logo
Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons

Tragic Story behind 'Chico and the Man' Freddie Prinze's Early Death

Bettina Dizon
Jun 20, 2019
10:53 A.M.

Behind Freddie Prinze’s comedic spiels and happy smiles was a troubled soul, consumed by narcotics, hopeless and lost, and coping in the only way he knew how -- death.

Advertisement

With his career at its peak, Freddie Prinze had a bright future for him and his son. He was a star, featured at the front of magazines, including “People,” “US,” and “Rolling Stone,” yet his fame and fortune were but a fraction of his life; the rest were thoughts of drugs and suicide.

FROM THE GROUND UP

From a $2-an-hour Broadway Usher at 17, to debut show in the “Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” the following year, Prinze had a full future ahead of him. Soon after, he starred in NBC’s “Chico and the Man,” with his co-star, Jack Albertson, who later became a good friend.

Advertisement

In 1975, he released “Looking Good,” a comedy collection which shot his fame up and paved the way for guestings on several talk shows. Included in his gigs were stand-up shows in Vegas and a performance at former President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration ball.

LOVE AND DRUGS

“His judgment was impaired by his age, drugs, and the incredible success,” said Peter Greenberg, the producer of Prinze’s TV bio.

At 16-years-old, the “Chico” star grew heavy on drugs having five grams of cocaine a day and several Quaaludes. He could have ended up in jail for speeding and driving under the influence, but the Hollywood actor knew how to charm his way out of the cops.

Advertisement
Advertisement

He settled down with a cocktail waitress, Kathy Cochran, who later gave birth to their only child, Freddie Prinze Jr. A while into their marriage, the couple began experiencing problems until Cochran couldn’t handle anymore.

After his wife filed for divorce and a restraining order, the narcotics driven actor’s life spiraled downwards as he fell into depression. In 1977, Prinze started making calls to bid his loved ones goodbye, including his business manager, Marvin “Dusty” Snyder.

Advertisement

Use of narcotics among Hollywood stars was nothing new in the day given that shooting films involved late night hours.

A TORMENTED SOUL

Naturally, Snyder rushed to room 216 at the Beverly Hills Hotel Plaza, where Prinze was and talked him out of his suicidal thoughts; but nothing could stop him. The actor continued to phone people, his mom in particular, and in front of Dusty, said:

“Mom, I love you very much, but I can’t go on. I need to find peace.” At 3:30 a.m., he called Cochran and said: “I love you, Kathy. I love the baby, but I need to find peace. I can’t go on.”

Advertisement

With the phone in one hand and the gun on the other, Prinze pointed the gun to his head. Dusty went for the gun and reminded the troubled actor of his mother and his son, but nothing could stop Prinze. After being rushed to surgery, Freddie Prinze died as 22-years-old.

Advertisement

DRUGS IN HOLLYWOOD

Use of narcotics among Hollywood stars was nothing new in the day given that shooting films involved late night hours. More so, large sums of cash inflows among young actors allowed access to addictive substances.

John Belushi, a comedian as well, was among those who succumbed to the obsessive use of cocaine which later cost him his life. Dan Aykroyd, his co-star on “The Blues Brothers,” admitted to the pervasive use of drugs on set, even having a budget for it during late night shoots.

“Everyone did it, including me. Never to excess, and not ever to where I wanted to buy it or have it. [But] John, he just loved what it did. It sort of brought him alive at night,” he shared.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Bob Saget's Longtime Home Gets $770K Price Cut – Nobody Is Ready to Buy House He Lived in until His Tragic Death

October 16, 2022

Joan Rivers Spoke With Her Husband the Day Before He Was Found Lifeless With Tapes for Wife & Daughter

February 11, 2022

Robin Williams Wanted His Children to Be Proud of Him — Meet His 3 Kids Who He Cherished

March 09, 2022

Johnny Cash Did Not Say ‘I Love You’ to June Carter for Years - She Declined His First Proposals

January 29, 2022

Kelly LeBrock Was 'Instantly Attracted' to Steven Seagal Yet 'Hated' Herself after Their Divorce

May 09, 2022

Martin Sheen's Four Children Follow in His Footsteps - One of Them Also Inherited His Vices

February 04, 2022

Patrick Swayze's Last Words Before He Slipped into a Coma

February 04, 2022

Tim Allen Left Ex-wife of 15 Years ‘In the Back Seat’ When He Found Fame Despite Her Support in His Career

April 08, 2022

Stepson Mocked by Adoptive Parents & Their Children Finds Letters They Hid from Him – Story of the Day

March 12, 2022

Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz's Kids Lived Different Lives after Parents Thrust Them into the Spotlight

February 13, 2022

Samuel L Jackson & Wife Are Married for 41 Years & 'Still Love Each Other' Though They Took 10 Years to Wed

March 10, 2022

Sharon Osbourne Stayed with Ozzy Despite 'a Lot' of His Infidelities — They Have Been Married for 39 Years Now

March 14, 2022

Bruno Mars Had to Live In a Zoo After Parents’ Divorce – He Slept in 1 Bed With His Dad & Brother

April 05, 2022

Twins Send Dad to Nursing Home, Learn He Left Inheritance to Janitor Who Is Their Carbon Copy – Story of the Day

February 13, 2022