Jeff Conaway
Back when I was working at Warner Bros. producing the Official Babylon 5 Web Site, one of my favorite things to do, as you can imagine, was visiting the Babylon 5 set. But besides the flashing lights, illuminated panels and duct tape, one of the main reasons was I always felt at home there, even though I was technically “a suit.”
A typical visit to the set would entail me entering through the main entrance and signing in at the window (in later seasons I had to have a guest name badge assigned to me for some reason.) I would then go through a door and down the hallway, first stopping at Jeffrey Willerth’s narrow dwelling, then stopping in to say hi to John Copeland and his faithful companion who was usually there with tail wagging. Then I would continue down and if I was feeling daring, stop at the last office on the right and say hi to Joe, aka “J. Michael Straczynski” aka “The Great Maker.”
Then I would usually find Jeff Conaway.
Jeff was one of those cast members who always had the time to say hi. We had first met at one of those “live chats” where I conducted a conference online between him and Babylon 5 fans. Ever since then, whenever I was on the set, he would always greet me with a big hello, handshake and smile.
Jeff was infectious. Not with anything bad, but he was always fun to be around. We’ve all seen television bloopers, but when Jeff made a mistake, either he would bust out laughing, or he would very honestly be upset that he blew the line. I remember when I was first told his age, and at the time I couldn’t believe that a guy who looks so young could be over 50 and have grandchildren. I couldn’t believe he was over 35.
In recent years, I have hated turning on the television, as the TV magazine shows have had a field day with Jeff. From getting kicked off/quitting celebrity fit club, and then the awful video from Celebrity Rehab, we have been shown a very different Jeff Conaway. Now he walks with a total chest/back brace as a result of lifting boxes - a far cry from the happy-go-lucky Zach Allen I remember from my visits to the set.
I haven’t spoken to Jeff since the series ended, but I have heard he is investigating Scientology as a way of dealing with his sobriety, drug use, and physical condition - no doubt thanks to John Travolta. Whatever the reason, I’m glad to hear that Jeff is finally doing better.
Take care, Jeff.
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Comments
Hi Michael,
Just saw the comment today. 
Every time I think about Zach, I always think about him complaining about his itchy uniforms… I wonder if it was all acting! 
I had no idea who “that messed up guy” on Celebrity Rehab was until I read in the paper that he was “the guy who played Kenickie in the film Grease.” Wow, it made me so sad to realize it was him. I can understand being addicted to painkillers from an injury, but not cocaine. I hope that Jeff finds the answers to his problems and can get his life back on track soon. Nobody who has done so many great things deserves to fall so low. He should read “Healing Back Pain” by Dr. John Sarno. It helped me, and it has helped thousands of others, too!
Hi Lynn - thanks for the comment!
Jeff got a lot of flack when he was on the reality shows for being mean, and of course being drunk or otherwise incapacitated.
But like I said, the Jeff Conaway I know was one of the most fun cast members of Babylon 5. I’m glad he is finally getting some help, even if it is from a controversial source.
I met Jeff a couple of days ago. He was very nice and graceous. He talked to me about his back surgeries as I had back surgery as well last year. I hope he can make a come back of some kind and show everybody the real actor that all of us fans know he can be. I know he can see that life is great!!!
I’ve never met him, but he always struck me as a nice guy and a good performer, and I wish him well.