This is so sad. ‘Real World’ star and AIDS activist Sean, who is best known for his bright personality and big heart, has died from a rare cancer at only 44-years-old.
Sean Sasser, an AIDS activist and The Real World recurring star, died on August 6, his friend and cast member Judd Winick announced. Sean, who was HIV positive, was suffering from mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lungs, and his partner Michael Kaplan confirmed that this is what caused his death.
Sean Sasser Dies At 44 Years Old
Sean, 44, lost his battle with the disease, after spending years suffering from AIDS.
“Our friend Sean Sasser has died. Our love goes out to his family & husband Michael. We will miss u so much,” Judd tweeted on August 6.
Wilson Cruz, another cast member, said “My hearts. Another beacon of light in our community is darkened tonight with the passing of AIDS activist Sean Sasser.
Sean Sasser, an AIDS activist and The Real World recurring star, died on August 6, his friend and cast member Judd Winick announced. Sean, who was HIV positive, was suffering from mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lungs, and his partner Michael Kaplan confirmed that this is what caused his death.
Sean Sasser Dies At 44 Years Old
Sean, 44, lost his battle with the disease, after spending years suffering from AIDS.
“Our friend Sean Sasser has died. Our love goes out to his family & husband Michael. We will miss u so much,” Judd tweeted on August 6.
Wilson Cruz, another cast member, said “My hearts. Another beacon of light in our community is darkened tonight with the passing of AIDS activist Sean Sasser.
- 8/8/2013
- by Eleanore Hutch
- HollywoodLife
Shain Gandee’s death was extremely sad for fans of ‘Buckwild,’ but he’s not the first reality TV star to have a shocking death. Browse through our gallery to see all the reality star deaths we’ve endured over the last few years.
Sadly, there are many people we’ve gotten to know through our favorite reality TV shows that met tragedy. From Shain Gandee to Mindy McCready, we’ve been forced to say goodbye to some of our favorite reality TV stars.
‘Buckwild’ Star, Shain Gandee, Dies In Tragic Accident
Buckwild star Shain is the most recent reality star to meet a tragic end. Shain appeared on the first season of MTV’s Buckwild, a reality show that follows young people in West Virginia participating in wild, reckless activities. On April 1, Shain, who was known for doing the craziest things on the show, was found dead in what...
Sadly, there are many people we’ve gotten to know through our favorite reality TV shows that met tragedy. From Shain Gandee to Mindy McCready, we’ve been forced to say goodbye to some of our favorite reality TV stars.
‘Buckwild’ Star, Shain Gandee, Dies In Tragic Accident
Buckwild star Shain is the most recent reality star to meet a tragic end. Shain appeared on the first season of MTV’s Buckwild, a reality show that follows young people in West Virginia participating in wild, reckless activities. On April 1, Shain, who was known for doing the craziest things on the show, was found dead in what...
- 4/6/2013
- by Christopher Rogers
- HollywoodLife
Nashville, Tenn. — The criticism of Dr. Drew Pinsky spread on the Internet almost as quickly as news of Mindy McCready's death.
The country singer with the tumultuous personal life became the fifth cast member of his "Celebrity Rehab" series to die since appearing on the show and the third from Season 3. The previous deaths stirred up rumors of a curse and a debate about the show's helpfulness. McCready's apparent suicide upped the pitch of the reaction, however.
Singer Richard Marx on Twitter compared Pinsky to Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the so-called suicide doctor: "Same results."
Marx backed off later Monday, saying the crack went too far. But he restated his thoughts in a way that summed up much of the reaction in the first 24 hours since the 37-year-old McCready's death Sunday afternoon in Heber Springs, Ark.
"It is, however, my opinion that what Dr. D does is exploitation and his...
The country singer with the tumultuous personal life became the fifth cast member of his "Celebrity Rehab" series to die since appearing on the show and the third from Season 3. The previous deaths stirred up rumors of a curse and a debate about the show's helpfulness. McCready's apparent suicide upped the pitch of the reaction, however.
Singer Richard Marx on Twitter compared Pinsky to Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the so-called suicide doctor: "Same results."
Marx backed off later Monday, saying the crack went too far. But he restated his thoughts in a way that summed up much of the reaction in the first 24 hours since the 37-year-old McCready's death Sunday afternoon in Heber Springs, Ark.
"It is, however, my opinion that what Dr. D does is exploitation and his...
