{{Short description|American media personality and physician (born 1958)}} {{Redirect-distinguish|Dr. Drew|Charles R. Drew|Dr. Dre}} {{Distinguish|Drew Binsky}} {{Use American English|date=March 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox presenter |name = Drew Pinsky |image = Dr. Drew by Randy Stewart 2.jpg |caption =Pinsky in 2009 |birth_name = David Drew Pinsky |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|9|4}} |birth_place = Pasadena, California, U.S. |alma_mater = Amherst College (BA)<br>University of Southern California (MD) |show = ''Loveline'' |station = KROQ-FM<br>Various (syndicated) |network = Westwood One |show2 = ''Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew''<br>''Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew''<br>''Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House''<br>''Dr. Drew On Call'' |network2 = VH1<br>MTV<br>HLN |spouse = {{marriage|Susan Sailer|1991}}<ref>[http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/drew-pinsky/bio/212372 "Drew Pinsky: Biography"]. ''TV Guide''. Retrieved January 15, 2013.</ref> |children = 3 |parents = Helene Stanton<br>Morton Pinsky |website = {{URL|drdrew.com|Official website}} }} '''David Drew Pinsky''' (born September 4, 1958),<ref name=Yahoo/> commonly known as '''Dr. Drew''', is an American media personality, internist, and addiction medicine specialist. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio talk show ''Loveline'' from the show's inception in 1984 until its end in 2016. On television, he hosted the talk show ''Dr. Drew On Call'' on HLN and the daytime series ''Lifechangers'' on The CW. In addition, he served as producer and starred in the VH1 show ''Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew'', and its spinoffs ''Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew'', ''Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House''. Pinsky currently hosts several podcasts, including ''Ask Dr. Drew'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ask Dr. Drew {{!}} Dr. Drew Official Website - drdrew.com |url=https://drdrew.com/ask/ |access-date=February 4, 2024|website=Dr. Drew {{!}} Official Website |language=en-US}}</ref> ''The Dr. Drew Podcast'' on the PodcastOne Network,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pinsky |first=Dr Drew |title=PodcastOne: The Dr. Drew Podcast |url=https://podcastone.com/Dr-Drew-Show |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=podcastone.com |language=en}}</ref> and ''The Adam and Drew Show'' with his former ''Loveline'' co-host Adam Carolla. From February 2019 - December 2023, he hosted ''Dr. Drew After Dark'' on the Your Mom's House network.
Pinsky is a former staff member at the Department of Chemical Dependency Services at Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena, California,<ref>{{cite news|author=Lin, Rong-Gong II|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/03/dr-drew-pinsky-leaves-las-encinas-hospital-which-faces-renewed-scrutiny.html |title=Dr. Drew Pinsky leaves Las Encinas Hospital, which faces renewed scrutiny|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021232859/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/03/dr-drew-pinsky-leaves-las-encinas-hospital-which-faces-renewed-scrutiny.html|archive-date=October 21, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> and Huntington Memorial Hospital. He currently maintains a private internal medicine practice in South Pasadena.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://search.dca.ca.gov/details/8002/G/55092/ad642a3c48ba208480dd06e0677f960b | title = Drew Pinsky Medical License Verification| access-date= April 7, 2020 }}</ref>
==Early life== Pinsky was born September 4, 1958 in Pasadena, California,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/pinsky-drew-1958|work=Encyclopedia.com|title=Pinsky, Drew 1958-|publisher=Cengage|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250703234353/https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/pinsky-drew-1958|archive-date=July 3, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> to Helene Stanton (née Eleanor Mae Stansbury; 1925–2017), a singer and actress who played a supporting part in the 1955 film ''The Big Combo'', and Morton Pinsky (1926–2009), a physician whose parents immigrated to the United States from Ukraine.<ref name=bookref1>Pinsky, Drew; Pinsky Todd Gold. ''Cracked: Putting Broken Lives Together Again: A Doctor's Story'', New York: Regan Books. 2004. p. 38</ref> Pinsky's father was Jewish,<ref>{{Cite web|last= Sichel |first= Jared |title= By any medium necessary, Dr. Drew, celebrity M.D., treats America's ailments |work=Jewish Journal|date= April 2, 2015 |url=http://jewishjournal.com/culture/lifestyle/169938/ |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214235704/https://jewishjournal.com/culture/169938/|archive-date=December 14, 2024}}</ref><ref name=Yahoo>{{cite web|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/person/drew-pinsky/biography.html|title=Drew Pinsky – Biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014231938/https://movies.yahoo.com/person/drew-pinsky/biography.html |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |work= Yahoo! Movies|url-status=dead}}</ref> while he described his mother as coming from a "highly Victorian upper-middle-class family in Philadelphia."<ref name=bookref1/> After graduating from Polytechnic School in 1976, Pinsky studied biology at Amherst College, graduating in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts.<ref name=Yahoo/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amherst.edu/aboutamherst/magazine/bookclub/pastfeatures/mirroreffect|title=Amherst Reads Feature Book|date=July 2009|work=Amherst College|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325142906/https://www.amherst.edu/aboutamherst/magazine/bookclub/pastfeatures/mirroreffect |archive-date=March 25, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> He then attended the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, graduating in 1984 with a Doctor of Medicine degree.