Kovar, who also appeared on Celebrity Rehab, was discovered early Friday morning by a friend who saw blood coming out of his nose and ears and called the police, his rep told TMZ.
When authorities arrived, Kovar was pronounced dead. He was 29.
Described on his Twitter page as an “EX Reality Star, Musician, Song writer, Model, Actor, Professional Wrestler, Nutrition and Supplement Enthusiast, Personal Trainer, Security Guard,” Kovar struggled publicly with drug abuse, entering rehab while filming the Real World and seeking help on Celebrity Rehab for addiction to cocaine and ecstasy.
According to a bio on the show’s website, which premiered in January 2010, “Joey had been abusing massive amounts of alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, meth and, as part of his bodybuilding, steroids since he was a teenager and had come very close to death through an overdose.”
A spokesperson for MTV said Friday, “MTV is deeply saddened to learn that Joey Kovar of The Real World: Hollywood has passed away. We offer our sympathies to Joey’s loved ones, friends and fans.”
As recently as Thursday, Kovar Tweeted the following messages:
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
