Remembering the Stars Who Have Died Since Appearing on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew

Shifty Shellshock

The Crazy Town frontman, who appeared on Celebrity Rehab for its first two seasons, died on June 24, 2024, at the age of 49. (The cause of death was not revealed at the time.)

Throughout Binzer’s career, he dealt with substance abuse problems. In 2012, he was hospitalized after losing consciousness and fell into a coma, from which he recovered, according to Variety. He was also arrested in 2022 on DUI charges and got into a physical altercation with Crazy Town guitarist Bobby Reeves after a show in 2023.

After season 1 of Celebrity Rehab, during which he was treated for cocaine and painkillers, the singer told PEOPLE that he “didn’t do [the show] to get on TV.” 

“I was facing death if I kept at it,” he said at the time. “I want to stay sober.”

Tom Sizemore

Tom Sizemore died on March 3, 2023, at age 61, after being hospitalized for a brain aneurysm. The Golden Globe-nominated actor appeared on Celebrity Rehab season 3 for an ongoing drug addiction. He continued to struggle with substance abuse for the rest of his life and was arrested as recently as 2019 for possession of drugs, per The Hollywood Reporter.

His brother Paul Sizemore said in a statement after Tom’s death, “He was larger than life. He has influenced my life more than anyone I know. He was talented, loving, giving and could keep you entertained endlessly with his wit and storytelling ability. I am devastated he is gone and will miss him always."

Frankie Lons

Francine “Frankie” Lons, Keyshia Cole’s biological mother, died of an accidental overdose on July 18, 2021, the day of her 61st birthday. The Frankie & Neffe star had struggled with drug addiction for years and appeared on Celebrity Rehab season 4 to treat it.

Cole’s sister Elite Noel verified their mother’s death with a post on her Instagram Stories, writing, “Worse [sic] pain ever.... to see my mama in a body bag on her birthday! My heart so f---ing broke.”

In Cole’s Lifetime biopic, Keyshia Cole: This Is My Story, the singer-songwriter, 42, depicted the ups and downs of her relationship with Lons. She told PEOPLE in 2023 that the movie allowed her to “make peace” with her mother’s death.

In one scene, Frankie — played by actress Debbi Morgan — tells Cole, “There are two Frankies: The Frankie I want to be and the Frankie I’ve always been.”

“We had those conversations all the time," the “Love” singer shared. "I tried my best not to judge her. She’d say, ‘You always did right by me, never made me feel unloved because of my addiction.’ ”

Tawny Kitaen

Actress and ‘80s music video icon Tawny Kitaen died in her Newport Beach, California, home on May 7, 2021, at the age of 59. According to the Orange County Coroner’s Office, the Celebrity Rehab season 2 alum died of dilated cardiomyopathy, a common type of heart disease.

Her daughters Wynter and Raine confirmed her death, writing that they were “heartbroken and saddened” by the loss of their mother. 

"We just want to say thank you for all of you, her fans and her friends, for always showing her such support and love," they wrote in a statement shared on Kitaen’s social media. "You gave her life every day. We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live on forever."

Nikki McKibbin

American Idol season 1 finalist Nikki McKibbin died on Nov. 1, 2020, following a brain aneurysm. The singer, who appeared on Celebrity Rehab season 2, was 42 years old. According to her husband Craig, McKibbin was kept on life support for a few days to prepare her organs for donation.

“That shouldn't be a surprise to us. Even at the end she is still giving,” he wrote in a tribute to his wife on social media.

Jason Davis

Voice actor Jason Davis, best known for his role on the Disney animated series Recess, died at age 35 from the effects of fentanyl on Feb. 16, 2020. He appeared on the fourth season of Celebrity Rehab when he was 25 to treat an opiate and Xanax addiction.

Davis’ mother Nancy issued a statement to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter after news broke of her son’s death: “Jason had a true heart of gold with such a zest for life,” she shared. “He was such a caring soul to everybody who ever knew him. He loved his friends and his family above all else.”

Chyna

Chyna, whose was born Joanie Laurier, died on April 17, 2016, at age 46. The former WWE star was on Celebrity Rehab’s first season to treat an alcohol addiction. Following her stint on Celebrity Rehab, she told PEOPLE that the show helped mitigate her alcohol consumption.

“I’m leading the life I should have led years ago,” the professional wrestler said.

Around the time of Chyna’s death, she had been taking sleep medication and anti-anxiety pills due to feeling “emotionally strained” ahead of a new documentary, according to her former manager Anthony Anzaldo.

An autopsy by the Los Angeles Coroner’s Office stated that Chyna had several substances in her system when she died, including ethanol, oxycodone, oxymorphone, nordiazepam, temazepam, zolpidem and marijuana. Anzaldo insisted that her overdose was accidental.

Mindy McCready

Country singer Mindy McCready died on Feb. 17, 2013, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Celebrity Rehab season 3 alum, who addressed her addiction to painkillers and alcohol while on the show, was 37 when she died by suicide on her front porch, a month after her boyfriend David Wilson took his own life in the same place.

Joey Kovar

The Real World: Hollywood star Joey Kovar, who appeared on Celebrity Rehab season 3, was 29 years old when he was found dead at a friend’s home in the Chicago area on Aug. 7, 2012. The Cook County Medical Examiner told TMZ his official cause of death was “opiate intoxication.”

“Joe’s final days were peaceful,” his brother David Kovar told PEOPLE after Joey’s death. “He had become such a happy person. I had not once worried that he was using again. I’m still very unsure of what exactly happened. I try not to think about it because I feel like it will eat me alive if I do.”

Rodney King

Rodney King, who became a civil rights figure after LAPD officers were videotaped brutalizing him in 1991, died on June 17, 2012, at age 47. His partner Cynthia Kelley found him at the bottom of his swimming pool. In an autopsy, the San Bernadino coroner ruled the drowning accidental, but traces of alcohol, marijuana, PCP and cocaine in his system contributed to the incident.

King had appeared on Celebrity Rehab in 2008, and talked about how the LAPD's beating and notoriety that stemmed from it contributed to his lifelong drinking problem.

Jeff Conaway

Grease star Jeff Conaway, who was on Celebrity Rehab only three years before his death, was taken off life support at his family’s request on May 27, 2011. He was 60 years old. The actor publicly struggled with addiction to alcohol, cocaine and painkillers throughout his career, and prior to his death, he was in a medically induced coma after being found unconscious and in critical condition. 

“We loved Jeff as a person. We respect him. We know his personal struggles are all over,” his manager Phil Brock told PEOPLE at the time. “He was a kind, gentle soul who loved to perform, from small theater to Broadway.”

Mike Starr

The Alice in Chains bassist died on March 8, 2011, at age 44 of a prescription drug overdose — less than two years after he appeared on Celebrity Rehab season 3. A public memorial was held in Seattle on March 20 for Starr, attended by friends, family and fans of Alice in Chains.