After struggling with dementia and cascading organ failure, David Cassidy has died, as confirmed by his publicist. He was just 67 years old.
The Los Angeles Time reports:
The singer and actor died in Fort Lauderdale after being hospitalized in Florida for multiple organ failure, including his liver and kidneys. His death was confirmed by Jo-Ann Geffen. The singer had also suffered from dementia in recent months, and had announced he would stop performing as the disease worsened.
“I will always be eternally grateful for the love and support you’ve shown me,” he said in a statement earlier this year. “I still love very much to play and perform live. But it’s much more difficult for me now. I’m not going to vanish or disappear forever.”Cassidy had booked small acting gigs before he first shot to fame playing singer Keith Partridge on ABC’s “The Partridge Family,” a gentle sitcom take on the family-band genre. The series, which also starred Cassidy’s real-life stepmother, Shirley Jones, debuted in 1970 and ran for four seasons.
Frustrated by his “Partridge Family” persona, Cassidy sought to shed his character’s clean-cut reputation and embrace the culture and politics of the far-left hippie movement, which led to his notorious drinking, drug abuse, and eventually, addiction.
But despite is vices, Cassidy went on to conquer Broadway, with his blockbuster performances in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Blood Brothers.” Afterward, he moved to Las Vegas to star in the largest show at the time, “EFX.”
David Cassidy is survived by his son, Beau, a musician; his daughter, Katie, an actress; his stepmother, Shirley Jones; and three half brothers: Shaun (also a teen heartthrob with his role on TV’s ‘The Hardy Boys’ in the late 1970s), Patrick and Ryan.
Reaction to the star’s unexpected death was widespread and heartfelt.
https://twitter.com/SportsPlusShow/status/933165066714734592
So sorry to hear about David Cassidy's passing. Godspeed. pic.twitter.com/JpKs2VNvZw
— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) November 22, 2017
Heartbroken over the passing of #DavidCassidy. He graced the covers of teen magazines w/ my Brothers in the ‘70s. My condolences to his Family. 🙏💋 #RIP #PartridgeFamily #DavidsHitSong #70sIcon #IWokeUpInLoveThisMorning pic.twitter.com/EUJXr8YBwb
— Marie Osmond (@marieosmond) November 22, 2017
I grew up in an era before even cable TV, when The Partridge Family was already in reruns. David Cassidy's Keith was one of my favorite TV characters. He was legit funny AND he could sing. The man entertained me during my childhood and even years later: https://t.co/678DU7qTxh
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) November 22, 2017
Very hard to #GetHappy right now… My condolences to his family, loved ones & the millions who idolized him around the world. #RIPDavidCassidy pic.twitter.com/wQW9wuBf8B
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) November 22, 2017
Sad to learn David Cassidy has died. Like his father Jack he had great talent, and a complicated life. Condolences to his wonderful family.
— Larry King (@kingsthings) November 22, 2017
With the untimely death of #DavidCassidy it would be timely for the @rockhall to reconsider its exclusion of him. You can’t sell as many singles, albums, concert tickets, magazines, posters, T-shirts, and other rockabilia as #DavidCassidy did and not be in the @rockhall.
— James Rosen (@JamesRosenTV) November 22, 2017
