Comedian Scott “Carrot Top” Thompson is speaking out after his hospitalization for an alleged suicide attempt.
“I’m truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support, prayers, and well wishes I’ve received over the past couple of weeks,” Thompson, 61, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, October 17, publicly commenting on his health issue for the first time.
“Every message, text, and kind thought has meant more to me than you know,” the comedian continued in the post. “While I haven’t been able to respond to everyone individually, please know that I’ve felt your love and appreciate each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for being there for me during this time. It truly means the world to me.”
Thompson ended his post — which was accompanied by a picture featuring the comedian performing on stage — by highlighting his upcoming Las Vegas show at the famed Luxor Hotel & Casino on Monday, October 19.
Thompson was hospitalized in Las Vegas after the incident, which has been widely reported as a suicide attempt. As a result, several of his comedy shows were subsequently canceled. (Carrot Top has headlined a residency at Las Vegas’ Luxor Casino since 2005.)
“Mr. Thompson is recovering in the hospital and is receiving the care and support he needs,” Thompson’s rep Jami Schlicher said in a statement shortly after the incident. “His family and those closest to him are deeply grateful for the concern, prayers and respectfully ask for privacy.”
Two days after his hospitalization, Schlicher gave an update on Thompson’s condition.
“Scott remains hospitalized and under close medical care,” Schlicher told Entertainment Weekly in a September 20 statement. “He is now awake, breathing on his own and continuing to improve, surrounded by his family and those closest to him.”
The statement continued at the time, “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. 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.”
A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department report, obtained by Us on September 25, detailed what allegedly occurred when police responded to a medical dispatch call about an alleged suicidal male at Thompson’s Las Vegas home on September 18 at 4:21pm.
According to the report, Daniel O’Leary — who described himself as Thompson’s tour manager — was at the scene and stated that a news article broke at approximately 3:20pm covering a lawsuit that was filed against Thompson, accusing him of sexual misconduct.
O’Leary described Thompson’s behavior as upset, claiming the comedian made comments expressing his concern that his shows were going to be canceled in the wake of the allegations.
Thompson told him that he hoped a female third party (who was redacted in the report) and her daughter “would be okay” without him. Thompson subsequently hung up before texting O’Leary one word — “done.”
Per the report, O’Leary was not able to reach Thompson after this text message.
O’Leary then called the female and informed her about the article and their conversation and asked her to go check on Thompson. She “arrived at the residence and observed the doors open to the home.” After looking for Thompson, the woman eventually located Thompson “in the backyard, next to the pool, unconscious.”
According to her statement, the woman then “ immediately called for help.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
