Carrot Top 'awake' and 'breathing on his own'
Troubled comedian Carrot Top is "awake" and "breathing on his own" after he was rushed to hospital following a reported suicide attempt.
Carrot Top is "awake" and "breathing on his own" after he was rushed to hospital following a reported suicide attempt.
The 61-year-old comedian - real name Scott Thompson - was taken to hospital following an incident in the Las Vegas area on Friday (18.09.26) and now his representative has given an update revealing the funnyman is making good progress but continues to be monitored closely by doctors.
His spokesperson Jami Schlicher told New York Post column Page Six: "Scott remains hospitalized and under close medical care. He is now awake, breathing on his own and continuing to improve, surrounded by his family and those closest to him.
"Humor has always been such an important part of who Scott is and how he connects with people, and that remains true today as he shares moments of humor with the medical staff caring for him."
She went on to add: "“Many messages from fans have been shared with Scott, including stories from people about how his comedy helped them through difficult periods in their own lives.
"Hearing those stories and feeling that support has meant a great deal to him during his recovery. Scott and his family remain deeply grateful for the extraordinary kindness and continue to ask that his privacy be respected."
No more details about the incident which led to the hospitalisation have been revealed. Carrot Top's scheduled performances at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Friday and Saturday were subsequently cancelled.
The update comes after it was revealed Carrot Top was allegedly being extorted over a sex tape before his apparent suicide attempt.
Earlier this month, his attorney filed legal documents alleging musician Brian Evans - a previous opening performer at the comic's long-running show in Las Vegas - had threatened to leak an x-rated video if he wasn't paid.
In documents obtained by Page Six, lawyer Ronnie Bitman wrote: “Evans demands immediate payment of significant sums and states that, absent immediate payment, a sexually explicit recording of Thompson will be filed in the public court file so that it may be obtained and disseminated by the press and other parties."
The court filing was accompanied by an email from Brian to the lawyer, in which he asked for $500,000 “in immediately available funds, in exchange for resolution of all claims against" Carrot Top or else he would release the video.
He wrote: “It is not a threat. I am not offering to create coverage, stop coverage, or trade silence for money. I cannot control what outlets write after a public motion is filed. The only thing that stops coverage is if we both stop filing anything.
"I am telling you … that I would rather resolve the claims against your client than continue this motion practice."
The email closed with the warning that if he didn't receive the payment, “it is not an offer your client will ever see again — not even remotely close."
Brian insisted the email was "intended to be confidential" and stressed he “never threatened — ever — to post any video anywhere in exchange for a settlement."
He also claimed the footage had been "deleted a long time ago" in accordance with a previous settlement.
He added: “I am sorry that Scott apparently did something to hurt himself. He’s a great talent but these are issues he needs to deal with and move past."
