David Cassidy Reportedly in a Coma
David Cassidy, who rose to fame in the early '70s as a member of the TV group the Partridge Family, is said to be in a Florida hospital after having suffered organ failure. The report says that he was placed in a medically induced coma.
The news comes via TMZ, who say that the 67-year-old Cassidy was brought to the hospital three days ago, and his condition has been deteriorating. They're saying he could die if he doesn't receive a liver transplant immediately, and that he has kidney failure, as well. Cassidy's family has been arriving at the hospital to be at his side.
Back in March, Cassidy told a crowd that he stopped touring because of health issues. He had been diagnosed with dementia and had difficulty playing guitar due to arthritis.
The son of actors Jack Cassidy and Evelyn Ward, David Cassidy followed he parents into show business, where his good looks helped make him the breakout star of The Partridge Family, a show loosely based on the family band the Cowsills. Starring alongside his step-mother Shirley Jones, Cassidy played Keith Partridge, the eldest of five children and the lead singer of hits like "I Think I Love You" and "I Woke Up in Love This Morning." Cassidy became one of the biggest teen idols of the day, along with Bobby Sherman, the Bay City Rollers, the Osmond Brothers and, later, his half-brother Shaun.
The show ran from 1970-74, and, after its cancellation, Cassidy maintained a high profile for decades through musical theater, Las Vegas shows and concert tours.