Comedian Andy Dick has shared the chilling details of his near-fatal drug overdose, including the startling first words he uttered upon being revived by emergency responders. The 60-year-old star, appearing on Jamie Kennedy's Hate To Break It To Ya podcast, recounted the harrowing incident that saw his heart stop and breathing cease before intervention.
A Brush with Death
When Kennedy questioned whether Dick had technically died during the overdose, the comedian responded without hesitation. 'That's what they say,' Dick confirmed. 'They say my heart stopped. And I stopped breathing. And they had to use that stuff, Narcan.' The admission highlights the severity of the situation that unfolded on a Hollywood street corner.
Moments later, Dick stunned listeners by revealing what he said when he regained consciousness. 'When I sat up,' he recalled, 'I said, 'Where's the vodka?'' This shocking statement underscores the comedian's ongoing struggles with substance abuse even in moments of medical crisis.
Recent Rehabilitation Efforts
The revelation comes just one week after Dick officially checked out of rehab, having spent six weeks at the Harlow Gardens residential treatment center in Palm Springs. His admission to the facility followed a public health scare in December that reignited concerns about his long-running battle with addiction.
Disturbing photos surfaced showing the actor slumped over and unresponsive on a Hollywood street corner, prompting friends to rush to his side and call emergency services. Despite initially resisting treatment, telling TMZ just two days prior that he had no plans for rehab, Dick eventually entered the facility.
Friends' Lifesaving Intervention
Dick has credited longtime friends Jenny Gimenez and her husband Tim with saving his life during the most recent crisis. 'Jenny Gimenez is my sister who saved me with Tim,' Dick previously told TMZ, noting that both are sober. The trio have been close friends for more than two decades.
Jenny and Tim shared that Dick received a 'full ride scholarship offer' thanks to their connections with the treatment center, meaning he won't have to pay for his stay himself. The comedian is now reportedly staying at a sober living facility near Beverly Hills.
Contradictory Statements and Ongoing Issues
In a video following the overdose incident, Dick initially acted confused about the disturbing photos but soon claimed to have smoked crack cocaine with a man he found on the street. Slurring his words heavily, he defended his drug use by admitting, 'I don't mind doing a little crack every now and then.'
Notably, Narcan - the medication administered to Dick - wouldn't reverse the effects of crack use as cocaine is not an opiate. However, fentanyl, an extremely powerful opiate drug, is sometimes mixed with other substances, raising questions about what exactly Dick had consumed.
Long History of Legal and Personal Troubles
Dick's recent overdose scare adds to his long, well-documented history of drug and alcohol abuse and legal crises:
- In 2022, he was ordered to register as a sex offender stemming from a 2018 conviction
- Multiple arrests for domestic violence incidents involving partners
- A 2019 conviction for sexual battery resulting in a 14-day jail sentence
- Numerous other arrests and allegations spanning decades
The comedian, best known for starring in the NBC sitcom NewsRadio and appearing in Ben Stiller's hit comedy Zoolander, has been to rehab over 20 times and arrested 10 times throughout his troubled career.
Family Relationships and Current Status
Dick's personal life has been equally tumultuous. His estranged wife, Lena Sved, received a domestic violence restraining order against him in 2018, requiring him to move out of their home and remain 100 yards away from her and their adult children.
Despite these challenges, Dick's attorney recently stated that his client was 'doing great' and that they were 'investigating' the overdose incident. The Los Angeles Police Department and Fire Department confirmed responding to the scene but noted Dick was not transported to hospital and was instead taken home by a friend.
As the grandfather-of-two continues his recovery journey, his candid revelations about the overdose and subsequent rehabilitation highlight the ongoing nature of addiction struggles even for public figures with extensive treatment histories.
