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The Spectacle Blog
Actor Jeff Conaway died today after being taken off life support by his family. He was 60.
Earlier this month, he was found unconscious in his home. There is some dispute as to whether this was caused by a drug overdose or by pneumonia. But in recent years, Conaway had a very public struggle with substance abuse and alcoholism. One day while flipping threw the channels I saw Conaway screaming in a wheelchair. I quickly flipped the channel. That's not how I want to remember him.
I remember Conaway as Bobby Wheeler on Taxi (which happens to be my favorite TV comedy.) Others remember Conaway from Grease. In the early 70's, Conaway played the lead role of Danny in the Broadway version of Grease. Of course, John Travolta would play that role in the movie version but Conaway would be cast in the film as Danny's best friend, Kenickie.
If you watched Taxi, you'll remember Bobby Wheeler as the struggling actor who could never quite make it despite his talent. Here's a scene where Conaway gets to show his acting chops. At least in this instance, he passes the audition.
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More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/05/27/jeff-conaway-rip
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Nick| 5.27.11 @ 5:53PM
I'm a huge Taxi fan.
One of the funniest scenes from that show (one of the funniest sit-com scenes ever, really) involved Mr. Conaway and Christopher Lloyd, when Rev. Jim takes his hack license test.
See it here, and enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvn-tBeLpCk
MikeN| 5.27.11 @ 5:54PM
Younger audiences might remember him from Babylon 5 as Zach.
Finrod| 5.28.11 @ 8:15PM
Why, thank you. I'm 42 and Babylon 5 is what I remember him from.
Kosh Naranek| 5.29.11 @ 2:59PM
Young Indeed!
Lisa| 5.30.11 @ 1:03PM
I'm fifty and that's what I remember him from.
matthew s harrison| 5.27.11 @ 6:06PM
As a 33 year actor-I have to say, Jeff Conway was a brilliant actor. I was shocked when I saw advertisements for Celebrity Rehab with Conway as a cast member. I forced my self to watch one episode and was depressed for weeks.
To see someone I held in high regard to be in that shape was a great let-down, and an affirmation of human frailty and how Hollywood chews up and spits out any/all who come forward who are at all weak of mind or spirit.
All of that said-I did Grease on stage, and compared all the cast members to those I saw on Broadway and in the Feature Film-and no one I have ever seen in the role of Kinicki ever came close to Jeff Conway's portrayal of the Character. And where Taxi is concerned, there have been few ensembles that contained such an abundance of comedic and dramatic brilliance as the cast of Taxi.
Another great talent has fallen to substance abuse. At what point are the doctors who prescribe pain pills to Hollywood types in such abundance going to be prosecuted and JAILED? How many people have to die across this country before DEA starts upholding the law? The war on drugs is a simple one-stop the dealers(in this case pill-mills and unscrupulous docs) and you dry up the demand!
beebop| 5.27.11 @ 6:10PM
I am always taken aback at the breadth of what appears on this site. Truly.
I have to wonder if the outcome might have been different had he gone to serious rehab rather than throw his lot in with a guy who plays a doctor on TV. I trust that he is finally at peace.
Bob Grant| 5.27.11 @ 7:23PM
Taxi was one of the all-time great sitcom's. It's almost an injustice calling it a sitcom because it was much more.
Jeff Conaway's role was brilliantly played.
RIP.
PCP Smoker| 5.27.11 @ 7:33PM
This creep was a loser. Glad he's gone. Good riddance.
beebop| 5.27.11 @ 9:03PM
Keep it classy ....
Bob Grant| 5.27.11 @ 9:15PM
That ship has sailed.
Tina B| 5.28.11 @ 6:44PM
Thanks to Aaron G and Nick for those great links. I never watched Taxi much, I regret that now. Glad there's Youtube.
Nick| 5.28.11 @ 11:25PM
Thanks Tina!
If you liked that clip, check this one out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
This clip is the end of the show, but, the whole show is there in three parts. So, if you want to see the whole show, start with part 1. The end is really hilarious.
Pete| 5.29.11 @ 3:34PM
Well, we finally know what Mr. Conaway's particular bottom was. Live and let die.
Kitty| 5.31.11 @ 6:16AM
Wow, "bastard" wasn't bleeped from the show?!?