Eccentric British dandy and author Sebastian Horsley, best known for having himself nailed to a cross in the Philippines in the name of art, has died of a suspected drug overdose, British media reported.
The 47-year-old was found dead at his London apartment on Thursday just days after a play based on his memoirs opened at the Soho Theater.
In 2008, he was denied entry to the US on the grounds of “moral turpitude.”
“They said I was suffering from moral turpitude,” Horsley said at the time. “I was very surprised. I’m feeling quite well. I’ve never drunk turpentine in my life.”
He was also quoted to have said: “I have invested 90 percent of my money on prostitutes, the rest on Class A drugs, the remains I squandered.”
His lurid autobiography of drug addiction and sex called Dandy in the Underworld was variously described as amusing and revolting.
It was turned into a play written and directed by Tim Fountain. The theater where the work is being staged said it would continue with the show despite his death.
Tributes poured in for Horsley, recognizable by his flamboyant dress and towering black top hat.
“Totally obscure, totally weird; always interesting, always funny. In an age of corporate press releases, he was blessed relief,” wrote Emily Hill in the Guardian.
Former 7th Heaven star Jeremy London also used drugs recently — though he says he didn’t want to.
Prosecutors in California announced on Thursday that a man has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping London and forcing him to use drugs.
But gossip Web sites smell something fishy. RadarOnline.com reports that London is subject to random drug testing in connection with a custody issue involving his son. And in an interview with E! News that aired on Friday, London’s twin brother Jason and mom Debbie Nielsen said they believe the actor had relapsed after kicking an addiction to prescription pills.
Brandon Adams, 26, of Palm Springs, meanwhile, remained jailed after being arraigned on Tuesday on five charges that include kidnapping and theft, said Michael Jeandron, a district attorney’s spokesman.
A statement from Palm Springs police said London, who also appeared on TV’s Party of Five, was kidnapped while changing a flat tire on June 10.
The 37-year-old actor told police that several men helped him and he offered them a ride home. Police said one man later pulled a gun, forced London to drive around, buy alcohol and smoke crack cocaine.
London said he escaped but his car was stolen. Police later found it and on June 11 arrested Adams.
Dominic Friesen, a publicist for London, said on Thursday that the actor was working closely with police in their investigation. Friesen said London is at “an undisclosed location with family and friends” and appreciates the support from his fans.
In other news, Jake and Elwood, the loveable, hapless characters played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in the classic 1980 film The Blues Brothers, have finally gotten Vatican recognition for their “Mission from God.”
To mark this week’s 30th anniversary of the film, which became a cult classic and spawned a fashion of wearing black hats and dark sunglasses to parties, the Vatican newspaper dedicated a full page and no fewer than five articles to it.
One of the articles says there is “no lack of evidence” that The Blues Brothers can be considered “a Catholic film.”
It notes that Jake’s release from prison and the commitment by him and Elwood to put their blues revival band back together to raise money to save an orphanage from forced closure has parallels with the Biblical story of the prodigal son.
Jake and Elwood — who say they are on a “mission from God” to raise the money to pay a back tax bill for the orphanage — and the band members, are symbols of “redemption obtained with sacrifice.”
The newspaper also notes that the film is sprinkled with Catholic and moral references such as the nun Sister Mary Stigmata, who they call “The Penguin.”
Elwood even passes up a chance for a one-night stand with a woman played by Twiggy in order to fulfill the mission, it says.
“This is a memorable film, and, judging by the facts, a Catholic one,” the newspaper said.
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