’90s Icon Carrot Top Hospitalized After Reported Suicide Attempt

Carrot Top has been hospitalized in Las Vegas, with his representative saying the longtime comedy star is recovering and receiving care after an alarming incident Friday.

The 61-year-old performer, whose real name is Scott Thompson, was taken to a Las Vegas-area hospital on September 18.

TMZ, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation, reported that Thompson had attempted to take his own life. His representative, Jami Schlicher, confirmed that Thompson was hospitalized but did not publicly confirm the circumstances that led to his admission.

“Mr. Thompson is recovering in the hospital and is receiving the care and support he needs,” Schlicher said in a statement reported by multiple outlets.

His family and those close to the comedian also thanked fans for their concern and asked for privacy while he recovers.

Police were photographed outside Thompson’s Las Vegas home Friday afternoon, with TMZ reporting that three police vehicles were seen at the property. Authorities have not publicly released additional details explaining the emergency response.

Thompson’s Friday night performance at the Luxor Hotel and Casino did not go forward. Entertainment Weekly reported that his Saturday appearance was also canceled as he remained hospitalized.

The hospitalization interrupts one of the longest-running comedy acts on the Las Vegas Strip.

Carrot Top has performed at the Luxor since 2005, building a decades-long Vegas career around his trademark red hair, rapid-fire jokes and elaborate collection of comedy props. The Luxor currently advertises his regular performances for 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

He rose to national fame in the 1990s and became one of the era’s most recognizable comedians, later appearing in television shows and movies while maintaining his Las Vegas residency.

The hospitalization comes during an unrelated legal dispute involving singer Brian Evans, although there is currently no verified evidence connecting that litigation to Thompson’s hospitalization.

Evans filed a federal lawsuit against Thompson in the Southern District of Florida on July 8, seeking to invalidate a settlement agreement the two men entered into in 2024.

Court records show Evans brought claims including fraudulent inducement and intentional infliction of emotional distress and argued that the earlier settlement should not be enforced. Those assertions were allegations made in a civil lawsuit, not findings against Thompson.

Evans also sought emergency court intervention, but U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman adopted a magistrate judge’s recommendation denying the request. The court concluded Evans had not demonstrated the imminent, irreparable harm required for that extraordinary relief.

Evans then voluntarily dismissed the federal lawsuit without prejudice on August 6, meaning the case was closed without a ruling on the underlying merits and the dismissal did not necessarily prevent the claims from being pursued elsewhere.

Additional allegations have surfaced amid the legal battle.

Florida man Zachary Defazio filed a sworn declaration this month alleging improper conduct involving Thompson dating to 2021. The allegations have not been established as fact in court, and publicly available reporting reviewed for this story does not indicate Thompson has been criminally charged over those claims.

That distinction is important because a civil filing can contain accusations from a party or witness without a judge or jury having determined that those accusations are true.

For now, Thompson’s immediate future onstage remains uncertain.

His representative has said he is recovering and receiving support, but no timetable has been announced for his return to performing.

The Luxor’s official website continues to list Carrot Top as one of its resident entertainers.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.