Joey Kovar
Joey Kovar | |
|---|---|
 Kovar onCelebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew | |
| Born | July 24, 1983 Evergreen Park, Illinois,United States |
| Died | August 17, 2012(aged 29) Chicago Ridge, Illinois,United States |
| Occupation(s) | Model, reality star |
Joseph Eugene Kovar(July 24, 1983 – August 17, 2012) was an American model andreality televisionstar andbodybuilderwho first appeared in the twentieth season ofMTV'sThe Real World,The Real World: Hollywood,in 2008.[1][2]
In 2010, Kovar appeared as a patient on theVH1reality show,Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,for treatment of addictions toalcohol,cocaine,ecstasy,methamphetamines,andsteroids.[3][4]
Early life
[edit]Kovar was a native ofEvergreen Park, Illinois,where he continued to reside after appearing onThe Real World: Hollywoodand other shows. He battled addiction to alcohol and other drugs before appearing in television.[1]
Career
[edit]Kovar, a formerpersonal trainer,was discovered at age 24 by atalent scouton aChicagostreet.[1]In 2008, Kovar was cast in the twentieth season of the long-running MTV series,The Real World.[2]Kovar believed he was cast forThe Real World: Hollywooddue to his personality and openness about past partying and drug use.[1]In a 2009 interview with theChicago Tribune,Kovar elaborated, "We kind of have an 'I don't give a [bleep]' attitude. What you see is what you get...People want edgy. People want attitude. People want in-your-face, and that's what Chicagoans bring. The attitude we have is what's going to draw the ratings."[1]Kovar became increasingly addicted to alcohol and other drugs while filmingThe Real World.Due to erratic behavior and substance abuse, he was asked to leave the show to pursue treatment.[3]
Kovar next appeared in the third season ofCelebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,which premiered in November 2009. Other cast members for the season includedDennis Rodman,Mackenzie Phillips,andHeidi Fleiss.On the show, he was treated for addictions toalcohol,cocaine,ecstasy,methamphetamine,andsteroids.[3]In an on-camera discussion about his addiction to cocaine with Dr.Drew Pinsky,the show's host andaddiction medicinespecialist, at the end of the season Kovar stated, "I want this, but at the same time, I'm not going to make any false...promises...I'm not going to tell you. 'I'm going to be sober', 'cause I don't know."[2]
Death
[edit]Kovar died of an opiate intoxication on August 17, 2012, at the age of 29.[2]He was discovered with blood coming out of his nose and ears at an apartment building in the 9800 block of South Sayre Avenue inChicago Ridge,Illinois.[1][2]Kovar was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 9 a.m. An initialautopsyproved inconclusive.[1]Kovar's family stated there were no signs ofalcoholor otherdrugsfound in his system,[2][5]and believed he had been sober for approximately six months while he pursued acting,[1]but a later autopsy indicated that Kovar succumbed to "opiate intoxication".[6]
He became the third formerReal Worldcast member to die, 18 years following the death ofPedro ZamoraofReal World: San Franciscoand five years following the death ofFrankie AbernathyofReal World: San Diego.Kovar was one of three cast members from Season 3 ofCelebrity Rehab with Dr. Drewto die, includingMike StarrandMindy McCready,and is among seven cast members overall fromCelebrity Rehab with Dr. Drewwho have died, a list that further includesChynawho appears in season 1,Rodney Kingwho was featured in season 2,Jeff Conawaywho appeared in seasons 1 and 2, and Jason Davis who appeared in season 4.
References
[edit]- ^abcdefghSadovi, Carlos (2012-08-18)."Autopsy inconclusive, further tests required for reality star Joey Kovar".Chicago Tribune.
- ^abcdefD'Zurilla, Christie (August 17, 2012)."Joey Kovar of 'Real World', 'Celebrity Rehab' found dead at 29".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 11, 2020.RetrievedMay 23,2023.
- ^abc"Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew Season 3 Cast Bios".VH1.2010. Archived fromthe originalon December 23, 2009.
- ^Andy Dehnart (May 28, 2009)."Dennis Rodman, Heidi Fleiss, Mackenzie Phillips, Joey Kovar, Lisa D'Amato cast on Celebrity Rehab 3".Reality Blurred. Archived fromthe originalon June 5, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 18,2012.
- ^"Joey Kovar of 'Real World', 'Celebrity Rehab' found dead at 29".TMZ.August 18, 2012.
- ^Rogers, Christopher (November 12, 2012)."‘Real World’ Star Joey Kovar’s Cause Of Death Revealed".Hollywood Life.