Chevy Chase Reveals Ordeal With Heart Failure And Coma

New details have emerged regarding a severe medical emergency involving comedy legend Chevy Chase. The 82-year-old actor recently disclosed that he was placed in a medically induced coma for eight days following a heart failure incident in 2021. While reports at the time mentioned a hospitalization for undisclosed heart issues, the gravity of the situation was kept private until now. This revelation serves as a central topic in his upcoming CNN documentary titled ‘I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not’.

Family members and friends provided harrowing accounts of the ordeal in the new film. His daughter Caley Chase stated that her father has essentially come back from the dead after the scare. She noted that doctors warned the family to prepare for the worst because they were unsure if he would survive or how much brain function he would retain. His wife Jayni Chase recalled rushing him to the emergency room where his heart reportedly stopped completely.

The medical crisis was attributed to cardiomyopathy which Jayni explained was a result of years of alcohol consumption. This condition causes the heart muscles to weaken and struggle to pump blood effectively throughout the body. Peter Aaron, a longtime friend of the actor, described the decision to place Chase in a coma as a drastic measure that was very rough on the body. Upon waking up, the actor faced a difficult recovery period where he had to reorient himself significantly.

Chase is now recovered but admits that the heart failure has had lasting effects on his memory. He addressed these cognitive gaps in the documentary while discussing his controversial past behavior on sets like ‘Community’ and ‘Saturday Night Live’. The comedian expressed regret over leaving ‘SNL’ so early in his career and mentioned feeling hurt about being excluded from the show’s 50th-anniversary special earlier in 2025. Despite these challenges, he maintains that he is feeling good and is happy to be home with his family.

Please share your favorite Chevy Chase movie or memory in the comments.