- 2/19/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
On Sunday night, when news hit of Mindy McCready's apparent suicide, Lisa D'Amato got a phone call from actress Mackenzie Phillips, a cast mate on season 3 of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. "We were just trying to put it all together, figure out what happened," D'Amato tells People. "Mackenzie doesn't know either. The one thing about Mindy is that she was very much seeming to be fine and perfect on the surface, but she was battling a lot." McCready, 37, became the third person from their season to die, joining musician Mike Starr and reality star Joey Kovar. "I'm just numb,...
- 2/19/2013
- by Mike Fleeman
- PEOPLE.com
The death of country singer Mindy McCready once again casts VH1′s former reality series Celebrity Rehab in a tragic light.
The 37-year-old McCready died Sunday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the recent death of her boyfriend David Wilson under similar circumstances. This marks the fifth participant on the show to die in the past two years.
Celebrity Rehab host Dr. Drew Pinsky issued this statement: “I am deeply saddened by this awful news. My heart goes out to Mindy’s family and children. She is a lovely woman who will be missed by many. Although I have not...
The 37-year-old McCready died Sunday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the recent death of her boyfriend David Wilson under similar circumstances. This marks the fifth participant on the show to die in the past two years.
Celebrity Rehab host Dr. Drew Pinsky issued this statement: “I am deeply saddened by this awful news. My heart goes out to Mindy’s family and children. She is a lovely woman who will be missed by many. Although I have not...
- 2/18/2013
- by James Hibberd
- EW - Inside TV
Country singer Mindy McCready died Sunday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Dateline NBC correspondent Andrea Canning, who tweeted the news. She is the fifth former cast member of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" to have died since appearing on the show.
McCready first got in trouble over her drug use in 2004, following an arrest for using a fake prescription to buy OxyContin. She appeared on the VH1 program in 2010 to kick that problem, as well as issues with alcohol and Xanax.
The question has been asked again, and again, of whether "Celebrity Rehab," which televises the drug rehabilitation process, actually helps the patient. Along with McCready, Jeff Conaway, Rodney King, Mike Starr, and Joey Kovar have all died since appearing on the program, the Daily Beast points out. Additionally, many former cast members have relapsed, making headlines in the process.
McCready leaves behind two sons,...
McCready first got in trouble over her drug use in 2004, following an arrest for using a fake prescription to buy OxyContin. She appeared on the VH1 program in 2010 to kick that problem, as well as issues with alcohol and Xanax.
The question has been asked again, and again, of whether "Celebrity Rehab," which televises the drug rehabilitation process, actually helps the patient. Along with McCready, Jeff Conaway, Rodney King, Mike Starr, and Joey Kovar have all died since appearing on the program, the Daily Beast points out. Additionally, many former cast members have relapsed, making headlines in the process.
McCready leaves behind two sons,...
- 2/18/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Sahara Davenport was just 27. Here's a look at other reality stars who, like RuPaul's Drag Race alum, died before the age of 30: 1. Joey Kovar: In August, the aspiring actor and fitness buff, whose battles with sobriety caused him to move out of The Real World: Hollywood, and later led him to Celebrity Rehab, was found dead in his native Chicago of a suspected overdose. He was 29. 2. Leslie Carter: Her show-biz clan's reality series House of Carter was short-lived; her family's troubles were not. Leslie, a younger sister of pop stars Nick Carter and Aaron Carter, died this past winter of an overdose at her father's home in Buffalo, New York. She was 25. 3....
- 10/3/2012
- E! Online
For hours on Aug. 22, Melanie Tomas stood next to Joey Kovar's coffin, refusing to leave his side, until the last of approximately 1,000 mourners finally left the Kosary Funeral Home in Evergreen Park, Ill., at 11 p.m. Even now, more than two weeks after the wake for her off-and-on boyfriend - a reality star from MTV's The Real World: Hollywood in 2008 - Tomas, 24, is struggling to make sense out of his sudden death at age 29. "Joe was in the best mind frame and direction of his life," Tomas, who is the mother of Kovar's 2-year-old daughter Maira, tells People.
- 9/6/2012
- by Dahvi Shira
- PEOPLE.com
Joey Kovar dabbled in the world of professional wrestling before his unexpected death ... and this weekend, TMZ has learned his former colleagues honored his memory with an emotional tribute. We broke the story ... Kovar joined up with Poww Entertainment in 2010, following his stint on "The Real World: Hollywood" ... and dreamed of someday wrestling for Tna. Poww's head-honcho Jim Blaze tells TMZ ... Kovar was beloved during his stint with the league, and while he never made it to Tna,...
