The cause of death of one of reality TV’s first breakout stars has been revealed.
MTV’s “True Life” scene thief Charlie Balducci succumbed to “acute drug intoxication” from a deadly cocktail of prescription drugs, the New York Medical Examiner office confirmed to the Post Monday.
Oxycodone, hydrocodone and alprazolam – the anti-anxiety drug commonly known as Xanax – were found in the bloodstream of the 44-year-old New Yorker native, who was unresponsive at his home in Staten Island on July 25. He was pronounced dead on the spot.
The flamboyant entertainer, better known as ‘Charlie B’, was a proud pioneer of the reality TV genre after starring in ‘True Life: I’m Getting Married’ in 2001. He let MTV cameras follow him for four months as he prepared to marry his fiancé, Sabrina.
The series showcased one of the most infamous moments in MTV history: when the limousine driver arrived late on Balducci’s wedding day, he vowed, “I’ll take you away like the piece you are” and “I’ll hunt you down.” down like cattle. “
Unfortunately, Balducci – dressed in a hip white suit – still arrived two hours late to his wedding.
The Great Kills resident took pride in introducing the “guido” lifestyle to the masses, saying that inmates of the neighborhood had to play with the jokes – while simultaneously looking for MTV’s “Jersey Shore” kids who, according to had ripped off his schtick.
“It’s clear these people are playing on the Staten Island stereotypes,” he said in 2009. “It’s just funny to me how awful actors act when they try to recreate the authenticity of a guido or a guidette.”
He later took on multiple acting roles, including a role as a talk show host in the Derrick Simmons film ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ and as a narrator on the indie film ‘Staten Island’. He also had a brief appearance on the ABC soap “All My Children” and guest-starred on “The Ricki Lake Show”.
In for real Balducci went on to found the Staten Island-based 501c3 nonprofit NYC Arts Cypher in 2005, dedicated to creative programs targeting at-risk youth. He led everything from sanctioned graffiti murals to anti-bullying campaigns and break dancing programs, with the mission of keeping kids out of trouble on the streets.
He had been married to his wife Sabrina for over ten years, but they were reportedly divorced at the time of his death. He is survived by their two sons, Louis, 19, and CJ, 17.
At the time of his unexpected death, Balducci’s mother told TMZ that the last words he spoke to her were “he is happy with his boys.”
