Director Kevin Smith Survives A Massive Heart Attack
It’s not very often we post stories like this. As editor of the site, I tend to shy away from posting stories involving people being ill or dying, as it all feels a bit trading peoples misery for clicks, and I’m not really comfortable with that. However, I’m such a huge fan of director & podcaster Kevin Smith I just wanted to post something about this.
Earlier today, Kevin posted on various social media sites that he had suffered a massive heart attack whilst filming a standup special last night. “After the first show, I felt kinda nauseous,” he says. “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. The Doctor who saved my life at the #glendale hospital told me I had 100% blockage of my LAD artery (also known as “the Widow-Maker” because when it goes, you’re a goner). If I hadn’t cancelled the second show to go to the hospital, the Doc said I would’ve died tonight. For now, I’m still above ground!”
I came to Kevin’s work post ‘Clerks’ – the movie that put him on the map. Although I have since gone back and watched it, it’s the string of films that followed that got me hooked. ‘Chasing Amy’, ‘Mallrats’ and especially ‘Dogma’.
As he moved later into his career he built up an array of podcasts in the SMODcast network. This was one of the big inspirations to create our own weekly show ‘Geektown Radio‘. What I’ve always loved about Kevin as a person, and in his work, is the relentless positivity. He’s never the type of guy to say “you can’t do that”, and always seems to be out to motivate people. In his book, ‘Tough Shit: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good’, he says “In the face of such hopelessness as our eventual, unavoidable death, there is little sense in not at least trying to accomplish all of your wildest dreams in life.” That death is something Kevin has just come face-to-face with.
He’s also always been a brilliant and eloquent storyteller and writer… when he wants to be… although there is always the temptation to slip in a dick joke. However, if you’ve never seen his stand up ‘Evening With Kevin Smith’ DVDs, I urge you to go and look them up. They are some of the best stories you will ever hear about the experience of working in Hollywood. His tale about working with Prince and the story of his Superman script are some of the funniest things you will hear. Even laid up in a hospital bed, he has a great turn of phrase. He continues…
“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). 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. But 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. I’ve gotten to do so many cool things and I’ve had so many adventures – how could I be shitty 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).”
He concludes with this rather poignant point: “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. #KevinSmith”
I just want to end this by saying “GET WELL SOON” Kevin. You’re not allowed to go anywhere yet! There are still too many stories you have to tell, and the world would be a much sadder place without you!
