Chevy Chase Confirms Eight-Day Coma Following Heart Failure
Chevy Chase, the 80‑year‑old comedian known for Saturday Night Live, suffered a heart failure episode in early 2021 that required hospital care.
He remained in the hospital for five weeks, during which physicians induced a medically controlled coma that lasted roughly eight days.
Following the coma, Chase reported gaps in memory that he attributes to the event. He has been engaging in activities such as card games and chess to support cognitive recovery.
Family members shared insights into the emergency: Jayni Chase, his wife of 43 years, said he could not explain his symptoms before arriving at the emergency department, where his heart stopped. She added that his earlier alcohol use led to cardiomyopathy, a weakening of heart muscle.
In 2025, Chase addressed the experience in a CNN documentary titled “I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not,” where he explained the diagnosis, treatment, and its lasting effects. The program portrays the incident as a pivotal moment in his health journey, and Chase has since reaffirmed his well‑being while returning to family life.