The publicist for David Cassidy, the actor and singer who first came to the public’s attention in the ’70s as a cast member of TV’s The Partridge Family, has confirmed reports that the star has been hospitalized in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., for the past three days. JoAnn Geffen said that Cassidy, 67, is in critical condition with unspecified organ failure.
(TMZ reported that he is experiencing kidney failure and is also in need of a liver transplant. Some reports add that he is in an induced coma but that has not been confirmed.)
“He is conscious and surrounded by family and friends, nothing is imminent and we are taking it day by day,” Geffen said.
Cassidy revealed earlier this year, following a performance in California, that he was suffering from dementia, telling People magazine at the time, “I was in denial, but a part of me always knew this was coming.”
News reports today indicated that Cassidy has been undergoing other unspecified health problems in recent months. He has also dealt with alcoholism during his life and has been arrested for DUI incidents three times, and he filed for bankruptcy in 2015.
On Saturday (Nov. 18), Cassidy’s younger half-brother (and fellow actor-singer) Shaun Cassidy tweeted:
Thank you for all your love and good wishes for David. It means the world to all of us.
— Shaun Cassidy (@shaunpcassidy) November 18, 2017
And on Sunday (Nov. 19), David Cassidy’s The Partridge Family co-star, Danny Bonaduce, tweeted:
I’m a big believer in the power of prayers. Please keep my brother David Cassidy in yours. Thanks for all the love and support.
— Danny Bonaduce (@TheDoochMan) November 19, 2017
Cassidy achieved massive fame as a heartthrob while starring as Keith Partridge in the hit series The Partridge Family (loosely based on the story of real-life family pop group the Cowsills) from 1970 to 1974. Although he had some success on the charts under his own name, including a top 10 single in 1971 with “Cherish,” he was unable to maintain that level of success as he—and the fans (particularly young females)—grew older.
Related: What were the big radio hits of 1971?
Following the announcement of his dementia in February—which came after he gave an erratic performance that startled fans—Cassidy said that he would retire from show business. “I’ve spent months contemplating this decision to retire at the end of this year,” he said. “But I will still do a number of concerts this year in 2017! I believe I owe that to my fans and also to my second family, the members of my band. They’ve been there for many years with me. They’re all fantastic musicians and wonderful friends to me.”
He last performed in March at B.B. King’s Club & Grill in New York City.
[easy_sign_up title=”Sign up for the Best Classic Bands Newsletter”]
Watch a clip of the Partridge Family’s big hit “I Think I Love You”
