Isaac Hayes found unresponsive on floor, treadmill still running

Isaac Hayes is dead.

The legendary deep-voiced singer-songwriter was found unresponsive -- near a running treadmill -- in his home outside Memphis, Tenn., early Sunday morning.

In 10 days, he would have turned 66.

A Shelby County sheriff’s deputy responded to Hayes’ home after his wife found him on the floor near a still operating treadmill.

He was taken to Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, where he was pronounced dead at 2:08 a.m. The Shelby County Sheriff's Department is investigating, but no foul play is suspected

The singer-songwriter, musician, producer, arranger, composer and actor earned Academy Awards in 1972 for best original song and score for "Theme from Shaft." He also won a Grammy in 1972 for the album "Black Moses." He was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

His popularity rose anew in 1997 after he began doing the voice of Chef on the hilarious animated Comedy Central show "South Park."

But he quit the show in 2006 after it satirized his religion, Scientology, which  he joined in 1995. At the time, he said, "There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins."

Hayes also appeared in films including "It Could Happen to You" with Nicolas Cage, "Ninth Street" with Martin Sheen, "Reindeer Games" with Ben Affleck and the blaxploitation satire "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka."

He was prolific in more than just making music and movies. He fathered 12 children, had 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His fourth wife, Adjowa Hayes, gave birth to his son Nana Kwadjo Hayes a little more than two years ago.

Photos: Isaac Hayes on WireImage, Chef from Photobucket.

Comments

[Nickolove Lovemore]

What a sad loss. He will always be fondly remembered.

[rdevegas@embargmail.com]

thoughts and prayers to mr hayes and his family..have, and will always be a fan of mr. hayes... his passing is a terrrible loss for not only his fans and friends,,,but more for his wonderful family..l will say prayers for all if i may,,,,bless you all and be well warmest regards,,richard engle las vegas nevada

[Ato Kwamina]

You forgot to mention he was made a chief in Eastern Ghana, in West Africa. And among the projects he completed in that part of Ghana was a world-class computer school.