/


Yes Glen Campbell too! :( And he also was a very heavy drinker! :(

I didn't comment in the last thread about him because I thought there may have been some kind of health problem responsible for his behavior. It's all very sad. I wish David and his family the best. I loved The Partridge Family the first time I saw it on Nick at Nite.

Are 7 links really necessary? :confused: The one in the original post was good enough.


Well it is not necessary for you to read all, or any, of them . You have the choice of reading one and not bother with the rest.
The news came from various sources.

Wow!! That is really sad:( ! I was thinking that too,maybe the dementia was caused or made worse by his years of alcohol abuse! :( His Grandfather and Mother also had dementia though!

That's exactly what I was thinking, Bonnie. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol-related_dementia

Well it is not necessary for you to read all, or any, of them . You have the choice of reading one and not bother with the rest.
The news came from various sources.

Zoneboy is just mad because he didn't get to report this sad news first. He has this morbid hobby of waiting for people to die so he can be the first one to report it on SitcomsOnline.

Zoneboy is just mad because he didn't get to report this sad news first. He has this morbid hobby of waiting for people to die so he can be the first one to report it on SitcomsOnline.

With all due respect, that's not very polite and not accurate. I've posted about deaths before and he hasn't gotten mad or upset.

I have always enjoyed your posts and usually agree with your points but let's not make this personal. I believe the post ZB made was as a moderator and not intended to be competitive.

Zoneboy is just mad because he didn't get to report this sad news first. He has this morbid hobby of waiting for people to die so he can be the first one to report it on SitcomsOnline.

I'm not mad about that at all and really don't appreciate the accusation. I just thought that 7 links to the same thing was way beyond overkill. I might could see posting one extra, but 7?

I believe the post ZB made was as a moderator and not intended to be competitive.

I'm not a mod on this board so the comment was made simply as an observation.

I'm not mad about that at all and really don't appreciate the accusation. I just thought that 7 links to the same thing was way beyond overkill. I might could see posting one extra, but 7?


Well you are the only one who seemed to have some objection.

Anyway, I can't say that I will bend over backwards about it, but I will try not to do anything that upsets you.

Yes Glen Campbell too! :( And he also was a very heavy drinker! :(

Considering this, I think that with Glenn Campbell it is possibly dementia induced by alcohol abuse. I don't know if he had parents and grandparents with dementia.
With David, he may have at least two strikes against him.

That very last disastrous concert was very tell-tale though. He had seemed intoxicated at certain concerts in the past few years but this one really showed him in a way that instinct would tell you could not be intoxication alone.
It seemed he was fighting off a heart attack at times.

(I think Glenn Campbell once or twice got arrested for domestic -abuse or for angrily banging on the door of a woman he was having a relationship with. The police said Campbell was apparently drunk).

Seven links is excessive, unless it's stated that they're all duplicates. Otherwise, people might open all of the links, thinking there's something different in each one.

And there's no need to get personal. Zoneboy isn't morbid and takes no pleasure in bad news. We appreciate his help in keeping up with death notices.

Zoneboy isn't morbid and takes no pleasure in bad news.

I'm not so sure about that. It always looks like a race to be there first.

I'm not so sure about that. It always looks like a race to be there first.

It's not a race, whenever I post an obit I have no idea whether or not someone else is trying to do the same and likewise neither does anyone else who may be trying to post. I know I post a lot of obits, but due to my living situation I'm also at the computer most of the day and the majority of that time is listing on eBay.

In a way, this is ridiculously funny. In a way I am sorry I started this.

Regarding this topic, I wonder why Wikipedia is so far behind on this news (as of this date February 22 2017).
It does not mention Cassidy's recent revelation of his dementia.

