Comedian Carrot Top is hospitalized in Las Vegas and recovering, his representative, Jami Schlicher, confirmed Saturday, Sept. 19. Fox News reported that he was admitted Friday, Sept. 18. The 61-year-old performer, whose real name is Scott Thompson, is known for his prop comedy, colorful outfits and unmistakable mane of red hair. His team has not said why he was hospitalized or shared further details about his condition .
What his representative has said
In a statement that referred to him by his real name, Schlicher said Thompson is recovering in the hospital and getting the care and support he needs. His family and those closest to him thanked people for their concern and prayers and asked that their privacy be respected.
The hospitalization forced the cancellation of his Friday and Saturday performances at the Atrium Showroom of the Luxor hotel and casino, where he performs regularly. The resort, part of MGM Resorts, said in a statement to local station KLAS that Thompson is a beloved member of its family, that it was relieved to learn he is recovering, and that it wishes him strength as he receives care.
Several fellow comedians have also shown their support on social media, including Dane Cook, Brad Garrett and Jeff Ross. In a video posted to Instagram on Saturday, Cook described Thompson as an outstanding, deeply talented person who is full of love for the comedy world, and said he and others hope to see him back on stage after a full recovery.
Carrot Top, more than two decades in Las Vegas
Carrot Top is a familiar name in Las Vegas entertainment. Born in Florida and raised in Cocoa Beach, he has held a residency at the Luxor since November 2005, with a prop-driven comedy show. According to MGM Resorts, his contract with the hotel runs through 2030 . When the news broke, tickets for his upcoming shows were still on sale .
That high-energy, prop-based style made him a pop culture phenomenon and a regular on 1990s television. In recent years, apart from his live shows, he has largely stayed out of the public eye. In a 2023 interview on the Whiskey Ginger podcast, he said he has grown more confident in his craft over the years and that he loves writing and trying out new jokes every night.
From Star Search to the big screen
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His career took off after he appeared on the talent show Star Search in 1991. He didn’t win, but he made a big impression. In 1995, Jay Leno introduced him on The Tonight Show as a rising comic who was winning over America, and he took the stage in a dress that converted into pants and two trunks packed with props, including a pasta strainer he wore on his belt as protection against sniffer dogs.
His film and television career was more uneven. In 1999 he won a Razzie for Chairman of the Board, a box office flop released the year before. He played himself in Pauly Shore Is Dead (2003) and made occasional TV appearances, including an episode of Hacks in 2024. He also voiced animated versions of himself on Family Guy and Robot Chicken and appeared as a driver in Sharknado 4. Still, his name remains most closely tied to the stages of Las Vegas.
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José Hernández