- 8/20/2012
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
'Real World: Hollywood' star Joey Kovar, 29, died of a suspected overdose at a friend's home near Chicago on August 17. But Joey's brother, David Kovar, spoke with HollywoodLife.com Exclusively and said 'my brother was clean.' Read on for more details! Former reality star, Joey Kovar, who starred in Real World: Hollywood and Celebrity Rehab was found dead on August 17. Autopsy results were deemed inconclusive -- and Joey's brother David Kovar tells us why! David spoke with HollywoodLife.com exclusively and said, "Don't believe the media and the crap they're saying. My brother was clean. Had been for quite some time. Plain and simple." When asked what he thought took his brother's life, David said, "I believe it was some sort of health issue. He was doing too good. I don't know. I can't think straight." http://youtu.be/9qJFW6M_Vh0 Joey reportedly spent his free time with his 3-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter.
- 8/20/2012
- by Christopher Rogers
- HollywoodLife
Los Angeles, California (X17online.com) - An autopsy for former MTV Real World: Hollywood cast member Joey Kovar was "inconclusive," after his death of a reported overdose last week. The reality star was found dead, at age 29, by a female friend last Friday when she noticed blood coming from his ears and nose. Kovar had a history of drug and alcohol abuse; in fact, he entered rehab mid-way through the Real World season in 2008. "It's so hard to admit that I've got a problem, man," he told his roommates. "... I remember laying on the floor and just did like, so much cocaine, did so much alcohol, and looking at the sky and just being like, 'Yeah, I'm ready to die.'" Kovar appeared on Celebrity Rehab in 2010.
- 8/20/2012
- x17online.com
'Real World: Hollywood' star Joey Kovar was found dead at a friend's home near Chicago on August 17. A new report claims the reality star overdosed on viagra, cocaine and alcohol. Read on for more details. Former reality star, Joey Kovar, who starred in Real World: Hollywood and Celebrity Rehab was found dead on August 17. Unfortunately, family members reportedly believe the star was killed due to an overdose of various substances. "Joey was discovered by a female friend early this morning who noticed blood coming out of Joey's ears and nose. The woman called 911 and authorities rushed to the scene where he was pronounced dead," Joey's rep tells TMZ. Joey looked for help with cocaine and ecstasy addictions during his time on Celebrity Rehab. Joey also entered rehab halfway through his season on The Real World for alcohol and drugs, problems he admitted to struggling with for years. "On August 16, just before midnight,...
- 8/18/2012
- by Christopher Rogers
- HollywoodLife
Real World: Hollywood star Joey Kovar has died at 29 years old, MTV confirms. The former reality star and aspiring actor was found dead at a friend's house in his native Chicago on Friday, Aug. 17. According to a report from TMZ, the death is believed to be drug related. "MTV is deeply saddened to learn that Joey Kovar of 'The Real World: Hollywood' has passed away," the network said. "We offer our sympathies to Joey's loved ones, family and friends." Kovar publicly battled addictions during his time on the reality program in 2008. At one point, he
read more...
read more...
- 8/17/2012
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Reality star Joey Kovar -- who appeared on MTV's Real World: Hollywood and VH1's Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew -- was found dead Friday morning in a suburb of Chicago. He was 29 years old.
Police and family members confirmed the death to the Chicago Tribune, saying police and paramedics were called to an apartment building in the Chicago Ridge area about 9 a.m. Friday where Kovar was discovered.
Pics: Celebrity Rehab Successes
Kovar's family told the Tribune that he had been sober for about six months and was working on a new project. His brother David Kovar said Joey was at a friend's home overnight, but family members had spoken with him Thursday night.
Kovar had admitted to being an addict and his drug and alcohol use were shown during his Real World: Hollywood stint, which was cut short when his behavior got out of hand and he was asked to leave the show.
Related: [link=nm...
Police and family members confirmed the death to the Chicago Tribune, saying police and paramedics were called to an apartment building in the Chicago Ridge area about 9 a.m. Friday where Kovar was discovered.
Pics: Celebrity Rehab Successes
Kovar's family told the Tribune that he had been sober for about six months and was working on a new project. His brother David Kovar said Joey was at a friend's home overnight, but family members had spoken with him Thursday night.
Kovar had admitted to being an addict and his drug and alcohol use were shown during his Real World: Hollywood stint, which was cut short when his behavior got out of hand and he was asked to leave the show.
Related: [link=nm...
