Carrot Top is awake and breathing on his own after 'suicide attempt'… as man accused of extorting him speaks out

Carrot Top's condition is improving after he was hospitalized following a 'suicide attempt,' as his former opening act is denying being responsible. 

The 61-year-old comedian, whose real name is Scott Thompson, has been joking around with the medical staff caring for him and has taken time to read messages from fans, a representative told TMZ.

'Scott remains hospitalized and under close medical care,' the rep told the publication. 

'He is now awake, breathing on his own and continuing to improve, surrounded by his family and those closest to him.' 

Before the incident on Friday, the star was asked to pay $500,000 by singer Brian Evans or risk having a sexually explicit recording leaked, his lawyer previously claimed.

In the statement to TMZ the rep shared that he has been reading 'stories from people about how his comedy helped them through difficult periods in their own lives.'

'Hearing those stories and feeling that support has meant a great deal to him during his recovery,' the rep continued. 

'Scott and his family remain deeply grateful for the extraordinary kindness and continue to ask that his privacy be respected.' 

Carrot Top tried to take his own life only hours before a scheduled show in Las Vegas. Police were later seen arriving to his residence on Saturday amid the star's hospitalization. 

Meanwhile, Evans told TMZ in a statement on Sunday: 'I never threatened - ever - to post any video anywhere in exchange for a settlement. … The video they are discussing - as I made very clear - was deleted a long time ago in accordance with the prior settlement.'

In a filing made on September 3 and obtained by the Daily Mail, Thompson's lawyer claimed Evans had threatened that the comedian either pay half a million or have sexually explicit content with Thompson in it put on a USB drive and sent to a court's legal docket. 

In an email sent by Evans to Thompson's lawyer, he did not specifically detail what the recording entailed and Evans claimed it was 'not a threat.'

He added on Sunday to TMZ that he's sorry Carrot Top 'apparently did something to hurt himself.'

'I do not consider Scott to be a bad person ... based on what I know - but he made a few decisions that were not good ones. That is not a reason to hurt himself,' the statement continues.

'Finally, it’s not my fault … that Scott did what he did. We don’t even actually know what he did. He survived and I am glad about that. Scott is still young and has a big life ahead of him. It’s not my intent to bring this guy down. It’s the opposite.'

Evans then elaborated that $500,000 needed to be sent to him 'in immediately available funds' for 'resolution of all claims against Scott Thompson....'

Evans had previously explained: 'Given the existing posture of the case and the coverage already in print, I expect the press will report the motion and will use its own imagination about what the USB is.'

Evans also wrote, 'That is a foreseeable fact about third-party reporting of a public docket. It is not a threat.' 

Evans said in his email that he does 'not control the public docket' and does 'not control the press.' 

It is not clear if it was a demand or a bona fide offer of settlement, per the documents reviewed by the Daily Mail. 

However, in response to Evans, Thompson's legal team called the case a 'malicious threat' meant to 'expose' the star. 

'This is not settlement communication,' they wrote. 

'On its face it is a malicious threat to expose Thompson to disgrace, and to expose a secret affecting him, with intent thereby to extort money under the guise of litigation conduct.' 

A representative for Thompson, Jami Schlicher, told Daily Mail in a statement: 'A federal court recently declared Mr. Evans a "vexatious litigant" and described his filings as "serial" and "spurious." 

'In dismissing one of his cases with prejudice, the court went even further, stating: "It appears this entire case is designed to harass Defendants." The court's findings and Mr. Evans's litigation record speak for themselves.'

Schlicher added that Thompson 'is currently recovering, surrounded by his family and those closest to him. 

'His focus is on his health and recovery, and we ask that his privacy be respected at this time.'

Evans, who is representing himself, told the Daily Mail, 'I never threatened - ever - to post any video anywhere in exchange for a settlement.' 

He also said that it is 'not the black and white story portrayed.' 

Following Thompson's hospitalization, fans and other celebrities such as Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett shared a touching tribute on social media on Saturday.

He uploaded an Instagram photo as he posed with the comedian as well as former co-star Ray Romano. 

'Oh my beautiful, talented friend @carrottoplive. We're ALL thanking our lucky stars that you're ok,' the actor penned in the caption. 

'Please take this time to remember how appreciated and loved you are by so many. (Except Ray. It's a long story, just trust me.) We're here for you. We need you okay. YOU need you okay.'

Garrett added, 'Whatever it takes we're here for you. You're getting a second chance for a reason. Use it wisely. We need folks like you around. Show yourself grace. We Love you.' 

Also on Saturday, police were seen arriving at Carrot Top's Las Vegas home, following the comedian's reported suicide attempt the previous day. 

Thompson tried to take his own life on Friday just hours before a scheduled comedy show at Las Vegas' Luxor Hotel and Casino, TMZ reported.

The incident is said to have taken place in 'the Las Vegas area' and Thompson was rushed to a nearby hospital, sources claimed. His performance that evening was subsequently canceled.

On Saturday, an eyewitness observed three police cars parked outside Thompson's Las Vegas residence and provided photos of them to TMZ.

It was claimed shortly thereafter that Thompson's scheduled show at the Luxor on Saturday night has also been called off, as he remains in the hospital, sources said.

Thompson's latest social media post was shared on Thursday, and promoted his scheduled Friday show. 

He posted a 2018 poster of himself posing against an orange utility terrain vehicle and added the caption, 'Just your average Thursday commute to the Luxor. TBT.' 

Thompson, known for his high-energy prop routines, rose to prominence in the 90s.

Nearly one year ago, in November 2025, he sparked concern from fans when he was spotted looking disheveled while at a Las Vegas grocery store.

An insider later commented to the Daily Mail, 'He didn't ever think he was going to be photographed shopping, so he let his guard down – [he was] not in any makeup or anything.'

In a 2022 interview with Metal Life Magazine, Thompson spoke about his clean lifestyle.

He insisted, 'I'm completely sober. I don't smoke marijuana and I never have. I don't think I have been drunk since high school, literally.

'I have friends like Gene Simmons, he's never had a drop of booze – zero. I'm not that pure. I definitely have a little Crown on the rocks right before a show.'

After a show, he said he comes home, watches TV and has a 'glass of red wine.'

'I'm definitely not the drug guy. I'm actually more of a nerd than anything else,' he told the outlet.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org