Filmmaker and comedian Kevin Smith suffered a massive heart attack on Sunday between shows at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California.
Smith, 47, was recording a stand-up special called Kevin Smith Live! and had two shows scheduled in the same day. After the 6 p.m. show, Smith felt ill and went to the hospital, canceling his 9 p.m. set. He later tweeted that if he hadn’t canceled, he would probably have died from a heart attack – specifically, the deadly “widow-maker.”
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“After the first show this evening, I had a massive heart attack. The Doctor who saved my life told me I had 100% blockage of my LAD artery (aka ‘the Widow-Maker’). If I hadn’t canceled show 2 to go to the hospital, I would’ve died tonight,” he wrote. “But for now, I’m still above ground!”
Smith gave more details about his situation on Facebook. “I was trying to do a killer standup special this evening but I might’ve gone too far,” he wrote. “After the first show, I felt kinda nauseous. I threw up a little but it didn’t seem to help. Then I started sweating buckets and my chest felt heavy. Turns out I had a massive heart attack.”
Aside from the nitty-gritty of his health, Smith, who has an 18-year-old daughter, wrote about his outlook on life. “This is what I learned about myself during this crisis: death was always the thing I was most terrified of in life. When the time came, I never imagined I’d ever be able to die with dignity – I assumed I’d die screaming, like my Dad (who lost his life to a massive heart attack),” he explained. “But even as they cut into my groin to slip a stent into the lethal Widow-Maker, I was filled with a sense of calm. I’ve had a great life: loved by parents who raised me to become the individual I am. I’ve had a weird, wonderful career in all sorts of media, amazing friends, the best wife in the world and an incredible daughter who made me a Dad.”
Smith wrote about his successes and adventures he’s had in life, and concluded that had he died, he is happy about what his life has been. “As I stared into the infinite, I realized I was relatively content. Yes, I’d miss life as it moved on without me – and I was bummed we weren’t gonna get to make #jayandsilentbobreboot before I shuffled loose the mortal coil. But generally speaking, I was okay with the end, if this was gonna be it,” he said. “I’ve gotten to do so many cool things and I’ve had so many adventures – how could I be s—ty about finally paying the tab. But the good folks at the Glendale hospital had other plans and the expertise to mend me. Total strangers saved my life tonight (as well as my friends @jordanmonsanto & @iamemilydawn, who called the ambulance). This is all a part of my mythology now and I’m sure I’ll be facing some lifestyle changes (maybe it’s time to go Vegan). But the point of this post is to tell you that I faced my greatest fear tonight… and it wasn’t as bad as I’ve always imagined it’d be. I don’t want my life to end but if it ends, I can’t complain. It was such a gift.”
Chris Pratt was one of the first celebrities to wish the filmmaker well. “Kevin we don’t know each other too good but I have loved you since Clerks and I’m praying my ass off for you cause I believe in the healing power of prayer,” he tweeted. “Can you please pray with me people!? Praying for you. I will continue to.”
Actress Patricia Arquette also tweeted at Smith, saying, “Scary! Glad your [sic] ok.”
Check out Kevin Smith’s uInterview below.
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