- 8/17/2012
- Entertainment Tonight
'Real World: Hollywood' star Joey Kovar was found dead at a friend's home near Chicago on August 17. In the weeks before his passing, Joey sent out a number of positive tweets, making his death that much more upsetting. Read on for more details. Former reality star, Joey Kovar, who starred in Real World: Hollywood and Celebrity Rehab was found dead on August 17. But his tweets before his death were eerily positive. "Joey was discovered by a female friend early this morning who noticed blood coming out of Joey's ears and nose. The woman called 911 and authorities rushed to the scene where he was pronounced dead," Joey's rep tells TMZ. Joey looked for help with cocaine and ecstasy addictions during his time on Celebrity Rehab. Joey also entered rehab halfway through his season on The Real World for alcohol and drugs, problems he admitted to struggling with for years. In the past few weeks,...
- 8/17/2012
- by Christopher Rogers
- HollywoodLife
Reality star Joey Kovar, who appeared on "The Real World: Hollywood" and "Celebrity Rehab," was found dead at a friend's home near Chicago on Friday (Aug. 17) morning, reports TMZ.
A female friend called 911 after finding Kovar with blood coming out of his ears and nose. Authorities pronounced him dead at the scene. Family members reportedly believe drugs played a part in the 29-year-old's death.
Kovar entered rehab during his season of "The Real World" in 2008 following an intervention by his housemates who were frightened by his alcohol use. He admitted at the time that he had struggled with substance abuse for years. Kovar also sought treatment on the show "Celebrity Rehab" for cocaine and ecstasy use. ...
A female friend called 911 after finding Kovar with blood coming out of his ears and nose. Authorities pronounced him dead at the scene. Family members reportedly believe drugs played a part in the 29-year-old's death.
Kovar entered rehab during his season of "The Real World" in 2008 following an intervention by his housemates who were frightened by his alcohol use. He admitted at the time that he had struggled with substance abuse for years. Kovar also sought treatment on the show "Celebrity Rehab" for cocaine and ecstasy use. ...
- 8/17/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Real World: Hollywood star Joey Kovar was found dead on Friday. Kovar, who also appeared on Celebrity Rehab, was discovered early Friday morning by a friend who saw blood coming out of his nose and ears and called the police, his rep told TMZ. When authorities arrived, Kovar was pronounced dead. He was 29. Described on his Twitter page as an "Ex Reality Star, Musician, Song writer, Model, Actor, Professional Wrestler, Nutrition and Supplement Enthusiast, Personal Trainer, Security Guard," Kovar struggled publicly with drug abuse, entering rehab while filming the Real World and seeking help on Celebrity Rehab for addiction to cocaine and ecstasy.
- 8/17/2012
- PEOPLE.com
A sad day for the MTV family. Real World alum Joey Kovar was found dead at a friend's home in Chicago early this morning. TMZ reports that Kovar's family believes it was because of drug use. He was apparently found by a female friend and had blood coming from his nose and ears. He was only 29 years old.
As fans of The Real World: Hollywood know, Joey wasn't new to the drug scene. He entered rehab mid-season and later appeared on Celeb Rehab seeking help for cocaine and ecstasy.
Our hearts go out to his family and friends. MTV's Twitter hasn't spoken out about the incident yet, but we expect that they will soon.
What do you think about the incident? Comment below!
---
Follow on Ology: Stephanie Webber | CelebsOlogy
Follow on Twitter: @rosewebber | @CelebsOlogy...
As fans of The Real World: Hollywood know, Joey wasn't new to the drug scene. He entered rehab mid-season and later appeared on Celeb Rehab seeking help for cocaine and ecstasy.
Our hearts go out to his family and friends. MTV's Twitter hasn't spoken out about the incident yet, but we expect that they will soon.
What do you think about the incident? Comment below!
---
Follow on Ology: Stephanie Webber | CelebsOlogy
Follow on Twitter: @rosewebber | @CelebsOlogy...
- 8/17/2012
- by Stephanie Webber
- TVology
[ video unavailable on this device ]
Sad news from the world of reality TV today: Joey Kovar, who appeared on MTV’s Real World: Hollywood in 2008 and on VH1′s Celebrity Rehab in 2010, was found dead in a friend’s home in Chicago, TMZ reports. He was 29 years old. The site says family members believe drugs are to blame.
Kovar was a personal trainer who’d never left the state of Illinois before joining the cast of The Real World. He had experienced problems with drugs and alcohol prior to his reality-tv debut but believed he had beat his addiction. Unfortunately, he relapsed while shooting the show and left halfway through the season to enter rehab.
According to TMZ, a female friend called 911 this morning after finding Kovar with blood coming out of his nose and ears. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
In his one-on-one interview with Dr. Drew before finishing Celebrity Rehab, Kovar...
