SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / A news summary : The Local Review / DEVELOPMENTS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Actor Martin Lawrence Continues to Improve
Actor Martin Lawrence was in serious but stable condition and breathing without a ventilator Tuesday as he continued his recovery from a coma triggered by a weight-loss jog in summer heat.
Lawrence, who had been near death after suffering heat exhaustion and hyperthermia on Aug. 22, was “alert and responding to commands,” according to a statement from his publicist, Kim Jones.
“He’s doing great,” she said Tuesday. His prognosis was changed from guarded to good.
Doctors at Los Robles Regional Medical Center had said Lawrence might have to undergo dialysis to remove excess protein trapped in his kidneys when his body overheated, but Jones said the procedure wasn’t necessary.
Lawrence, 34, was trying to lose weight for a movie role when he went for a jog near his Westlake Village home in 100-degree weather. His girlfriend found him collapsed on the doorstep an hour later and called 911.
Lawrence’s temperature had risen to more than 107 degrees when he reached the hospital.
The actor starred in the Fox comedy “Martin” from 1992-96 and has appeared in films including “Life,” “Bad Boys” and “Nothing to Lose.”
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