'Grease' and 'Taxi' actor Jeff Conaway dies at age 60

'Grease' and 'Taxi' actor Jeff Conaway dies at age 60

2011-05-28 06:02:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

LOS ANGELES (BNO NEWS) -- 'Grease' and 'Taxi' actor Jeff Conaway on Friday died at the age of 60 due to complication with pneumonia and sepsis, his representative said.

Conaway, of New York, was found unconscious on May 11 at his Encino, California home. Initial reports indicated that the cause was due to overdosing from painkillers. However, the actor's substance abuse doctor, Drew Pinsky, later diagnosed Conaway with pneumonia and sepsis.

According to Conaway's representative Phil Brock, the actor had been facing back problems, which he had been treating with pain killers, but after the May 11 incident, he was transferred to the Encino Tarzana Medical Center, where he never regained consciousness until his death.

On Thursday afternoon, Conaway was taken off life support under the supervision of his family.

Conaway began his acting career in Broadway at the early age of two, and in 1978, he starred alongside John Travolta in the motion picture musical 'Grease.' He portrayed Travolta's rebel sidekick Kenickle.

Shortly after, Conaway began portraying the role of Bobby Wheeler in TV hit series 'Taxi' from 1978 to 1982. His role would later earn him a Golden Globe Award nomination.

In 2008, Conaway was also featured in reality show 'Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,' where his alcohol and drug addiction became widely known.

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