The “Celebrity Rehab” curse is real.
Nearly a dozen stars who appeared on “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” have passed away, most recently Crazy Town frontman Shifty Shellshock, 49.
This VH1 reality show premiered in 2008. Each season follows a different group of celebrities as they undergo addiction treatment from Dr. Drew Pinsky and his staff at the Pasadena, California Recovery Center.
The show ran for six seasons before being canceled in 2013 due to the deaths of several original cast members.
“It's been very stressful and stressful for me,” Pinsky, 65, said in an interview with Zach Sang at the time.
“Because people are getting sick and dying from a deadly disease, they're questioning my motives, attacking me and making me responsible,” he added. “I'm not interested in that anymore. I'm tired of being blamed. It's ridiculous.”
Five “Celebrity Rehab” cast members died before the show was canceled, and six more stars who appeared on the show have since died.
Here are all the stars who passed away after participating in 'Celebrity Rehab'.
Cunning Shellshock
Crazy Town frontman Shifty Shellshock passed away on June 24, 2024. He was 49 years old. The cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Shellshock's real name is Seth Binzer and he appeared on seasons 1 and 2 of “Celebrity Rehab.” When he first appeared on the show, he was addicted to cocaine. After relapsing, he returned for season 2. In season 2, he was addicted to meth.
The musician also appeared on both seasons of “Celebrity Rehab” successor “Sober House” in 2009 and 2010.
Tom Sizemore
“Saving Private Ryan” star Tom Sizemore appeared on “Celebrity Rehab” season three. He has been open about his struggles with cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine addiction and has run into legal trouble for drug possession and domestic violence.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the actor has been arrested multiple times, including twice in 2009 on charges of assaulting a former spouse and transporting or selling a controlled substance.
He also appeared on an episode of “Dr. Phil” in 2013, where he spoke about his substance abuse.
Sizemore died on March 3, 2023, at age 61, from a brain aneurysm caused by a stroke that occurred a month earlier.
After an unidentified person found Sizemore unconscious and called 911, he continued to fight for his life in the intensive care unit at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California. He remained in a coma until his death.
Tawny Kitaen
“Bachelor Party” actress Tawny Kitaen appeared on season two of “Celebrity Rehab” in 2008. She had an addiction to painkillers and cocaine.
She was arrested for drunk driving in 2009. She was reportedly sentenced to two days in jail and had to participate in an alcohol program and complete 64 hours of community service.
Kitaen was arrested again for drunk driving in 2019. She died before her case could be heard.
The “Malibu” star passed away on May 7, 2021, in Newport Beach, California, at age 59. According to TMZ, the cause of death was determined to be dilated cardiomyopathy. Other contributing factors include clogged arteries, antidepressants, sedatives, nerve pain medications and opioids.
Nikki McKibbin
Nikki McKibbin, a contestant on season three of “American Idol,” was a contestant on season two of “Celebrity Rehab.” She had problems with cocaine, alcohol, Adderall, painkillers, and ecstasy. She also appeared on “Sober House.”
The singer spoke openly about his struggle with drug addiction.
“I've been battling substance abuse and I'm winning, but it's still a struggle every day,” she told People magazine in August 2019. “For a long time, I wasn't taking care of myself. I wasn't being who I should have been. I'm in a better place now.”
McKibbin died on November 1, 2020, at the age of 42, due to a brain aneurysm.
Jason Davis
“Recess” star Jason Davis appeared on “Celebrity Rehab” season 4. He was addicted to heroin, OxyContin and Xanax.
The actor was a co-founder of Cure Addiction Now, which funds research for people struggling with substance abuse.
Davis died of the effects of fentanyl on February 16, 2020, at age 35. The Los Angeles County coroner ruled the cause of death accidental.
China
Actress and professional wrestler Chyna, whose real name is Joanie Lawler, appeared on Season 1 of Celebrity Rehab. She was an alcoholic.
Chyna was found dead in her bed by her manager on April 17, 2016. She was 46 years old.
A coroner's report confirmed that the WWE star died from a fatal combination of muscle relaxants, painkillers and alcohol.
According to Page Six, Chyna's mother told investigators that her daughter was “an alcoholic, drank cheap wine and was addicted to prescription drugs.”
Mindy McCready
Country singer Mindy McCready appeared on season three of Celebrity Rehab. She had an addiction to OxyContin and alcohol.
McCready had been hospitalized for a drug overdose prior to her appearance on the show, and she had attempted suicide multiple times due to personal conflicts, including slitting her wrists in December 2008.
McCready committed suicide on February 17, 2013, at the age of 37. She shot herself on the front porch of her Arkansas home.
“Celebrity Rehab” was canceled following McCready's death.
Joey Kovar
“Real World” star Joey Kobar appeared on “Celebrity Rehab” Season 3. He had problems with alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamines and steroids.
Koval left The Real World in 2008 to go to rehab, which led to her appearing on Celebrity Rehab in 2010.
He died of a drug overdose on August 17, 2012, at the age of 29.
Rodney King
Rodney King was a victim of police brutality that sparked the 1992 Los Angeles riots. He was an alcoholic and appeared on “Celebrity Rehab” season two.
Before his death, King was arrested several times, mostly for alcohol-related offenses.
King died on June 17, 2012, at the age of 47. He accidentally drowned in his swimming pool at home and had alcohol, cocaine and PCP in his system.
Jeff Conaway
Jeff Conaway, the actor from “Grease” and “Taxi,” appeared on the first two seasons of “Celebrity Rehab.” He had problems with alcohol, cocaine and painkillers.
He died on May 27, 2011, at age 60, more than two weeks after being in a coma following a drug overdose. His family decided to remove him from life support.
An autopsy revealed that Conaway's cause of death was a drug overdose, including aspiration pneumonia and encephalopathy.
Mike Starr
Alice in Chains musician Mike Starr appeared on season three of Celebrity Rehab. He had problems with heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.
The star died on March 8, 2011, at the age of 44 from a prescription drug overdose. Police discovered his body in his Salt Lake City home. He had been arrested on drug possession charges in Utah less than a month before his death.