Sad news from the world of reality TV today: Joey Kovar, who appeared on MTV’s Real World: Hollywood in 2008 and on VH1′s Celebrity Rehab in 2010, was found dead in a friend’s home in Chicago, TMZ reports. He was 29 years old. The site says family members believe drugs are to blame.
Kovar was a personal trainer who’d never left the state of Illinois before joining the cast of The Real World. He had experienced problems with drugs and alcohol prior to his reality-tv debut but believed he had beat his addiction. Unfortunately, he relapsed while shooting the show and left halfway through the season to enter rehab.
According to TMZ, a female friend called 911 this morning after finding Kovar with blood coming out of his nose and ears. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
In his one-on-one interview with Dr. Drew before finishing Celebrity Rehab, Kovar...
- 8/17/2012
- by Sabrina Rojas Weiss
- TheFabLife - Movies
Joey Kovar, cast member of "The Real World: Hollywood," was found dead Friday morning. He was 29. Kovar was staying at a friend's house in the Chicago area, according to TMZ. A female friend who found his body noticed blood running out of Kovar's ears and nose, and called 911. He was pronounced dead at the scene by responders. Also read: Notable Celebrity Deaths of 2012 TMZ reports that Kovar's family suspect that drugs are to blame for his death, which wouldn't be surprising; his "Real World: Hollywood" stint was punctuated by a...
- 8/17/2012
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
'Real World: Hollywood' star Joey Kovar was found dead at a friend's home near Chicago on August 17 -- how sad. Former reality star, Joey Kovar, who starred in Real World: Hollywood and Celebrity Rehab was found dead on August 17 -- family members believe drugs were involved, a new report claims. "Joey was discovered by a female friend early this morning who noticed blood coming out of Joey's ears and nose. The woman called 911 and authorities rushed to the scene where he was pronounced dead," Joey's rep tells TMZ. Joey looked for help with cocaine and ecstasy addictions during his time on Celebrity Rehab. Joey also entered rehab halfway through his season on The Real World for alcohol and drugs, problems he admitted to struggling with for years. http://youtu.be/9qJFW6M_Vh0 Our thoughts are with Joey's family and friends at this time. [TMZ] -- Christopher Rogers More Tragic Celebrity...
- 8/17/2012
- by Christopher Rogers
- HollywoodLife
Joey Kovar -- the troubled "Real World" star who appeared on "Celebrity Rehab" -- was found dead at a friend's home near Chicago this morning ... and family members believe drugs are to blame ... TMZ has learned. Kovar was 29 years old. Kovar's rep tells TMZ ... Joey was discovered by a female friend early this morning who noticed blood coming out of Joey's ears and nose. The woman called 911 ... and authorities rushed to the scene where he was pronounced dead.
- 8/17/2012
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
The Real World Hollywood and Celebrity Rehab cast member Joey Kovar will get naked and show his penis in Playgirl for $20,000, apparently in part because he resembles Jersey Shore cast members. He'll be in the March issue. Meanwhile, Keeping Up with the Kardashians Rob Kardashian, the younger brother of Kourtney, Khloe, and Kim Kardashian, has been offered $45,000 by the magazine to pose naked--or $60,000 if he poses with an erection. Joey, who went...
- 1/24/2011
- by Andy Dehnart
- Reality Blurred
Joey Kovar -- the muscle head from "Real World: Hollywood" and this season of "Celebrity Rehab" -- has found a new way to keep off drugs: body slams, suplexes and sleeper holds.We spoke to Jimmy Blaze -- who runs a wrestling organization called Poww Entertainment -- and he tells TMZ Kovar has already begun his training regimen with the company ... and will start wrestling for Poww in a couple months.Blaze says the plan...
- 1/24/2010
- TMZ
Dr. Drew has his recovery hands full with a cast of characters. The VH1 series boasts a season three lineup that includes Mackenzie Phillips, who recently revealed she slept with her dad in a drug-hazed decade, ex madame to the stars (and UK Celebrity Big Brother contestant) Heidi Fleiss, Fleiss's abusive ex, actor and jailbird Tom Sizemore, perennial trainwreck Dennis Rodman, country crooner Mindy McCready Amtm Lisa D.Amato, rocker Mike Starr and Real World Hollywood's Joey Kovar. VH1 has once again partnered with Dr. Drew Pinsky for a third season of eight one-hour episodes, where the infamous try and give up the goofballs and booze. Similar to the first two cycles, the third season of .Celebrity Rehab with...
- 1/4/2010
- by April MacIntyre
- Monsters and Critics
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.