<ref name=license>{{cite web |url=http://www2.dca.ca.gov/pls/wllpub/WLLQRYNA$LCEV2.QueryView?P_LICENSE_NUMBER=55092&P_LTE_ID=790 |title=Medical Board of California, License Holder |access-date=February 6, 2009 |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719133753/http://www2.dca.ca.gov/pls/wllpub/WLLQRYNA$LCEV2.QueryView?P_LICENSE_NUMBER=55092&P_LTE_ID=790 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He served his residency in internal medicine at USC County Hospital and became chief resident at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, and later moved into private practice.<ref>{{cite news|title = Relationships and Health with Drew Pinsky, M.D.| newspaper=MedicineNet |url = http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=53888|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714065759/http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=53888|archive-date=July 14, 2011}}</ref>
==Career== {{blockquote|My goal was always to be part of pop culture and relevant to young people, to interact with the people they hold in high esteem.|Dr. Drew Pinsky|''The New York Times'', February 2008.<ref name="nyt2008-02"/>}} As ''The New York Times'' described it in February 2008, Pinsky's dual career in medicine and the mass media has required him to "navigat[e] a precarious balance of professionalism and salaciousness."<ref name="nyt2008-02">Jesella, Kara (February 3, 2008). [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/fashion/03drew.html?pagewanted=print "Detox for the Camera. Doctor's Order!"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>
===Radio work=== {{Main|Loveline}} In 1984 while still a medical student, Pinsky started appearing in "Ask a Surgeon", a segment of a Sunday night KROQ-FM show hosted by Jim "Poorman" Trenton and "Swedish" Egil Aalvik.<ref name="loveline">[http://www.lovelineshow.com/pg/jsp/loveline/abouttheshow.jsp About the Show] from the ''Loveline'' website</ref> "Ask the Surgeon" soon combined with "Loveline", another Sunday night segment, into a show of its own, co-hosted by Trenton and Pinsky. ''Loveline'' went national in 1995, and the television version launched on MTV the following year, hosted by Pinsky and Adam Carolla.
The exposure on both radio and television made Pinsky the "Gen-X answer to Ruth Westheimer [Dr. Ruth], with an AIDS-era, pro-safe-sex message."<ref name="nyt2008-02"/> The MTV show ran for four years, while the radio show continued until April 2016 with cohost Mike Catherwood.
On November 27, 2007, Pinsky began ''Dr. Drew Live'', another nationally syndicated talk radio show where he focused on a wider range of health issues. It originated from KGIL in Los Angeles, originally airing weekdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm PT<ref>[http://www.ocregister.com/column/radio-station-nov-1928016-audience-drive. "On the radio: Dr. Drew Pinsky adds KGIL to his practice"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211171251/http://www.ocregister.com/column/radio-station-nov-1928016-audience-drive. |date=December 11, 2007 }}, ''Orange County Register'', November 22, 2007</ref> The show was canceled in December 2008.
On January 5, 2015, Pinsky launched a new weekday program, "Dr. Drew Midday Live with Mike Catherwood", on KABC in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kabc.com/common/page.php?pt%3DDr.+Drew+Midday+Live+with+Mike+Catherwood%26id%3D36221%26is_corp%3D0 |title=TalkRadio 790 KABC - Dr. Drew Midday Live with Mike Catherwood |access-date=2014-12-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219215034/http://www.kabc.com/common/page.php?pt=Dr.+Drew+Midday+Live+with+Mike+Catherwood&id=36221&is_corp=0 |archive-date=2014-12-19 }}</ref> Leeann Tweeden became the co-host of the show starting on January 7, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=KABC/Los Angeles Shuffles Lineup, Puts Ben Shapiro In PM Drive, John Phillips And Jillian Barberie In Mornings |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/182901/kabc-los-angeles-shuffles-lineup-puts-ben-shapiro- |website=www.allaccess.com |access-date=23 July 2019}}</ref>
On April 21, 2016, Pinsky announced ''Loveline'' would wrap up on April 28, 2016. Adam Carolla re-joined him as co-host for the final show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kroq.radio.com/|title=The World Famous KROQ|website=The World Famous KROQ|access-date=March 23, 2019}}</ref>
===Television=== thumb|left|150px|Pinsky in 2009 Pinsky's first television appearance was as a contestant on ''Wheel of Fortune'' in 1984, though he did not win.<ref name="Wheel">Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/c2SfYAOS31A Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210309061711/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2SfYAOS31A Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Cite web |title=Dr. Drew's appearance on Wheel of Fortune |author=Ellen DeGeneres Show |work=YouTube |date=January 11, 2013 |access-date=18 April 2020 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2SfYAOS31A}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He also served as "health and human relations expert" on the first season of the U.S. TV series ''Big Brother'' in 2000.
He has also hosted several shorter educational television series, starting with ''Strictly Sex with Dr. Drew'', which ran for 10 episodes on the Discovery Health Channel, followed by '''''Strictly Dr. Drew''''' which addressed everyday health concerns. He later hosted the MTV series ''Sex...with Mom and Dad'' (2008–2009).
