Troubled actress Lisa Robin Kelly, best known for playing Laurie Forman on "That '70s Show," died last night at the age of 43.
The star had recently checked herself into rehab after struggling with alcoholism for years.
"Unfortunately Lisa Robin Kelly passed away last evening," Kelly's agent, Craig Wyckoff, said in a statement. "Lisa had voluntarily checked herself into a treatment facility early this week where she was battling the addiction problems that have plagued her these past few years.
"I spoke to her on Monday and she was hopeful and confident, looking forward to putting this part of her life behind her. Last night she lost the battle. Cause of death has not been issued yet and no death certificate has been issued either."
Sources told TMZ that Kelly's new boyfriend took her to rehab earlier this week, but it was too late — the actress suffered a fatal cardiac arrested Wednesday night.
Kelly was a veteran actress who got her start in 1992 on "Married … With Children." Her credits included "Murphy Brown," "Charmed," and "Silk Stockings."
On "That '70s Show," the veteran actress played the promiscuous elder sister of Topher Grace's Eric Forman for five years. Her character was written out, though Kelly returned for a few episodes in Season 5. Then, she was replaced by Christina Moore in Season 6.
She told ABC News that her drinking problems stemmed from a miscarriage. ""I had lost a baby," she said. "As a result of that I lost it. I lost everything and I was abusing alcohol."
Alcoholism plagued Kelly for years after that. In 2010, she was charged with a DUI and served probation. Last year, she was arrested for domestic violence against ex-boyfriend John Michas, though she denied the charges and they were eventually dropped.
Last November, both Kelly and her now-estranged husband Robert Gilliam were arrested for assault after a domestic disturbance. Gilliam was convicted of domestic battery and sentenced to three years of probation. And just a few months ago, in June, Kelly was arrested for another DUI.
The role that probably won her the gig as Laurie on That 70's Show.
I wonder if she had lived in regular town and worked at a department store if she would have ended this way.
There is no way to know that, but we do know that people die early from alcoholism in all lines of work, all over the world. It doesn't equate to her working in show business. The article states that she started drinking heavily following a miscarriage, which doesn't seem to relate at all to her career.
I wonder if she had lived in regular town and worked at a department store if she would have ended this way.
There is no way to know that, but we do know that people die early from alcoholism in all lines of work, all over the world. It doesn't equate to her working in show business. The article states that she started drinking heavily following a miscarriage, which doesn't seem to relate at all to her career.
This. When "famous" ppl die they always want to attach it to their profession. People are people, and regardless of their job or status in life they have frailties. (I've seen lawyers at a convention snort cocaine in the hotel parking lot.)
so this is what fame does to ordinary people when they become famous? Self destructive behaviour is what plagues most celebrities today. So therefore no need to feel sad when they go?
Michael Jackson Whitney Houston Corey Monteith Heath ledger
so this is what fame does to ordinary people when they become famous? Self destructive behaviour is what plagues most celebrities today. So therefore no need to feel sad when they go?
Michael Jackson Whitney Houston Corey Monteith Heath ledger
The list goes on..
According to a quick internet search, (so take with a grain of salt) there were 37,485 drugs deaths in the US in (edit->) 2009. They were hardly all celebrities.
Who was the last guy to overdose who acted on a current tv show... I forgot his name already... Edit: 'Glee' star Cory Monteith. That was almost a month ago. I doubt most celebrities suffer from self destructive behavior, with the exception of comedians.
