David Johansen's daughter says he's 'very sick' but 'totally with us' as she shares dad's health update
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Leah Hennessey, daughter of punk icon David Johansen, has shared an update on her father's health, revealing that the legendary musician is currently "physically incapacitated" due to his ongoing battle with a brain tumor and a decade-long struggle with cancer.
In an exclusive interview with People, Hennessey explained that while her father is facing serious physical limitations, he remains mentally and emotionally present.
Leah Hennessey shares father's health struggles and efforts to raise funds for his care
“He's very, very sick, but he's reading all the messages and he's getting in touch with people he hasn't talked to in many years,” Leah Hennessey shared. “The connection is probably the best thing for him right now — as it is for all of us.”
Hennessey also revealed that the situation took a turn for the worse after her father suffered a fall on Thanksgiving. “He was just walking down the stairs and he slipped,” she further added. “The fall is really when things turned. It really accelerated things.”
Since the fall, Johansen has been bedridden and unable to walk. “He's totally with us — mentally, emotionally,” Hennessey noted, but “he's physically incapacitated. He's bedridden. He can't walk and hasn't been able to since Thanksgiving.”
Despite the difficult circumstances, Hennessey emphasized that her father and his wife, Mara Hennessey, prefer to keep their medical details private for now.
"That's up to their discretion," Hennessey explained. However, she did have their blessing to share the news about his condition to raise funds for Johansen’s care.
Feeling overwhelmed by her helplessness, Hennessey decided to take action by partnering with the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, which provides financial assistance to those in the music industry facing health challenges.
“I volunteered to do this for my parents because I was so overwhelmed by my own powerlessness in the face of this tragedy and what was starting to feel like a crisis,” she said. “I'm just so grateful that I could help in a way that was within my skill set.”
Leah Hennessey launches fundraising campaign to support father David Johansen’s care
The fundraising efforts include a specially designed shirt in David Johansen's honor and direct donations.
Hennessey explained, "Fame does not equal financial security," and emphasized that the funds will help cover “the mountain of medical debt that has accrued over the past ten years,” as well as the ongoing round-the-clock care Johansen requires.
Hennessey also shared a touching glimpse into her parents' relationship. Hennessey described her mother as being in "a 24-hour state of devotion. Their love is mythological," adding, "They are so in love every moment of the day and it's an incredible thing to be part of and see."
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She also expressed her gratitude for the support already received, noting that the donations, most of which are under $100, have made a significant impact, “It's really making me cry because almost all of the donations are under $100. It's the kind of money that people are happy to spend on a musician they love.”
Hennessey encourages people to continue sharing their memories of her father, explaining, “We love seeing all the different perspectives and the celebrations of his life — [it] really is a big part of the fundraiser.”
Known for his work with the New York Dolls and his alter-ego persona Buster Poindexter, Johansen has had an indelible influence on music and pop culture. He is also remembered for his hit 1987 song "Hot Hot Hot" and his iconic role as the Ghost of Christmas Past in 'Scrooged'.
As Hennessey shared, despite the challenging circumstances, Johansen's legacy will endure. “The truth is that his fans, they're always gonna have David. They're always gonna have the David that they know, and we're not going to have our David," Hennessey said. "The man, the real guy at the kitchen table, that's who's gonna be gone.”
She concluded, “But what he's created and the impact he's had on the world, and what he's given over and over again, that's not going anywhere. He's part of the city, and he's part of the culture, and he's part of history. That's gonna live on no matter what.”
