West End; New York City. At that point, the headlights of a car could be seen bearing down on Vereen, who was sprawled on the highway with severe internal and head injuries, as well as a broken leg. He later told the operator: ″He’s breathing, but he’s not in good shape. They ultimately divorced in 2012. Ben shared four children with Nancy, four daughters named Malika Vereen, Karon Vereen, Naja Vereen and Kabara Vereen. ″Oh man, there’s a car coming. Ben Vereen, the legendary star of both stage and screen, has long made it a mission to inspire others through the healing power of the arts. Vereen Jr.'s death isn’t the first … In the late '80s Vereen was emotionally drained after the death of his daughter, and contemplated suicide. Both Ben Vereen’s daughter, Naja, was killed when a minivan driven by her mother was crushed by a tractor toppled on a highway ramp. Ben Vereen in “Pippin” (Photo by Martha Swope/Courtesy of the NYPL Archives) Besides winning the Tony for his performance in the original production of Pippin, Vereen has appeared in the musicals Jesus Christ Superstar, Grind and most recently Wicked. Foster, a Grammy-winning composer and producer who has collaborated with Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson, has been in seclusion since the crash. A sister of performer Ben Vereen was suffering from an ectopic pregnancy when she collapsed while in custody in a county jail with a recent history of inmate deaths. Cabaret; Off-Broadway; Off-Off-Broadway; Dance; Opera; Classical Music In 1992, he had several accidents with his car. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Skip to footer site map. Few entertainers today are as accomplished or versatile as Ben Vereen. ″OK, I don’t want you to endanger yourself,″ the operator said. He ended up with many serious injuries. Rescue workers took 3 1/2 hours Wednesday to remove the body of Naja Vereen of Saddle River from the flattened remains of the van, according to state police. Legendary actor, singer, and dancer Ben Vereen shares his rehabilitation experiences with Boston University Sargent College students. Vereen was walking on Pacific Coast Highway shortly after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday when he was struck by Foster’s Chevrolet Suburban. Vereen lost his 16-year-old daughter, Naja Vereen, is a horrifying car accident in 1987 Vereen’s then-wife, Nancy, escaped the deadly accident unscathed. Musician David Foster looks back on his car accident with Broadway superstar, Ben Vereen, and how it inadvertently saved his life. Ben Vereen Hit by Car and Critically Hurt. He was not charged. ... Ma’am I hit him, I must have been doing 45 mph.″. The driver of the vehicle told deputies of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department that he had seen a man walking in the roadway and had slammed on his brakes and swerved toward the right shoulder to try to avoid hitting him. Ben Vereen is a dynamo. The hospital has been deluged with hundreds of calls and telegrams from well-wishers that included Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, Janet Jackson, Red Skelton and Richard Pryor, said Elbaum. Vereen, 45, underwent four hours of surgery Tuesday and he has been listed in critical condition at the UCLA Medical Center’s intensive care unit, said spokesman Richard Elbaum. From 1966 to 1974, Ben Vereen was married to a woman named Andrea Townsley. In prior interviews with People Magazine and Ability Magazine, the details and … Watchlist. Vereen was walking on Pacific Coast Highway shortly after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday when he was struck by Foster’s Chevrolet Suburban. I can’t believe this.″. The miniseries was among the most talked-about television productions of the year, and Vereen leveraged his resulting high profile with the variety special "Ben Vereen, His Roots" (ABC, 1978). ... I’m gonna be in big trouble, I know. ″They’re here. The entertainer Ben Vereen was critically injured early today when he was hit by a utility vehicle as he walked along a dark stretch of highway near his beach home in Malibu. In a recording of the 911 call placed to the California Highway Patrol, a stunned Foster pleaded over his cellular telephone for an ambulance to help Vereen, who was knocked 130 feet after impact. Actor Ben Vereen attends the 2017 Tony Awards. This afternoon he was listed in critical condition with major head and internal injuries and a broken leg. Re-teaming with Bob Fosse, Vereen hit movie theaters the following year in Fosse's semi-autobiographical, Oscar-nominated feature "All That Jazz" (1979). Minutes later, Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics arrived. Vereen is perhaps best known for his performance in the miniseries ″Roots″ and his Tony-winning role in Broadway’s ″Pippin.″. The eldest son and namesake of Tony Award-winning actor Ben Vereen has died under unknown circumstances at age 55, two weeks after he went missing. Next week he’ll be bringing his message of inspiration and health to Seattle as he’ll be the keynote speaker for the Northwest Kidney Centers’ 15 th annual Breakfast of Hope fundraiser on May 16 th . Mr. Vereen, perhaps best known for his roles in the Broadway musical "Pippin" and as Chicken George in the television miniseries "Roots," was struck by a Chevrolet Suburban about 2:45 A.M. on the Pacific Coast Highway 20 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. Ben Vereen : biography October 10, 1946 – Personal life Vereen has appeared as a public speaker and humanitarian speaking on such topics as Black history, overcoming adversity, and the importance of continuing education. In an inspiring and motivating presentation, Vereen share his personal journey and the importance of the rehabilitation he received. A hospital spokesman, Richard Elbaum, said Mr. Vereen was "conscious and communicative" and was resting in intensive care. He’s been singing, dancing and acting his way through a dazzling career, earning a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway musical Pippin and rave reviews for his roles in the television mini-series Roots and the program Ellis Island. The driver, whose name was not disclosed, was not injured. Almost killed in a 1992 Pacific Coast Highway accident, which occurred when he was walking back to … Posted On : May 4, 2015. ″I mean, he looks like maybe he’s a homeless person.″. NEWARK, N.J. (AP) _ The 16-year-old daughter of entertainer Ben Vereen was killed when a mini- van driven by her mother was crushed by a tractor-trailer that toppled on a highway ramp, police said. 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