Wikipedia is always very quick to post the demise of someone who is famous and who's biography is on its web pages.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cassidy

To update this post, Wikipedia finally has mention of David Cassidy
making a public statement on February 20 2017 that he has dementia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvBumWrXLCA


More discussion has come up in the internet about it.
There are questions about whether he actually has dementia or if he is just a drunk.
I have even read that none other than Dr Phil was at the venue where David was to perform and he filmed the chaotic concert because he knew what was going to happen and it would be an opportunity, however exploitative, to afterward make himself look like he is the one who can help David and others . It is a just a relatively mild rumor yet, but considering that David was on "The Doctors" weeks back ( which to my understanding is a show created by Dr Phil) it could explain how Dr Phil knew enough to have that train-wreck concert videotaped.
(Am I alone in thinking that "The Doctors" has Jumped The Shark long ago? Also, Dr Phil? )

Nevertheless, if these are possible facts, then it also has to be asked as to how otherwise David could have been allowed to carry out the concert if anyone knew what condition he was in at that time?
I can't be sure, but it seems that members of the band would have wanted to cancel the performance or the management of the venue, or maybe David's agent or other people who work with him.

However, not to be morbid myself, but it definitely seems to me that, for David, it is a matter of time, and it won't be too long. He is in bad condition and either has a serious genetic problem that nothing can be done about, or he is a danger to himself and is in a state of no return. Maybe both.

It is sad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvBumWrXLCA


More discussion has come up in the internet about it.
There are questions about whether he actually has dementia or if he is just a drunk.
I have even read that none other than Dr Phil was at the venue where David was to perform and he filmed the chaotic concert because he knew what was going to happen and it would be an opportunity, however exploitative, to afterward make himself look like he is the one who can help David and others . It is a just a relatively mild rumor yet, but considering that David was on "The Doctors" weeks back ( which to my understanding is a show created by Dr Phil) it could explain how Dr Phil knew enough to have that train-wreck concert videotaped.
(Am I alone in thinking that "The Doctors" has Jumped The Shark long ago? Also, Dr Phil? )

Nevertheless, if these are possible facts, then it also has to be asked as to how otherwise David could have been allowed to carry out the concert if anyone knew what condition he was in at that time?
I can't be sure, but it seems that members of the band would have wanted to cancel the performance or the management of the venue, or maybe David's agent or other people who work with him.

However, not to be morbid myself, but it definitely seems to me that, for David, it is a matter of time, and it won't be too long. He is in bad condition and either has a serious genetic problem that nothing can be done about, or he is a danger to himself and is in a state of no return. Maybe both.

It is sad.

You're doing a lot of presuming here, honestly. I know it's the modern thing to do, but I don't get why everyone always has to go the absolute most negative explanation and outlook for things like this, particularly when there are other outcomes that are just as viable.

I prefer to be realistic; while understanding that tragic outcomes are ALWAYS possible, I also leave room for hope that Mr. Cassidy's life can have light and meaning and even a fair amount of length. I don't know what the ultimate outcome will be, and neither do you. Let's just pray for the best and not get into the prognosticating business.

You're doing a lot of presuming here, honestly. I know it's the modern thing to do, but I don't get why everyone always has to go the absolute most negative explanation and outlook for things like this, particularly when there are other outcomes that are just as viable.

I prefer to be realistic; while understanding that tragic outcomes are ALWAYS possible, I also leave room for hope that Mr. Cassidy's life can have light and meaning and even a fair amount of length. I don't know what the ultimate outcome will be, and neither do you. Let's just pray for the best and not get into the prognosticating business.

I love your TAXI signature and agree with this post. I could quote that show all day. :wave:

My mom has Alzheimer's and brings a lot of light to my life. I thank God she has medication that helps her with her symptoms for as long as possible.

My best wishes to Mr. Cassidy and his family. :)

I love your TAXI signature and agree with this post. I could quote that show all day. :wave:

My mom has Alzheimer's and brings a lot of light to my life. I thank God she has medication that helps her with her symptoms for as long as possible.

My best wishes to Mr. Cassidy and his family. :)

Thanks! That's been my signature for a long time and I like it, too. I really think TAXI is a very underappreciated show.

My best wishes to your mom. I really fear Alzheimer's; I'm 52 years old and I think about it a lot. So many people get it. But I'm so glad you can see light coming from your mom and I'm sure you make her condition as positive as possible.

Take care and thanks! :wave:

Thanks! That's been my signature for a long time and I like it, too. I really think TAXI is a very underappreciated show.