In 2008, Pinsky starred in ''Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew'', a reality television show which involves celebrities in a drug rehabilitation facility. The show was filmed at Pasadena Recovery Center, with Pinsky serving as the resident medical expert. The series premiered January 10, 2008 on VH-1 and was renewed for multiple seasons. A follow-up show to ''Celebrity Rehab'' with many of the same celebrities was ''Sober House'', which began its first season in January 2009, and included celebrities from the first two seasons of ''Celebrity Rehab'' continuing their recovery in a sober living facility.<ref>Liner, Elaine. [http://www.jackmyers.com/commentary/elaine-liner/31336514.html "Dr. Drew, Back for Celeb Rehab 2 and Talking Sex, Drugs and the New Media Meanness"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206040007/http://www.jackmyers.com/commentary/elaine-liner/31336514.html |date=December 6, 2008 }} MediaBizBloggers.com; October 20, 2008</ref> In November 2009, Pinsky starred in a spinoff of ''Celebrity Rehab'', ''Sex Rehab with Dr.Drew'', which depicted celebrities being treated for sexual addiction over the course of three weeks at the Pasadena Recovery Center.
In a 2011 episode of Lifechangers, Dr. Drew brought on a 16-year-old Courtney Stodden and conducted an on-air ultrasound of her breasts to prove Stodden's claim she didn't have plastic surgery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CHEN |first=JOYCE |title=Courtney Stodden proves her breasts are real on 'Dr. Drew's Lifechangers' via ultrasound |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/courtney-stodden-proves-breasts-real-dr-drew-lifechangers-ultrasound-article-1.974092 |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=nydailynews.com|date=November 7, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=2021-05-10 |title=The Crucifixion of Courtney Stodden |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-crucifixion-of-courtney-stodden |access-date=2022-04-19}}</ref> The ultrasound was conducted by Dr. John Diaz, a plastic surgeon.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-11-08 |title=Dr. Drew: Teen bride's breasts are real |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2011/11/08/dr-drew-teen-brides-breasts-are-real/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}}</ref>
Pinsky makes guest appearances on various news programs where he usually gives his observations on the relationship between controlled substances and high-profile individuals. He has frequently given his views on the deaths of people such as Anna Nicole Smith, Heath Ledger and Michael Jackson, arguing that their fates should set examples of the seriousness of misusing drugs.<ref>Shanks, Jon. [https://archive.today/20120905053808/http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=22&num=18777 "Dr. Drew: Don't Sweep Heath Ledger Under the Rug"] ''The National Ledger''; February 8, 2008</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Holson|first1=Laura M.|title=Dr. Drew Pinsky, Physician and Media Star|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/fashion/dr-drew-pinsky-physician-and-media-star.html|work=The New York Times|date=7 June 2013}}</ref>
Pinsky has acted in several TV appearances (either portraying himself or a fictional character), ''Space Ghost Coast to Coast'', ''Dawson's Creek'',<ref>Dawson's Creek, Season 6, Episode 19, "Lovelines"</ref> ''Family Guy''.<ref>''Family Guy'', Season 4, Episode 7, "Brian the Bachelor"</ref> ''The Adam Carolla Project'', ''Minoriteam'',<ref>''Minoriteam'', Season 1, Episode 16, "Tremendous Class"</ref> ''Robot Chicken'',<ref>''Robot Chicken'', Season 2, Episode 20, "Book of Corrine". Sketches: [http://video.adultswim.com/robot-chicken/robot-chicken-taken-over.html?cid=vplayer_robot-chicken_robot-chicken-taken-over ''Robot Chicken'' Taken Over!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723141853/http://video.adultswim.com/robot-chicken/robot-chicken-taken-over.html?cid=vplayer_robot-chicken_robot-chicken-taken-over |date=July 23, 2011 }} and [http://video.adultswim.com/robot-chicken/jasper-the-douche-bag-ghost.html?cid=vplayer_robot-chicken_jasper-the-douche-bag-ghost Jasper, the Douchebag Ghost] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723141906/http://video.adultswim.com/robot-chicken/jasper-the-douche-bag-ghost.html?cid=vplayer_robot-chicken_jasper-the-douche-bag-ghost |date=July 23, 2011 }}</ref> ''My Gym Partner's a Monkey'',<ref>My Gym Partner's a Monkey, Season 3, Episode 39, "Butt of Jake"</ref> ''Code Monkeys'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Dr. Drew Pinsky Biography|url=http://www.buddytv.com/info/dr-drew-pinsky-info.aspx|publisher=BuddyTV|access-date=June 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120181731/http://www.buddytv.com/info/dr-drew-pinsky-info.aspx|archive-date=2014-11-20|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ''The Midnight Gospel''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Review: 'Adventure Time' meets a metaphyiscal podcast in Netflix's extraordinary new 'toon|website=Los Angeles Times |date=April 20, 2020 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-04-20/netflix-midnight-gospel-adventure-time|access-date=April 20, 2020}}</ref> Pinsky also appeared in the films ''New York Minute'' and ''Wild Hogs''.
