Joey Kovar, star of "The Real World: Hollywood," dead at 29

Joey Kovar

/ Twitter/Personal Photo

(CBS News) Joey Kovar of 2008's "The Real World: Hollywood" died Friday at age 29, reports MTV.

MTV said it's "deeply saddened" to hear of his death, noting, "We offer our sympathies to Joey's loved ones, friends and fans."

TMZ reports that Kovar was found dead at a friend's home near Chicago, and family and friends think drugs may have been the cause. A rep told the site that the friend found Kovak with blood coming out of his ears and nose.

Drugs were nothing new for Kovar, who also appeared on season three of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab." His bio on the show's website explains that Kovar abused "massive amounts of alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, meth" and steroids and "had come very close to death through an overdose."

Still, an autopsy was inconclusive, and toxicology results are pending, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Kovar worked as a personal trainer and actor before landing a spot on MTV's "Real World" in 2008. Mid-way through the season, he announced he was leaving the show to enter rehab.

His brother, David Kovar, told the Tribune the reality TV star had been sober for six months. "Everyone is in shock right now. He seemed fine, he was happier and he was doing better," he said.

The day before his death, Kovar sent out a series of inspirational tweets:

Life is not about how fast you runor how high you climbbut how well you bounce.

— Joe Kovar (@RealJoeyKovar) August 16, 2012

What lies behind us and what lies before usare tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

— Joe Kovar (@RealJoeyKovar) August 16, 2012

Life is not about how fast you runor how high you climbbut how well you bounce.

— Joe Kovar (@RealJoeyKovar) August 16, 2012

[DigoPogo]

To the family and friends of Joey Kovar. I am so sorry for the pain and sadness you are surely going through from the loss of this young man.

[sexytallchocolate]

To Joey Kovar's I am very sorry for your loss. I found Joey to be a wild person that had no boundaries and a man who is not accountable to anyone is a danger to himself. I pray that you do not let his death go in vain. It was obvious that he was hurting with a strong need for attention so continue to pray and things will get better. Again, I am very sorry for your loss.

[DigoPogo]

rtavis; You seem to be the worthless piece of excrement!

[Red_Stripe]

rtavis: The guy is dead and it's your job to pass judgment? What a miserable person you are.

[rtavis]

Another worthless piece of excrement elevated to the level of "star" by our entertainment industry. Wake up, America. Go find some real heroes....