My best wishes to your mom. I really fear Alzheimer's; I'm 52 years old and I think about it a lot. So many people get it. But I'm so glad you can see light coming from your mom and I'm sure you make her condition as positive as possible.

Take care and thanks! :wave:

God Bless you for that comment, Retrofor4Life. Very kind. :wave:

I agree that TAXI is very underappreciated. So much better than most of the schlock that is on the air today in my opinion.

David Cassidy will be on Dr. Phil Wednesday, March 1st.


jloyqBO6ZGo

David Cassidy will be on Dr. Phil Wednesday, March 1st.


jloyqBO6ZGo

Well, now I feel even more sorry for David.

Dr. Phil... :facepalm:

Well, now I feel even more sorry for David.

Dr. Phil... :facepalm:

Me too. I hate how Dr. Phil takes advantage of these situations.:(

Me too. I hate how Dr. Phil takes advantage of these situations.:(

Never been a fan, for the reason you stated.

The link below should lead to a video of the entire interview , commercials and all.
At the end Dr Phil seems to state that he offered David Cassidy all kinds of medical or psychological help for dementia or substance abuse, and that viewers can also get the help they need by going to Dr Phil's website.

Of course it is good if Dr Phil actually does anything to help David Cassidy, but it still sounds as if it is for the sake of promoting himself (Dr Phil).

During the interview Dr Phil seemed to be saying that he doubts that the recent "Train wreck" concert was due to dementia rather than intoxication.
Dr Phil also said that he asked David to provide medical paperwork as proof that he was actually diagnosed, but David refused to provide such proof to Dr Phil. (Would you?)
What I find really strange is that it is said that David called Dr Phil so as to be on his show and talk about dementia and his family's history of dementia.
That seems to be career suicide , to be on Dr Phil.

Well, there is still more to be found out though. I don't ultimately know where this will go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpI4SmgWp_w

The link below should lead to a video of the entire interview , commercials and all.
At the end Dr Phil seems to state that he offered David Cassidy all kinds of medical or psychological help for dementia or substance abuse, and that viewers can also get the help they need by going to Dr Phil's website.

Of course it is good if Dr Phil actually does anything to help David Cassidy, but it still sounds as if it is for the sake of promoting himself (Dr Phil).

During the interview Dr Phil seemed to be saying that he doubts that the recent "Train wreck" concert was due to dementia rather than intoxication.
Dr Phil also said that he asked David to provide medical paperwork as proof that he was actually diagnosed, but David refused to provide such proof to Dr Phil. (Would you?)
What I find really strange is that it is said that David called Dr Phil so as to be on his show and talk about dementia and his family's history of dementia.
That seems to be career suicide , to be on Dr Phil.

Well, there is still more to be found out though. I don't ultimately know where this will go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpI4SmgWp_w

If he is battling dementia, his career is most likely about over anyway. He may know this and just want to get his message out there for people.

I'm really not concerned or interested in Dr. Phil's "theories" about Cassidy; to me, he's a huckster know-it-all who never misses a chance to make a buck off of misery. If Cassidy was fine with being on the show, God bless him, but I wish he would have picked a more savory character to reveal his illness to.

Dr Phil also said that he asked David to provide medical paperwork as proof that he was actually diagnosed, but David refused to provide such proof to Dr Phil. (Would you?)


That's awful! That's not something most people would lie about and it runs in David's family.

David may have went on the show for the appearance fee. He's filed for bankruptcy in the past and now that he's sick, his future earnings are going to be even more limited. Even with insurance, medical and nursing home bills are outrageous.

David may have went on the show for the appearance fee. He's filed for bankruptcy in the past and now that he's sick, his future earnings are going to be even more limited. Even with insurance, medical and nursing home bills are outrageous.



A lot of people say that Cassidy's career has been over since the Partridge Family went off the air.
Of course that is not correct. Since then, he has acted in plays and musicals and had made records and acted in certain TV series and movies and has recorded music or has collaborated with other musicians etc.

