Actor David Cassidy arrives at Disney-ABC Television Group Summer Press Tour Party at The Langham Hotel on August 8, 2009 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Patridge Family icon David Cassidy is in the hospital in critical condition with organ failure, and his family is rushing to be at his side, TMZ is reporting. As Cassidy’s health deteriorated, he was surrounded by his family in the hospital. “He was in an induced coma but he is currently conscious and surrounded by family,” his rep told UK Express.
Although reports circulated that Cassidy was dead, his publicist told the New York Times on November 19 that he had not died, although the situation was grim.
TMZ reported on November 18 that David Cassidy was in critical condition in an induced coma with organ failure, a situation that was described as “grim.” He was reported to be near death unless he gets a liver transplant. On November 19, TMZ reported that Cassidy had taken turn for the worse and a liver transplant was now considered “futile.” According to TMZ, “We’re told doctors have summoned David’s immediate family — his son and ex-wife — back to the hospital for what could be their final visit.”
According to TMZ, David Cassidy’s family was at his side. “We’re told David was rushed to a Florida hospital 3 days ago … and his condition has been worsening since his admission. We’re told he’s suffering from organ failure and unless he gets a liver transplant soon he could soon die. We’re also told he’s suffering from kidney failure,” the entertainment site reported.
David Cassidy’s health has been troubled for some time. In early 2017, Cassidy revealed that he had been diagnosed with dementia. “David Cassidy’s tragic family history of dementia has always haunted him; and now it’s here. The former star of TV’s The Partridge Family said Monday he is battling the memory-destroying brain disorder,” USA Today reported at that time.
According to USA Today, “the former teen idol of the 1970s said he decided to stop touring as a musician to concentrate on his health and happiness.” The newspaper quoted him as saying, “I want to focus on what I am, who I am and how I’ve been without any distractions,” he says. “I want to love. I want to enjoy life.”
25th May 1974: Hordes of screaming girls are separated from their idol David Cassidy by a pane of glass at the Thames television studio in London. (Getty Images)
David Cassidy is best known for his role as Keith on the famous 1970s-era television show. He told People Magazine that both his mother and grandmother struggled with dementia. He told People Magazine of his mother, “In the end, the only way I knew she recognized me is with one single tear that would drop from her eye every time I walked into the room. … I feared I would end up that way.”
Cassidy’s website chronicles his meteoric rise as a teen idol in the 1970s. “Hailing from a family of actors, mother Evelyn Ward and father Jack Cassidy, his fate as a performer was essentially seeded at a young age. It was by coincidence that he wound up starring with stepmother Shirley Jones in ‘The Partridge Family,'” the website says. “When ABC cast David Cassidy as its juvenile star in what became an astonishingly successful series, one of the most spectacular careers in the entertainment industry was launched. Before the end of 1970, the year that ‘The Partridge Family’ premiered, David had the #1 selling single of the year and record of the year, and garnered multiple Grammy nominations and won a Golden Apple Award. Over the next five years, membership in his official fan club exceeded that of Elvis Presley and the Beatles.”
American pop singer and teenage heartthrob David Cassidy in concert. (Getty)
The website notes of his later years: “In addition to performing, producing, writing and recording, David has become an active spokesperson and advocate for various Alzheimer’s organizations since his mother suffered and ultimately died from severe dementia. He will be traveling the country speaking on the subject when not touring and performing in concert. David’s other passion, and avocation, lies with the thoroughbred horses that he breeds and races.”
Cassidy, who was married several times, has two children, including Katie Cassidy, an actress. Katie followed her father in the acting business, finding roles in Supernatural and Arrow. The 30-year-old actress plays Laurel Lance/Black Canary in the Arrowverse shows, making appearances on The Flash and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. His other child is a son named Beau.