Since the VH1 reality show’s 2008 debut, twelve of its alumni have passed away.
Celebrity Rehab was founded by Dr. Drew Pinsky to counter the tabloids’ depiction of addiction, according to a 2009 New York Times article on the set of the show. Pinsky, 65, was first opposed to the concept of receiving treatment on television. Following the premiere of the first season of the show, the addiction medicine expert told PEOPLE about his friend, counselor Bob Forrest, who persuaded him to get treatment: “He said, ‘I am so tired of people talking about rehab who have no idea what they’re talking about.’” They are unaware of the struggles and addictions that celebrities face.
The VH1 series, which ran from 2008 to 2011, featured a number of celebrities addressing their substance misuse problems in the Pasadena Recovery Center in California with Pinsky. Celebrity Rehab featured prominent artists, actresses, sports, TV celebrities, models, and more throughout the course of five seasons. Regretfully, following their performances on the reality show, twelve celebrities have passed away. Let’s examine their lives in more detail and how they openly discussed their difficulties in an effort to assist others.
If substance misuse is a problem for you or someone you know, please call the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. Please call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or visit 988lifeline.org if you or someone you know is thinking about taking their own life.
Dim-witted Shellshock
It’s funny how life tricks us, isn’t it? The frontman of Crazy Town, who was well-known for being insane both on stage and, regrettably, off, died in June 2024 at the age of 49. Shifty went in and out of dangerous circumstances during his career, including comas and DUI accusations. It was heartbreakingly obvious how much cocaine and medications affected him. “If I kept at it, I was going to die,” he once said to PEOPLE. My goal is to remain sober.
Tom Sizemore
On March 3, 2023, Tom Sizemore, the guy whose Golden Globe-nominated performances could have you riveted to the screen, passed away. His struggle with drug usage was more tragic than amusing. Paul, his brother, said, “He was bigger than life.” More than anyone I know, he has impacted my life. I am heartbroken by his passing and will always mourn him.
Frankie Lons
Every child’s worst dread is to watch their own mother battle addiction before giving in to it. Frankie Lons, the mother of Keyshia Cole, had a turbulent life. What a horrible irony it was that she died on her own birthday. The emotional Instagram post from Elite Noel, her daughter, stated it all: “My mother in a body bag on her birthday is the worst anguish I have ever experienced! My heart ached so much.
Kitaen Tawny
At the age of 59, actress and ’80s star Tawny Kitaen passed away quietly at her Newport Beach home. Her children Wynter and Raine verified their grief with a statement, “You gave her life every day,” following her diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy. We love and miss her, and we are aware that her legacy will endure forever.
McKibbin, Nikki
Do you recall Nikki McKibbin from the inaugural season of American Idol? She was generous enough to give her organs before she went away at the age of 42 from a brain aneurysm. Craig, her spouse, put it poetically: “Even in the end, she is still giving.” An appropriate homage to a giving person.
Jason Davis
At the age of 35, the voice actor that embodied a character in Disney’s Recess passed away from fentanyl overdose. His mother remembered him as a season 4 participant who “had a true heart of gold with such a zest for life.”
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Chyna
On April 17, 2016, Chyna, a formidable WWE performer, passed away. The mixture of drugs in her system was the accidental offender. Her life served as an example of publicly facing one’s inner problems while clinging to hope.
Mindy McCready
On February 17, 2013, Mindy McCready, a country music vocalist with a beautiful voice, suddenly passed away. She dealt with alcohol and opioid addictions on the show, and her end was clouded in sadness following the suicide of her boyfriend. A terrible domino effect.
Joey Kovar
Joey Kovar, a reality star from The Real World: Hollywood, passed away suddenly at the age of 29. A life that appeared to be headed toward happiness was ended by opioid abuse. With regret, his brother remarked, “He had turned into such a happy person.” I’m still not really clear what transpired.
Rodney King
On June 17, 2012, the civil rights activist passed away at the age of 47. King’s stress from the vicious assault he suffered in 1991 at the hands of LAPD cops drove him to battle substance usage. Alcohol, marijuana, PCP, and cocaine all had a nasty part in his death; he was discovered drowning in his swimming pool.
Jeff Conaway
The well-known face of Grease actor Jeff Conaway concealed personal troubles. On May 27, 2011, the man who lighted up Broadway and little theaters alike passed away. He battled his addictions all the way to the end, but his job and the people in his life gave him comfort.
Mike Starr
To wrap up this solemn homage, on March 8, 2011, Alice in Chains’ Mike Starr overdosed on prescription drugs. Friends, family, and fans came together for an open memorial service in Seattle to honor a life that inspires people via music.
Fans Outraged After ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Refuses To Give Prize To Woman Who Answered Correctly
Please be aware that this story is being reprinted after originally appearing in January 2024.
Enraged “Wheel of Fortune” viewers are demonstrating because they think contestant Megan was unfairly denied $40,000 for what could have been the right answer.
Megan, a married choir director at a California high school, was faced with a bonus challenge that required her to figure out two words that fit the description of a “living thing.”
When Megan was guided to the puzzle board by host Pat Sajak while the wheel was spinning, the partial sentence “_ N’R _ _ _” became apparent.
Megan carefully selected the letters to write “P_N_’ RC _ D” on the board.
Megan revealed her guess in the last ten seconds, which was either “Pink Orchid” or possibly “Something Orchid.” As soon as the timer chimed and the correct letters appeared on the monitor, Megan loudly expressed her dissatisfaction at the correct response, “Pink Orchid.”
Sajak took out the prize estimate card, suspecting Megan might be right, and gave her a healthy $40,000—much more than the $14,007 she actually earned.
Observing from the comfort of their living rooms, fans were inconsolable with Megan’s response, which they saw to be unfairly wrong, and many took their frustrations out on Wheel of Fortune.
“The woman got screwed on the #WheelOfFortune bonus puzzle tonight; she totally said ‘PINK ORCHID’ right at the start,” one viewer grumbled.
As soon as she said that, I asked the judges questions! I have partial hearing in one ear and am deaf in the other, therefore I lip read and use subtitles. “Pink Orchid,” as she called me, without a doubt,” retorted one of her admirers.
“I’m blowing up!” She said, “Pink orchid,” understanding! “WTF?” exclaimed a third person.
Hello, @Fortune Wheel I heard the rival say “pink orchid” at the start of the problem, so I unwound the last one. A displeased spectator said, “You owe her some $$$.”
Okay, @WheelofFortune. If you rewind back tonight’s show to figure out the last riddle from the most recent showing, you might be able to clearly hear her say “pink orchid.” You did not give the winner proper recognition. Now play it again. That’s what she actually said! bright orchid.
In the wake of the scandal, Wheel of Fortune viewers have been criticizing the show more and more for what seem to be mistakes, such a recent debate over a rhyme during an Express round. When the show seemed to fumble over a response in the “Rhyme Time” category on January 22, the audience erupted.
The current comedy was stumping two of the contenders, but Jill, the third one, figured it out by guessing two “y’s,” which resulted in the rhyme “Absolutely Positively.”
The decision was strongly contested by supporters, who maintained that “Absolutely Positively” is not a rhyme.
“Hello, @WheelofFortune,” wrote one of the watchers. Could you please explain the rhyme between these two words? Since they most certainly don’t.
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