Sure his heyday came to an end after the cancellation of PF as well as after his very first farewell tour back in the 70s, and of course his original fans grew up and a lot of them just did not want to admit they were ever into soft pop, and forgot about him, while some of his loyal fans still went to his concerts decades later. Not everything he did was given good reviews by critics or by the public.

For those of us who were around when Partridge Family episodes first aired, it is sad and astonishing to think that we have reached a point in which the teen idols of our time are no younger than their 60s and it seems that though there are other performers like Glenn Campbell who have been around for decades, and are now dealing with the kind of medical problems associated with advanced age, memory loss and dementia and even senility, it just seems particularly odd that is happening to David Cassidy even though it is something that runs in his family.

What you say about nursing home bills is really depressing. It looks like David may be fated to be a broke, ailing former teen idol in an assisted living facility that may not be well run.

It looks like David may be fated to be a broke, ailing former teen idol in an assisted living facility that may not be well run.

Or, we can choose to be hopeful, and think that he may have loved ones who will make his remaining years bright and as happy as possible, and that the nursing facility option won't be necessary for many years to come.

I'm not sure why it's always so preferable to think so negatively about this case. :confused:

Or, we can choose to be hopeful, and think that he may have loved ones who will make his remaining years bright and as happy as possible, and that the nursing facility option won't be necessary for many years to come.

I'm not sure why it's always so preferable to think so negatively about this case. :confused:

It is just that things look grim. David is in very poor health and it is very obvious.

As I type this he is doing his very last concert at BB King's in New York City at 8:00 PM and I live only two blocks away from there. I walked there a few minutes ago and asked if the concert is sold out, and I was told yes.

The concert should be in progress as of this writing.
Hopefully David is feeling well and able to perform this very last concert of his.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7yZQ_FARqs

There are posts of David's last concert on YouTube. These are the most recent.

He seems to have performed better than that unfortunate previous one that was very publicized.
Yet if you look at some of the other videos of this very last performance, you will see that though he did not fall down or have slurred speech, he was at times, reprimanding the audience.
It may be a sign of psychological and mental deteriorating since dementia (whether hereditary or brought on by alcohol abuse or both) results in behavioral changes and increased irritability and anxiety and depression.

Just found this on the internet.
Don't know if someone else already posted it.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4288604/Danny-Bonaduce-reveals-David-Cassidy-s-fight-dementia.html

For someone that had everything, he's had a pretty sad life. And worse, most of it was his own doing.

I dunno. Yes he did have fame and money for a while, but with that, the absolute lack of privacy. And his home life wasn't the greatest-with a nut job for a father who makes David look like the voice of sanity.

Still, many have risen above situations like this. His drug abuse though I think is the cause of most of his woes. I just wish him well, and that his life and health somehow turn around.

It is rather controversial. On one hand he has been obviously sick and on the decline for several years.
I have read online reviews of his performances dating back to approximately 2010 or 2011 when he was performing with Davey Jones. The various reviews stated that Davey Jones was charming and the shining star of the show, while David Cassidy appeared drunk and not able to perform and made it not worth it to pay to see the performance.
After Davy died, David Cassidy sung "Daydream Believer" whenever he performed in tribute to Davy. There is one video on YouTube only a few weeks after Davy's death and David gets the beginning words to Daydream Believer all wrong. Drunkenness or dementia?
It could be both. Still , after David officially announced that he was diagnosed with Dementia, he did one more performance in NY and then abruptly retired from touring. The almost-instant retirement was not originally planned until his "ultimate train-wreck" performance in California in which he fell on stage and rambled incoherently at times.
Now very soon after his very last performance, people close to him, or who know him well enough are saying that he is not well, and in hiding and scared etc.
It seems that the dementia's progress increased its speed after possibly starting at a slower pace approximately in 2010.
Some comments on the internet say that it is just a good excuse to escape certain financial debts .


http://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/776131/David-Cassidy-terrified-dementia-battle-The-Partridge-Family-Danny-Bonaduce

Now there is news that few people inherit dementia. Still. I bet a lot of us know others, whether family or neighbors or friends, who make it seem it very often is genetic.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2017/mar/13/doctors-few-people-inherit-dementia/417287/