In early 2011, Pinsky began hosting his own show, ''Dr. Drew On Call'' on HLN that focuses on news involving health and addiction topics.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.tvguide.com/News/Dr-Drew-HLN-1026176.aspx|title= Dr. Drew Lands Prime-Time Series on HLN|publisher=TVGuide.com|access-date=November 30, 2010}}</ref> On August 26, 2016, HLN and Pinsky announced that the show's last episode would be September 22 of that year.<ref>{{cite news|title="Dr. Drew on Call" to end 5-year run on HLN next month|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dr-drew-on-call-to-end-5-year-run-on-hln-next-month/|agency=The Associated Press.|work=CBS News|date=August 26, 2016}}</ref>
On October 9, 2019, Pinsky competed in season two of ''The Masked Singer'' as "Eagle".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/10/09/the-masked-singer-recap-eagle-celebrity-revealed/ |title=Eagle revealed! The Masked Singer uncovers latest celebrity contestant |first1=Rachel |last1=Yang |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=2019-10-23}}</ref>
In 2023, Pinsky appeared on the reality TV series ''Special Forces: World's Toughest Test''. He was eliminated in the first episode due to a medical problem.<ref>{{cite web | last=Sinnott | first=Henry | title=Dr. Drew Pinsky Medically Removed From New Reality Show | website=Heavy.com | date=January 5, 2023 | url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/teen-mom/dr-drew-pinsky-medically-removed/ | access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref>
===Other work=== thumb|Pinsky (second from right) at the DEA Opioid Awareness Youth Summit in 2018 In 1999, Pinsky co-founded an Internet-based community and advice site for teenagers called DrDrew.com with Curtis Giesen. Among their early backers was Garage.com.<ref>Wang, Andy. [http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/commerce/1612.html E-Commerce News: News: "Heavyweight Investors Back Loveline's Doctor Drew"]; ecommercetimes.com; October 1, 1999</ref> DrDrew.com soon ran out of funding, and the company was sold to Sherwood Partners Inc., a corporate restructuring firm, which sold the remnants to DrKoop.com in November 2000.<ref>Boulton, Clint. [http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news/article.php/4_501891 "Is drkoop.com Out of Sick Bay for Good?"]. internetnews.com. November 2, 2000</ref> Pinsky re-acquired the site circa 2013 and began using it for general information about his books, radio and TV shows, as well as hosting his independent podcast, ''The Dr. Drew Podcast''.<ref name="drdr_Dr.D">{{Cite web | title = Dr. Drew On Call, Loveline & more | work = Dr. Drew {{!}} Official Website | access-date = 2015-02-25 | url = http://drdrew.com/ }}</ref> In September 2012, Pinsky announced on ''The Adam Carolla Show'' that he will be doing a podcast on the Carolla Digital network.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.adamcarolla.com/dr-drew-bonus-episode-7|title= Adam Carolla Show|access-date= November 23, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121126234641/http://adamcarolla.com/dr-drew-bonus-episode-7/|archive-date= 2012-11-26|url-status= dead}}</ref>
In 2003, Pinsky authored ''Cracked: Putting Broken Lives Together Again,'' recounting his experiences as the medical director of the Department of Chemical Dependency Services at the Las Encinas Hospital drug rehabilitation clinic in Pasadena, California. He also contributed to the book ''When Painkillers Become Dangerous: What Everyone Needs to Know About OxyContin and Other Prescription Drugs,'' published in 2004.
In addition to his media appearances, Pinsky speaks at college campuses and other public venues.<ref>Hoehn, Melanie. [http://www.semissourian.com/story/1609640.html "'Loveline' host Dr. Drew Pinsky to speak at Southeast"] ''Southeast Missourian''; February 10, 2010</ref><ref>Zerofsky, Elisabeth. [http://www.campusprogress.org/articles/the_loveline_conservative "The Loveline Conservative"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612142049/http://www.campusprogress.org/articles/the_loveline_conservative |date=June 12, 2011 }} Campus Progress; July 23, 2007</ref> When Adam Carolla and Pinsky were teamed as hosts of ''Loveline'', Carolla and Pinsky spoke at colleges.<ref>''Loveline'' 1999-02-14</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lovelineshow.com/pg/jsp/loveline/abouttheshow.jsp|title=Loveline: About the Show|access-date=8 October 2010|quote=Together, [Carolla and Pinsky] refined the format of the show, and capitalized on their growing popularity with speaking tours}}</ref><ref>''Loveline'' 2003-03-06: Joshua Jackson</ref>
Pinsky was the voice of 1-800-GET-THIN, advocating lap band surgery on radio ads and in a recording played for those who called 1-800-GET-THIN.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hensley |first=Scott |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/12/13/143657634/fda-tells-weight-loss-surgery-centers-to-pull-misleading-ads |title=FDA Tells Weight-Loss Surgery Centers To Pull Misleading Ads |publisher=NPR |date=2011-12-13 |access-date=2014-08-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/health/la-xpm-2011-dec-14-la-fi-lap-band-fda-20111214-story.html |title=FDA accuses 1-800-GET-THIN of using misleading Lap-Band ads|work=Los Angeles Times|date=2011-12-14 |access-date=2014-08-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2011/12/dr-drew-1-800-get-thin.html |title=Dr. Drew won't talk about 1-800-GET-THIN endorsement |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2011-12-15 |access-date=2014-08-20}}</ref>
He also appeared with his dogs in a PETA ad campaign promoting the spaying and neutering of pets.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/11/dr-drews-peta-campaign-ad_n_1766482.html "Dr. Drew's PETA Campaign Advocates To Spay and Neuter Pets"]. ''The Huffington Post''. 11 August 2012.</ref>
Pinsky also narrated for the 2014 documentary "Divorce Corp" and "Teen Species".
In early 2019, Pinsky started an online podcast "Dr Drew after Dark". The podcast is hosted at Tom Segura's studio "Studio Jeans".
Pinsky was featured in the first episode Netflix series "The Midnight Gospel".
