Actor David Gail, 58, of Port Charles, died last month from complications related to his brain and heart after overdosing on amphetamines, cocaine, ethanol, and fentanyl. His mother is now vocal about the dangers linked to pharmaceutical addiction and the fentanyl epidemic.
The official cause of death is anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (a brain injury caused by a lack of blood flow) after resuscitation from a cardiopulmonary arrest caused by drug intoxication.
Gail’s heartbroken mother, Mary Painter, recently told Deadline, “It breaks my heart to learn that my son died this way.” She adds, “David became reliant on medicine many years ago, after multiple surgeries on his hands and wrists. He lived in enough pain to prevent him from working for almost a decade, with relief only achieved through full disability, physical therapy and pain medicine. He struggled to stop taking pharmaceuticals and did before turning toward a more Eastern pain management including acupuncture and natural medicines. I can only assume that his former opioid dependence played a part in self-medicating from uncontrolled sources.”
Emergency personnel discovered Gail unconscious and tried to revive him using defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He was placed on life support despite their best efforts, where he stayed for a few days before being declared dead on January 16.
At first, his family thought heart failure was the cause of his death. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Gail pursued a career in stock trading after studying finance. His passion for acting brought him to the theater and then to Los Angeles.
He made his acting debut on film in a Growing Pains episode in 1990. After making guest appearances on a few other episodic shows, he was cast in Beverly Hills, 90210 as Stuart Carson, Brenda Walsh’s love interest played by Shannen Dougherty.
He was cast in the 1999 spin-off soap opera Port Charles as Dr. Joe Scanlon, a position he would hold for almost 200 episodes.
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The Roundtable, Savannah, Matlock, Murder, She Wrote, Doogie Howser, M.D., and Perfect Opposites are among her other TV credits. He acted in the movie Bending All the Rules with Bradley Cooper.
“David’s death shines a light on the countless innocent victims of pharmaceutical addiction and the fentanyl epidemic that has taken so many of our sons and daughters,” the actor’s mother stated. “Please keep David and others battling pain or dependence, in your thoughts and prayers.”
Look at the tweet for more further details:
'Port Charles' Actor David Gail Cause Of Death Determined, Mother Speaks Out Against Fentanyl Epidemic https://t.co/yAkFnQ8uOC
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) February 24, 2024
Gail is survived by his sister Kathryn Gail and son Guthier, in addition to his mother. At this time, the family seeks privacy and asks that donations to the Partnership To End Addiction be sent in Gail’s honor instead of flowers.
“We are extremely touched by the outpouring of love from David’s dedicated fans and colleagues,” said his mother. “We are grateful for all the support received during this very difficult time.”
