When morning traffic pushed through Hollywood Boulevard this Tuesday, few expected to find a familiar face collapsed on the steps of a storefront, yet that’s exactly what unfolded. At around 3:14 p.m., law enforcement and emergency responders arrived after a 911 call reported 59-year-old comedian Andy Dick to be unresponsive outside a liquor store.

According to footage obtained by TMZ and statements from the Los Angeles Fire Department, bystanders stepped in immediately. Witnesses administered Narcan and attempted first aid while calling out for help. Security guard Shawn Harrell, who works in the strip mall where the incident occurred, described a chaotic scene that left strangers convinced the actor had died. His “face and hands turned blue,” he said, as friends called out for help and sprayed Narcan.

The Andy Dick Overdose: What Happened on Hollywood Boulevard

Multiple eyewitnesses and videos reviewed by media outlets show Dick collapsing in broad daylight on a set of steps near Highland and Yucca. His glasses fell nearby as he appeared unresponsive, prompting strangers to intervene within seconds.

One witness reportedly shouted for Narcan, the overdose-reversal medication, while others attempted CPR. The urgency of the moment left many fearing the worst until first responders from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arrived. LAFD confirmed they were responding to a medical emergency involving a 59-year-old man, though they did not identify Dick by name due to privacy rules.

After receiving Narcan, Dick eventually regained consciousness. He declined hospital transport and was later taken home by a friend. In a video published shortly afterward, he claimed he had smoked crack with a stranger shortly before the collapse, insisting, “I’m 110 percent fine.”

Inside Andy Dick’s Long Battle With Addiction, Arrests, and Public Controversies

This latest incident is another entry in a long, troubled history of substance abuse that has followed Dick for decades. As PEOPLE reported, the actor’s representatives “did not immediately respond to a request for comment,” a familiar silence during moments when his personal struggles reenter the spotlight.

Dick, father to Lucas (37), Jacob (31), and Meg (28), has openly faced addiction throughout his career. His recurring relapses have impacted his work, strained his relationships, and repeatedly led to public and legal challenges. In 2021, he was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, later released on $50,000 bail, adding to an already extensive list of personal crises linked to substance use.

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The latest scare in Andy Dick’s journey is only the newest chapter in a decades-long battle with substance abuse. As PEOPLE noted, the actor’s reps “did not immediately respond to a request for comment,” a familiar silence whenever his public crises resurface.

Dick — father to three adult children, Lucas (37), Jacob (31), and Meg (28) — has openly struggled with drug and alcohol addiction throughout his career. His relapse cycles have repeatedly spilled into public view, affecting his relationships, health, and work opportunities.

In 2021, he was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, a charge the LAPD confirmed at the time. He was later released on $50,000 bail, adding to a lengthy list of legal and personal challenges tied to his substance use.

The Impact on His Family and Former Partners

Andy Dick’s instability has often taken an emotional toll on those closest to him. His former fiancée, Elisa Jordana, spoke about this openly during a live broadcast on her Kermit and Friends show. “It was just the worst week with him… every day there was some kind of problem,” she said, reflecting on events leading up to his 2021 arrest.

Jordana ended their engagement a month later. She admitted feeling a sense of relief when he was taken into custody, explaining that she believed some people around him “are more dangerous than people in jail.” She also described troubling incidents she witnessed during their relationship, including Dick allegedly stealing restaurant items such as cutlery and plates, and a violent confrontation involving a metal chair that left another individual hospitalized. “He could have killed him,” she said. “I knew that night wasn’t gonna end well.”

Harassment Claims and Career Fallout

Dick’s career has also suffered from repeated misconduct allegations. In 2017, he was removed from a film following claims of sexual harassment. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he offered a defense that drew widespread criticism: “I didn’t grope anybody. I might have kissed somebody on the cheek to say goodbye and then licked them. That’s my thing.”

Though he denied intending harm, the controversy deepened industry concerns about his behavior and further affected his professional standing.

Why This Incident Resonates And What It Reflects About Addiction

For longtime followers of Andy Dick’s career, this latest scare underscores the ongoing fragility of recovery. His long, public struggle with addiction, legal troubles, and high-profile setbacks has been extensively documented. And while bystanders’ quick actions likely played a key role in his survival, the absence of immediate hospital care raises questions about what support he will receive next.

Health officials often emphasize that reversing an overdose is only the beginning. Without continued treatment, counseling, and stable support systems, the risk of relapse remains high. Friends of the actor noted that reminders about his grandchildren were what ultimately helped him respond during the emergency.

For decades, Dick’s challenges have unfolded in the public eye, affecting his family, career, and community. As another chapter closes, many hope he finds the long-term care, stability, and support needed to finally break the cycle.

Featured image: Greg Doherty/Getty Images

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