On September 10, 2020, it was announced that Dr. Drew Pinsky joined Aditx Therapeutics as Senior Advisor to AditxtScore for Scoring the Immune System.<ref>"https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/09/10/2091756/0/en/Physician-and-Media-Personality-Dr-Drew-Pinsky-Dr-Drew-Joins-Aditx-Therapeutics-as-Senior-Advisor-to-AditxtScore-for-Scoring-the-Immune-System.html" ''GlobeNewswire'' 16 September 2020.</ref> In October, he first appeared on the ''Frenemies'' podcast,<ref>H3 Podcast (27 October 2020). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnLGwc4wivw "Couples Therapy With Dr. Drew – Frenemies #7"]. ''YouTube''.</ref> and appeared on the podcast again in December.<ref>H3 Podcast (16 December 2020). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jByWaMDVF1w "The Fate Of Frenemies With Dr. Drew – Frenemies #14"]. ''YouTube''.</ref>
===Honors=== Asteroid 4536 Drewpinsky is named in his honor.<ref>[http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=4536 "4536 Drewpinsky (1987 DA6)"]. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NASA.</ref>
Pinsky was honored with the Larry Stewart Leadership and Inspiration Award at the 12th Annual PRISM Awards in 2008.<ref>Bollinger, Henri (April 24, 2008). [http://www.eiconline.org/resources/mediacenter/pressreleases.php "Television's Dr. Drew Receives Larry Stewart Leadership Award"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705014023/http://www.eiconline.org/resources/mediacenter/pressreleases.php |date=July 5, 2008 }}. Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.</ref>
==Controversies== {{Criticism section|date=May 2025}}
===COVID-19===
Between February and March 2020, Pinsky made a series of statements concerning the COVID-19 outbreak where he downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic, stating that it was not as bad as the flu, and suggested that it was a "press-induced panic".<ref name="USAToday_COVID19">{{cite news |last1=Associated Press |title=Dr. Drew Pinsky apologizes for coronavirus comments: 'I got it wrong' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/04/07/coronavirus-dr-drew-pinsky-addresses-covid-19-criticism/2960027001/ |access-date=April 10, 2020 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=USA Today |date=April 7, 2020}}</ref> Pinsky apologized in April 2020, and he urged people to follow the advice of Anthony Fauci.<ref name="USAToday_COVID19" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Mark |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/celebrity/dr-drew-apologizes-was-wrong-about-coronavirus-threat/ar-BB12cbT1 |title=Dr. Drew apologizes, was 'wrong' about coronavirus threat |access-date=2020-04-06 |quote=Dr. Drew said he was correct in urging people to follow the advice of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.}}</ref>
===L.A. County homeless commission===
Pinsky has raised concerns for several years regarding homelessness in Los Angeles County and has been critical of how the government has handled it, stating: {{cquote|For some reason, the government has taken the position that this is a housing problem, which, of course, housing is a piece of this, but for most—and by most I mean the vast majority of people on the streets—their condition makes them unwilling or unwanting to go indoors. So, even when they correct the housing problem, they're still going to have the same problem on the streets.<ref name=contagion>{{Cite web |title=Sounding Off: Dr. Drew on How LA's Homeless Problem Is a Public Health Emergency |author=Alexandra Ward |work=Contagion Live |date=1 July 2019 |access-date=22 April 2021 |url= https://www.contagionlive.com/view/sounding-off-dr-drew-on-how-las-homeless-problem-is-a-public-health-emergency}}</ref>}} He has also been critical of certain aspects of the Lanterman–Petris–Short Act, in that it limits the ability of authorities to intervene when mentally ill persons are at risk of death due to being unable to care for their own needs.<ref name=contagion/> Pinsky said in an interview that he had correctly predicted a typhus outbreak in 2019 that occurred in the county as a result of rodents attracted to homeless encampments.<ref name=contagion/>
Pinsky was nominated to a local Los Angeles homeless commission by Kathryn Barger, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in April 2021. He faced criticism from local homeless rights advocates and a Twitter campaign. While supervisor appointments to local boards are rarely controversial, more than 100 people submitted public comments asking supervisors not to approve Pinsky. The board received less than five public comments in support of his nomination.<ref name=latimes_Nomi>{{Cite web |title=Nomination of 'Dr. Drew' for homeless commission is pulled after outcry |author=Jaclyn Cosgrove |work=Los Angeles Times |date=19 April 2021 |access-date=22 April 2021 |url= https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-04-19/nomination-of-dr-drew-for-homeless-commission-pulled-after-outcry}}</ref> Critics claimed that Pinsky had overreported the number of homeless people with mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders. Others, such as homeless advocate and charity leader Rev. Andy Bales, defended Pinsky and called the hashtag campaign and public commenting an "echo chamber".<ref name="msn._Dr.D">{{Cite web |title=Dr. Drew Pinsky Responds to Advocates Who Opposed Nomination to LA Homeless Commission |author=Carly Mayberry |work=MSN |date=21 April 2021 |access-date=23 April 2021 |url= https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/dr-drew-pinsky-responds-to-advocates-who-opposed-nomination-to-la-homeless-commission/ar-BB1fRRTd}}</ref> Pinsky's nomination was ultimately withdrawn.<ref name=latimes_Nomi/>
===Wellbutrin===
Pinsky has received criticism from several sources<ref name="Wellbutrin_WSJ">{{cite news |last1=Whalen |first1=Jeanne |title='Dr. Drew' Was Paid by Glaxo - Radio Host Extolled Virtues of Antidepressant After Attending Events for Firm |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303933404577505032006855076 |access-date=24 January 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=Dow Jones & Company |date=July 3, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Wellbutrin_CBS">{{cite web |last1=Michelle |first1=Castillo |title=Dr. Drew Pinsky responds to allegations he received GlaxoSmithKline payments |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dr-drew-pinsky-responds-to-allegations-he-received-glaxosmithkline-payments/ |website=CBS News |date=July 5, 2012 |access-date=24 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="Wellbutrin_Atlantic">{{cite web |last1=Vox |first1=Ford |title=How Dr. Drew Sold His Cred to Big Pharma |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/07/how-dr-drew-sold-his-cred-to-big-pharma/259473/ |website=The Atlantic |date=July 6, 2012 |publisher=Emerson Collective}}</ref><ref name="Wellbutrin_NPR">{{cite web |last1=Hensley |first1=Scott |title=Glaxo Settlement Pulls Back Curtain On Drug Marketing |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/07/03/156192227/glaxo-settlement-pull-back-curtain-on-drug-marketing |website=NPR |date=July 3, 2012 |publisher=National Public Radio |access-date=24 January 2023}}</ref> for alleged conflict of interest in his promotion of the drug Wellbutrin.
