David Cassidys Final Days - Gross Violation of Doctors Orders & Possibility of Disrupting Docu

Posted by Arica Deslauriers on Tuesday, May 21, 2024

David Cassidy left this world in 2017, at the age of 67 in a death that could have been prevented by adhering to doctors’ orders.

David Cassidy became a household name in the 70s following his role as Keith Partridge in the musical sitcom “The Partridge Family.” The role easily made him a celebrated teen idol, revered by many. He spent the next five decades of his life in showbiz.

Sadly, during those decades, the legendary actor descended to the lowest point of his life, which eventually resulted in his death at 67. Cassidy’s sad story makes one wonder how this legendary actor spent his final days.

Pictures of actor and singer, David Cassidy | Photo: Getty Images

YEARS OF TRAGEDY

Cassidy was born in 1950, to renowned singer Jack Cassidy and actress Evelyn Cassidy. He quickly embraced his parents’ careers, rising to stardom in his teens.

Sadly, his years of glory were short-lived, as the icon’s later years were plagued with addiction and bankruptcy. The icon opened up about his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse in 2008.

Singer David Cassidy attends Hollywood Today Live at W Hollywood on December 14, 2016 | Photo: Getty Images

His addictions earned him several run-ins with the law, including a handful of arrests for DUI-related offenses, eventually enduring a stint in rehab in 2014. A year later, Cassidy filed for bankruptcy.

In 2017, the legend publicly announced he was suffering from dementia, a condition that ran in his family. Details of David Cassidy’s final days were recorded in the 2017 documentary, “David Cassidy: The Last Session.”

It featured records of his phone conversations with producer Saralena Weinfield, a recorded tribute album to his late father, his unforeseen sickness, and hospitalization.

Actor David Cassidy arrives at Disney-ABC Television Group Summer Press Tour Party at The Langham Hotel on August 8, 2009 in Pasadena, California | Photo: Getty Images

VIOLATING DOCTOR’S ORDERS

The climax of the documentary involved the actor admitting he was still drinking, and that his dementia resulted from his chronic alcoholism. Embracing the bottles despite his sickness and hospitalization was a violation of the doctor’s orders.

Cassidy died shortly after that admission, leaving behind his two children, Katie Wilson, his daughter from ex-partner Sherry Williams, and son, Beau, from his third wife Sue Shifrin.

Musician David Cassidy performs at BB King on January 10, 2015 | Photo: Getty Images

WHY THE DOCUMENTARY WAS NOT SCRAPPED

Cassidy’s untimely passing during the filming of his documentary brought up the debate of whether or not the series would be scrapped.

The supervising producer Weinfield admitted the producers debated on the possibility for a while. Eventually, they decided against disrupting the docuseries, opting instead to make it into a three-dimensional portrait of him.

Weinfield believed the documentary was a way of honoring the lost legend by showing him in a complex light, which was exactly how he wanted to be known. “The Last Session,” was much more than the circumstances surrounding Cassidy’s final passing, as the producer pointed out.

Shirley Jones and David Cassidy during The TV Land Awards at Hollywood Palladium in CA, United States on March 02, 2003 | Photo: Getty Images

CASSIDY ONCE FALTERED ON STAGE

In February 2017, the former teen throb forgot his lyrics while performing on stage during a concert in California. The falter was followed by an unexpected fall that left people rushing to his rescue.

A day later, Cassidy issued a public announcement, admitting he was suffering from dementia, the same disease that afflicted his mom. The songwriter also revealed that he always knew the diagnosis was inevitable given his family history but chose to live in denial.

His falter on stage came as his wake-up call, forcing the star to quit touring and focus on his health. About eight months later, the icon died from organ failure, at the age of sixty-seven.

David Cassidy performs at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center in Queens on November 21, 2009 in New York City | Photo: Getty Images

CASSIDY’S TOP MOVIES AND SHOWS

Some of his most notable include "David Cassidy: Man Undercover, " "The Rat Pack Is Back!" "EFX, " "Ruby and the Roxkits, " "At The Copa, " "Blood Brothers, " and "Popstar" among others.

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