Kevin Smith, the director of such classic comedies as CLERKS, MALLRATS, DOGMA and more is currently in the hospital after suffering what he describes as a “massive heart attack.” The actor/writer/director/comic book guru tweeted the news from his hospital bed, saying he was rushed there after the first show of his comedy special, KEVIN SMITH LIVE! He further elaborated on the severity of the heart attack saying that had he not gone to the hospital when he did he would not be here with us today. Thanks to the doctors, Smith has assured fans he is still “above ground.”
Here is his tweet:
Smith was performing the first show of LIVE! at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California, and had a second scheduled, but canceled it to go to the hospital. This is the first time Smith has recorded a live TV special in years, releasing several EVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH Q&A’s, KEVIN SMITH: BURN IN HELL and more in the past, and having done a few specials with pal Jason Mewes a couple years ago. As well, Smith develops, executive produces and is featured in the show COMIC BOOK MEN on AMC, which has been going for seven seasons. He directed another episode of CW’s THE FLASH recently and has been preparing to film JAY AND SILENT BOB REBOOT with Mewes.
Several celebrities have taken to social media to voice their good wishes, including Guardian of the Galaxy Chris Pratt, Patricia Arquette (BOYHOOD) and Michael McKean (THIS IS SPINAL TAP, BETTER CALL SAUL):
I think it’s safe to say we are all taking a big sigh of relief in knowing Smith is on the mend. Many of us have been watching his work for years and has been an inspiration to many to try and get their own film careers off the ground. The man has some fight in him, and I am immensely looking forward to seeing more of his work and long-winded tales!