According to an October 2011 government complaint against GlaxoSmithKline, Pinsky was the recipient in 1999 of two payments totaling $275,000 from Glaxo Wellcome (a company that would later merge into GlaxoSmithKline) to promote the company's drug Wellbutrin.<ref name="Wellbutrin_WSJ" /> Among other events, Pinsky made a 1999 appearance on the radio program 'David Essel - Alive!', discussing the sexual side effects of common SSRI medications and mentioned Wellbutrin as an example of depression medications that lack these side effects,<ref name="Wellbutrin_WSJ" /><ref name="Wellbutrin_CBS" /><ref name="Wellbutrin_NPR" /> (along with Serzone and Remeron, two medications from different manufacturers).<ref name="Wellbutrin_Atlantic" />
A transcript of this appearance and the invoice of the payment to Pinksy were later presented publicly as evidence during the criminal and civil actions against GlaxoSmithKline in 2012.<ref name="Wellbutrin_NPR" /> In response to an inquiry from the Wall Street Journal about the case and specific physicians including Pinsky, the company declined to comment on their financial relationship with specific doctors, but acknowledged that "during the period from January 1999 to December 2003, there were some occasions on which certain GSK sales representatives, speakers, and consultants promoted its antidepressant Wellbutrin to physicians for uses which were not FDA-approved in violation of federal law."<ref name="Wellbutrin_WSJ" /><ref name="Wellbutrin_CBS" /> Pinsky himself was not mentioned in the statement, and was never charged with wrongdoing by any court or medical ethics board. When asked about the topic, Pinsky stated:
{{Blockquote |text=In the late 90s I was hired to participate in a 2-year initiative discussing intimacy and depression which was funded by an educational grant by Glaxo Wellcome…Services for the non-branded campaign included town hall meetings, writings and multimedia activities in conjunction with the patient advocacy group the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (NDMDA). My comments were consistent with my clinical experience.<ref name="Wellbutrin_WSJ" /><ref name="Wellbutrin_CBS" /> }}
==Personal life== Pinsky married on July 21, 1991. He and his wife, Susan Sailer, had triplets Douglas, Jordan, and Paulina in November 1992.<ref>Sachs, Mark. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-feb-27-et-fave27-story.html "His prescription: lots of time spent with the family"], ''The Los Angeles Times'', February 27, 2009</ref><ref>Loveline, 1997-11-10, Pinsky mentions the triplets will turn five at midnight</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/60364497.html?dids=60364497:60364497&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+19%2C+1993&author=RENEE+TAWA&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=The+Doctor%27s+in+the+House+Radio%3A+On+%60Loveline%2C%27+scholarly+Dr.+Drew+dispenses+advice+on+sex%2C+drugs+and+heartache+to+teen-agers%2C+and+tolerates+his+crass+disc+jockey+pal.&pqatl=google|title=The Doctor's in the House Radio: On 'Loveline,' scholarly Dr. Drew dispenses advice on sex, drugs and heartache to teen-agers, and tolerates his crass disc jockey pal.|last=Tawa|first=Renee|date=1993-08-19|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=8 March 2010|archive-date=June 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615062515/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/60364497.html?dids=60364497:60364497&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+19%2C+1993&author=RENEE+TAWA&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=The+Doctor%27s+in+the+House+Radio%3A+On+%60Loveline%2C%27+scholarly+Dr.+Drew+dispenses+advice+on+sex%2C+drugs+and+heartache+to+teen-agers%2C+and+tolerates+his+crass+disc+jockey+pal.&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Pinsky lives in Pasadena, California. Interested in fitness since his early teens, he goes running<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Camelio |first1=Stephen |date=February 2010 |title=I'm a Runner: Dr. Drew Pinsky |journal= Runner's World |publisher=Rodale Inc.}}</ref> and does weight training regularly.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Thorpe |first1=Mark |date=August 2008 |title=The muscle doctrine |journal= Muscle & Fitness |publisher=Weider Publications}}</ref> In addition to his hobby of traveling,<ref name="loveline"/> he also enjoys singing opera, as his mother was a professional singer. Pinsky stated on the June 24, 2009, episode of ''Loveline'' that at one point, he was torn between practicing medicine and becoming a professional opera singer.<ref>''Loveline'' broadcast, June 24, 2009. As heard on KROQ-FM radio, Los Angeles.</ref> Pinsky stated that he auditioned for a celebrity singing show, but that the show passed on his appearance when he made it clear to producers that he could not sing pop songs but did perform an aria on ''Turn Ben Stein On''.<ref>[http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/drew-pinsky/credits/212372 "Drew Pinsky: Credits"]. ''TV Guide''. Retrieved January 15, 2013.</ref><ref>[https://tv.yahoo.com/contributor/826051/credits Drew Pinsky] at Yahoo! TV; Accessed July 14, 2010</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121102103409/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/288424/Drew-Pinsky/filmography "Drew Pinsky filmography"]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved July 14, 2010.</ref>
