UPDATE: Carrot Top Awake and Breathing on His Own After Suicide Attempt

UPDATE: Carrot Top (real name: Scott Thompson) remains hospitalized in Las Vegas following what is now widely being reported as a suicide attempt on Friday (Sept. 18). On Sunday afternoon (Sept. 20), a rep for the beloved longtime Strip comedian told TMZ he “is now awake, breathing on his own and continuing to improve, surrounded by his family and those closest to him.”

All Carrot Top shows at the Luxor have been canceled at least through Saturday (Sept. 26).

In other Carrot Top news, Brian Evans—the man accused in a lawsuit filed by the comic of extorting him over a sex tape—told TMZ he denies ever threatening to release the tape. He claims it was erased from a USB drive “in accordance with the prior settlement”—a statement that TMZ did not elaborate on—and that he’s “sorry that Scott apparently did something to hurt himself.”

EARLIER: Carrot Top, the comic with the longest-running current Strip residency at more than 20 years, was rushed to a hospital on Friday (Sept. 18) after what TMZ reported as a suicide attempt. 

His publicist, Jami Schlicher, confirmed only that he is recovering and receiving care. She asked for privacy on behalf of his family and close friends and did not address the reported cause.

“Scott is a beloved member of the Luxor and MGM Resorts family, and we are relieved to hear that he is recovering,” an MGM Resorts spokesman told news outlets on Friday night. “We are thinking of him and wish him strength as he receives the care and support he needs.”

Carrot Top’s Friday and Saturday (Sept. 19) shows at Luxor’s Atrium Showroom were canceled. The residency is dark on Sundays.

Legal Troubles

The Florida native—known on his driver’s license as Scott Thompson—was facing legal troubles, according to news reports.

Carrot Top’s legal team told TMZ that the comedian was the target of an extortion attempt in the weeks leading up to his suicide attempt, according to a Sept. 3 court filing obtained by the entertainment website. His attorney alleges that Brian Evans threatened to leak a sex tape involving the 61‑year‑old performer into the court docket unless he received a $500,000 payout.

In response, Carrot Top’s attorneys argued the messages were “a malicious threat to expose Thompson to disgrace… with intent thereby to extort money under the guise of litigation conduct.”

The comedian has headlined the Atrium Showroom since November 2005, performing a high-energy show that mixes prop comedy, blue humor, and topical material and has been extended in later contract deals.

The Luxor has not announced a return date, though as of Friday night, Monday’s 8 p.m. performance was still listed on sale.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.