The late Jewish actor Paul Danan’s cause of death has been revealed as a “combination of drugs, both prescription and illicit”.
Danan, who rose to fame as Hollyoaks’ Sol Patricks in the late ‘90s, was found unresponsive at his flat in Bristol on January 15, according to the inquest into his death.
The court heard that friends had raised the alarm after they were unable to reach the him for several days.
A neighbour used a ladder to look through his window before entering the property, finding the star lying on the sofa. Emergency services attended but were unable to revive him.
Police confirmed at the time that the death was not being treated as suspicious and Coroner Debbie Rookes returned a ruling of misadventure on May 28.
The hearing heard that Danan died due to the “combined toxicity” of several drugs,
including heroin, cocaine and methadone (a synthetic opioid used to treat heroin withdrawal).
However, Ms Rookes ruled out a deliberate overdose, saying: "Paul Danan was clearly much loved and is very much missed.
"Mr Danan had a long history of drug misuse and struggles with his mental health. His death was caused by a combination of drugs, both prescription and illicit.
"Paul had struggled with his mental health for many years. He had taken an overdose in May 2024 but he was adamant that this was accidental and he didn't have any intention to end his life.
"Although he had occasional suicidal thoughts, he didn't have any active plans. I don't have any evidence before me that Paul intended to take his own life at this time. Therefore, the conclusion is misadventure."
In a statement to the court, Danan’s mother Beverley said: “Paul helped so many people from all walks of life but just couldn't help himself in the same way.
"His smiling face and love of life will always be remembered."
How Jewish was Paul Danan?
Danan was born to a Moroccan Jewish family in Essex and attended an Orthodox Jewish grammar school from the age of nine, telling one interviewer: “We davened every morning and put tefillin on every day. It was pretty hardcore.”
In order to pursue drama classes, he moved to a different secondary school before attending the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and gaining a degree in performing arts. He later spent three years in Los Angeles where he studied method acting.
Later in life he debated making aliyah like his brother, who married an Israeli woman. “I love it out there – I spent most of my summer in Israel,” he said. “I have always been into Judaism too. I love going to the synagogue and I fasted on Yom Kippur.”
In an unreleased 2024 JC interview, he said his Jewishness had proven a source of help for his addiction struggles “because it’s a very family-orientated culture. Connection is the opposite to addiction and you’re connected to your family and your friends – in the Jewish culture and religion we’re all very close and even if you don’t know the person but they’re Jewish, you straight away have some sort of good vibe. You’re Jewish, boom! I remember it always happening. There is that thing in common and it is quite magical.”
Judaism, he said, “helps” him. “I’m a people’s person. It’s helped me be more loving. It’s helped my morals; I have a God conscience.”