Pinsky's father, Morton, died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage on October 27, 2009.<ref name=Norris5>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/magazine/03Pinsky-t.html?pagewanted=2|last= Norris|first= Chris|title = Hitting Bottom|work = The New York Times|date = December 30, 2009|page= 2 of 6}}</ref> A title card at the end of the season 3 finale of ''Celebrity Rehab'' dedicated the episode to him. Pinsky's mother, Helene, died on June 7, 2017, at age 91.<ref name="pasa_Pasa">{{Cite web |url=http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/helene-pinsky-mother-of-dr-drew-pinsky-passes-away-at-91/ |title=Helene Pinsky, Mother of Dr. Drew Pinsky, Passes Away at 91 |website=Pasadena Now |access-date=2017-11-27 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041114/http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/helene-pinsky-mother-of-dr-drew-pinsky-passes-away-at-91/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Pinsky is a nonobservant Jew; he admits to abandoning most Jewish practices but claims to retain a continued desire to learn about the religion. He explains that religious as well as philosophical studies affect his medical practice and his speeches, and that his background places "an indirect coloring on every answer."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://media.www.mitzpeh.com/media/storage/paper967/news/2005/03/21/FeaturesjewsInTheNews/Jewish.Love.Expert.Helps.Curious.Students-2606563.shtml |title=Jewish love expert helps curious students |last1=Lazarus |first1=Samantha |last2=Raub |first2=Adena |date=March 21, 2005 |publisher=Mitzpeh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216115648/http://media.www.mitzpeh.com/media/storage/paper967/news/2005/03/21/FeaturesjewsInTheNews/Jewish.Love.Expert.Helps.Curious.Students-2606563.shtml |archive-date=February 16, 2009}}</ref>
In September 2013, Pinsky stated that he had recovered from prostate cancer surgery performed earlier that June and July, after which Pinsky did not require chemotherapy or radiation.<ref>Halperin, Shirley (September 24, 2013). [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dr-drew-reveals-prostate-cancer-635616 "Dr. Drew Reveals Prostate Cancer Battle: 'Without Surgery, I Would Have Died' (Q&A)"]. ''The Hollywood Reporter''.</ref> During episode 119 of his podcast Dr. Drew After Dark, aired on June 10, 2021, Pinsky said that his prostate cancer has recurred after it was discovered during routine bloodwork that his PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) level is elevated. He will go through Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in July 2021.
In a 2011 interview on ''Kevin and Bean'', Pinsky stated he would speak to any media outlet including TMZ and ''The National Enquirer'' but would not speak to the ''Los Angeles Times'', explaining "They distort, and they mislead, and they take things out of context. I really am stunned at how shoddy their journalism is, so I stopped talking to them."<ref>''Kevin and Bean'' interview, January 6, 2011</ref>
Politically, Pinsky considers himself libertarian, and has espoused more traditionally conservative views in recent years, such as the 'tyranny' of governmental overreach and the need for a "Liberty Party".<ref>{{cite web|last=Ostermeier|first=Eric|date=October 2, 2014|title=Are Dr. Drew and Adam Carolla Libertarians?|url=http://editions.lib.umn.edu/smartpolitics/2014/10/03/are-dr-drew-and-adam-carolla-l/|work=Smart Politics}}</ref>
Pinsky told Ryan Holiday he was studying philosopher Epictetus and recommended it to him. Holiday says this sparked his interest in stoic philosophy, later becoming a New York Times best-selling author on the subject.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ryanholiday.net/how-dr-drew-pinsky-changed-my-life/|title=How Dr. Drew Pinsky Changed My Life|date=February 1, 2016}}</ref>
==Selected filmography== {{BLP unreferenced section|date=August 2016}}
