Carrot Top Hospitalized as Luxor Cancels Weekend Shows

Carrot Top is recovering in a Las Vegas hospital as the Luxor cancels his Friday and Saturday shows following a reported suicide attempt.

Carrot Top, whose real name is Scott Thompson, was taken to a local hospital in Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 18, according to TMZ, which first reported the news. His representative, Jami Schlicher, confirmed the hospitalization to multiple outlets, saying, "Mr. Thompson is recovering in the hospital and is receiving the care and support he needs," and that his family "respectfully ask for privacy." She did not disclose why he was hospitalized. TMZ also obtained images reportedly taken outside the comedian's home with several police cars parked outside, as cited by USA Today.

The surprising and grim development inside the comedy world is the reported cause: TMZ, as cited by USA Today and Billboard, reported that the 61-year-old attempted suicide on Friday. His representative has neither confirmed nor denied those reports and declined to share the reason for the hospitalization, so the allegation remains unconfirmed by his camp. For fans, the contrast is stark — the performer known for trunk loads of props, wacky inventions, and high-energy finales on stage now sits at the center of a serious health crisis, and search interest in his name spiked sharply over the weekend.

Carrot Top was scheduled to perform at the Luxor Hotel & Casino, where he has headlined a residency since 2005, on Friday and Saturday, but those appearances were canceled. Entertainment Weekly, via Yahoo, reports his next slated performance is listed as Monday, Sept. 21, though it is unclear whether he will return to the stage by then. The hotel issued a statement to KLAS: "Scott is a beloved member of the Luxor and MGM Resorts family, and we are relieved to hear that he is recovering." As of Friday night, KOLD noted his social media accounts had not posted about the cancellation.

Two things are corroborated across outlets: the hospitalization and the rep's statement, which NBC News, KOLD, USA Today, Billboard, and Entertainment Weekly all quote identically. The suicide attempt allegation traces to a single origin, TMZ, which is why USA Today and Billboard attribute it explicitly while noting the rep has neither confirmed nor denied it. Local Las Vegas outlets, as summarized by USA Today, report the reason for hospitalization remains undisclosed. Billboard adds that tickets for upcoming shows were still available at press time, even as the weekend dates were pulled.

Carrot Top's Luxor run began in November 2005, and Billboard reports his contract with the venue extends through 2030, making it one of the best comedy residencies in Las Vegas by the event's own branding. A career's worth of goodwill is also in play: he broke out on 'Star Search' in 1991, won an American Comedy Award in 1994, was introduced by Jay Leno on the 'Tonight Show' as the comedian 'taking America by storm,' and appeared in 'Hacks,' 'Scrubs,' 'Family Guy,' and 'Reno 911!'. Jerry Lewis once called him 'marvelous' on the MDA Telethon, per NBC News.

Watch for Monday: whether the listed Sept. 21 performance goes ahead will be the first signal of how long the hiatus runs, though Entertainment Weekly notes the Luxor had not confirmed his return. His representative has said no further details will be shared, and the family has asked for privacy, so most outlets may go quiet unless there is an official update. Billboard and USA Today both closed their coverage by pointing readers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 for confidential support — a reminder that this story, however it developed in the comedy world, is first a matter of health.