Joey Kovar
Joseph Eugene "Joey" Kovar (July 24, 1983 – August 17, 2012) was an American model and reality television star and bodybuilder who first appeared in the twentieth season of MTV's The Real World, The Real World: Hollywood, in 2008. In 2010, Kovar appeared as a patient on the VH1 reality show, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, for treatment of addictions to alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamines, and steroids.
Early life
Kovar was a native of Evergreen Park, Illinois, where he continued to reside after appearing on The Real World: Hollywood and other shows. He battled addiction to both drugs and alcohol before appearing in television.
Career
Kovar, a former personal trainer, was discovered at age 24 by a talent scout on a Chicago street. In 2008, Kovar was cast in the twentieth season of the long-running MTV series, The Real World. Kovar believed he was cast for the The Real World: Hollywood due to his personality and openness about past partying and drug use. In a 2009 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Kovar elaborated, "We kind of have an 'I don't give a [bleep]' attitude. What you see is what you get...People want edgy. People want attitude. People want in-your-face, and that's what Chicagoans bring. The attitude we have is what's going to draw the ratings." Kovar became increasingly addicted to drugs and alcohol while filming The Real World. Due to erratic behavior and substance abuse, he was asked to leave the show to pursue treatment.