===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- |2004 |''New York Minute'' |Dr. Ryan |Credited as Dr. Drew Pinsky |- |2007 |''Wild Hogs'' |Doctor |Credited as Dr. Drew Pinsky |- | 2020 | ''Final Kill'' | Dr. Metzger | Credited as Drew Pinsky |- |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes |- | 1996–2000 | ''Loveline'' | Himself - host | |- | 1998–1999 | ''Hollywood Squares'' | Himself - panelist | 10 episodes |- | 1998 | ''Space Ghost Coast to Coast'' | Himself | Episode: "Terminal" |- | 1999 | ''Hang Time'' | Dr. Drew Pinsky | Episode: "Shall We Dance?" |- | 2000 | ''Big Brother'' | Himself | 66 episodes |- | 2003 | ''Dawson's Creek'' | Dr. Drew Pinsky | Episode: "Lovelines" |- | 2005 | ''Family Guy'' | The Dermatologist | Episode: "Brian the Bachelor" |- | 2006 | ''Robot Chicken'' | Leader-1 / Man | Voice; Episode: "Book of Corrine" |- | 2007 | ''Code Monkeys'' | Referee | Voice; Episode: "Wrassle Mania" |- | 2007–2021 | ''Entertainment Tonight'' | Himself | 43 episodes |- | 2008–2011 | ''Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew'' | Himself - host | 50 episodes |- | 2008–2017 | ''The View'' | Himself | 4 episodes |- | 2010–2016 | ''Teen Mom'' | Himself | 16 episodes |- | rowspan="2"| 2010–2021 | ''The Wendy Williams Show'' | Himself | 14 episodes |- | ''The Dr. Oz Show'' | Himself | 4 episodes |- | rowspan="2"| 2011–2016 | ''Teen Mom 2'' | Himself | 16 episodes |- | ''Dr. Drew On Call'' | Himself | 94 episodes |- | 2012 | ''Metalocalypse'' | Dr. Tormindbind Mickmildididindnin | Voice; Episode: "Fanklok" |- | 2015 | ''Drunk History'' | Judge | Episode: "Inventors" |- | 2015–2018 | ''Rachael Ray'' | Himself | 7 episodes |- | 2017–18 | ''How It Really Happened'' | Himself | 5 episodes |- | 2017–2020 | ''The Greg Gutfeld Show'' | Himself | 11 episodes |- | 2018–2020 | ''25 Words or Less'' | Himself | 6 episodes |- | 2019–Present | ''Ask Dr. Drew'' | Himself | 500 episodes |- |2019 |''The Masked Singer'' |Himself / "Eagle" |4 episodes |- | 2020 | ''The Simpsons'' | Himself | Episode: "Screenless" |- |2020 |''The Midnight Gospel'' |Glasses Man |Episode: "Taste of the King" |- | 2023 | ''Special Forces: World's Toughest Test'' | Himself | Episode: "Test of Character" |- |}
==Published work== ===Journal publications=== * {{cite journal |last= Pinsky |first= Drew |author2=S. Mark Young |author2-link=S. Mark Young |date=October 2006 |title= Narcissism and celebrity |journal= Journal of Research in Personality |volume= 40 |issue= 5 |pages= 463–71 |doi= 10.1016/j.jrp.2006.05.005 }} * {{cite journal |author=Noll AM, Pinsky D |title=Withdrawal effects of metoclopramide |journal=West. J. Med. |volume=154 |issue=6 |pages=726–28 |date=June 1991 |pmid=1877215 |pmc=1002885 }}
===Books=== * {{cite book | last = Pinsky | first = Dr. Drew |author2=with Robert Meyers |author3=William White | title = When Painkillers Become Dangerous: What Everyone Needs to Know about OxyContin and Other Prescription Drugs | publisher = Hazelden Publishing & Educational Services | year = 2004 | location = New York | isbn = 1-59285-107-X}} * {{cite book | last = Pinsky | first = Dr. Drew | title = Cracked: Putting Broken Lives Together Again | publisher = Regan Books | date = 2003 | location = New York | isbn = 0-06-009655-1}} * {{cite book |last = Pinsky |first = Dr. Drew |author2 = with Adam Carolla |author3 = Marshall Fine |author3-link = Marshall Fine |title = The Dr. Drew and Adam Book: A Survival Guide To Life and Love |publisher = Dell |date = 1998 |location = New York |isbn = 0-440-50836-3 |url = https://archive.org/details/drdrewadamboo00pins }} * {{cite book|chapter=Approaches to Management of Drug Abuse|author=Pinsky, Drew|author2=Heischober, Bruce S.|editor=Neinstein, Lawrence S.|title=Adolescent health care: a practical guide|edition=4th|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|location=Hagerstown, MD|year=2002|isbn=0-7817-2897-5}} * {{cite book |last = Pinsky |first = Dr. Drew |author2 = S. Mark Young |author2-link = S. Mark Young |title = The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism Is Seducing America |publisher = HarperCollins |location = London |year = 2009 |isbn = 978-0-06-158233-2 |url = https://archive.org/details/mirroreffecthowc00pins_0 }}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{cc}} * {{Official website}} * {{IMDb name|5314|Drew Pinsky}} * [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1444475 2003 radio interview] by Barbara Bogaev on ''Fresh Air''
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pinsky, Drew}} Category:1958 births Category:Alcohol abuse counselors Category:American addiction medicine doctors Category:American health and wellness writers Category:American people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent Category:American health and wellness podcasters Category:American relationships and sexuality writers Category:American male non-fiction writers Category:American talk radio hosts Category:American television talk show hosts Category:Amherst College alumni Category:Celebrity doctors Category:Contestants on American game shows Category:Jews from California Category:USC Keck School of Medicine alumni Category:Living people Category:Participants in American reality television series Category:University of Southern California faculty Category:CNN people Category:Loveline Category:Mass media people from Pasadena, California Category:Medical doctors from Pasadena, California