medically induced coma. During that period, Spinoza went head-to-head with his family regarding making decisions based on his condition.
Jeff Conaway at the Night of 100 Stars Oscar Party at the Beverly Hills Hotel on March 5, 2006 in Beverly Hills | Photo: Getty Images
SPINOZA VS CONAWAY’S FAMILY
His sister Carla Shreve mentioned Spinoza's visit in court papers filed on May 18, seeking a restraining order against her. Shreve alleged her brother had broken things off with the TV personality and was afraid for his life from her.
She wrote that he ended up in critical condition at a Los Angeles-area hospital just hours after Spinoza visited him at midnight, which resulted in someone calling the police. The law officials encouraged the family to secure the TRO to keep Spinoza away from him.
Jeff Conaway and Vikki Lizzi arrive at the 2009 Fox Reality Channel Really Awards at The Music Box at the Fonda Hollywood on October 13, 2009 in Los Angeles, California | Photo: Getty Images
The Superior Court granted the family the restraining order preventing Spinoza from going near him until a hearing in June later that year.
Conaway had a volatile on-and-off relationship with Spinoza for years. Her friend who served as her spokesperson said Spinoza was not to blame for Conaway falling unconscious, adding that she had taken care of him for seven years.
Jeff Conaway and Vikki Lizzi during 5th Annual TV Land Awards - Arrivals at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California | Photo: Getty Images
Spinoza and Conaway were not only lovers, but they also worked together before as she wrote and recorded her last album with him called “Saints and Sinners," known as Vikki & Kenickie on iTunes.
Spinoza's friend Fisher stated that the restraining order against her was horrible and wrong, saying her pal was beside him the day before the restraining order was granted, and the pair were in the process of reconciling.
From left Jeff Conaway as Kenickie and Kelly Ward as Putzie at the initial theatrical release of the film, "Grease," on June 16, 1978 | Photo: Getty Images
TAKEN OFF LIFE SUPPORT
In addition to the dispute, Conway's family made the ultimate difficult decision to take him off life support, and Spinoza also made her last efforts to see him before he passed.
E! News reported at the time that her lawyers were in court trying to get her to say her final goodbyes to her longtime love. Doctors told Conway's family there was no hope for his survival.
He appeared on the reality show "Celebrity Rehab," and Dr. Drew Pinsky, who treated him while on the show, said Conaway did not intentionally OD and that his condition worsened due to pneumonia and sepsis, a deadly blood infection.
HIS PASSING
Sadly, the star died on May 27, 2011, at the age of 60. Conaway became a household name by playing Kenickie in the 1978 musical film “Grease” and Bobby Wheeler in the sitcom “Taxi" between 1978 and 1981.
His manager Phil Brock shared that he was surrounded by his sisters, nieces, and nephews before he passed away. Reports revealed his weakened state involved the effects of long-term drug abuse, which hindered his chances of survival.
He documented his struggle with addiction in 2008 on "Celebrity Rehab." His co-star John Travolta had offered to pay for him to go back to rehab, but he never took him up on the offer.
Travolta, along with other Hollywood stars, sent their condolences: “My heartfelt thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this very difficult time,” he said in a statement.
Conaway was born on October 5, 1950, in New York City as Charles William Michael Conaway. He was previously married to Kerri Young and Rona Newton-John and had no kids.
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