Stand-up comic, published author and co-star of The Howard Stern radio show Artie Lange was quietly rushed to the hospital Sunday night. At that time, there was no further explanation and Stern remained tight-lipped about it on his show. But now, Page Six is reporting that the troubled comedian, who has a long history of drug and alcohol abuse, gambling addiction and depression, tried to commit suicide by cutting himself nine times.

Troubled comic Artie Lange landed in the hospital after stabbing himself nine times in an apparent suicide attempt, sources told The Post. Lange’s frantic mom called 911 Saturday morning after she entered his Hoboken apartment and found the bloodied funnyman, a law-enforcement source said. Lange sustained six “hesitation wounds” and three deep plunges. A source close to Lange’s management team confirmed that the Howard Stern sidekick stabbed himself, adding that his mother had come to visit him that day to drop off food. Surgeons managed to save Lange despite heavy bleeding. “We all have our demons,” Stern said on-air this week, referring to Lange’s past battles with addiction. “Artie has given this show tremendous moments of great comedy. He’s a tremendous contributor. He is a good man. Don’t forget how great he is.”

[From Page Six]

Lange is a textbook example of a “Crying on the inside” comedian. Love him or hate him, this is pretty darn sad. Stabbing yourself is a desperate act, indicative of someone at the end of their rope. Anyone who listens to the show knows that Artie has been in a bad way for quite some time, but hasn’t been ready to do the work needed to stay off drugs, treat his depression and take better care of himself. At least, not for more than a couple of weeks at a time. I hope he takes some time off and focuses on his mental and physical health.

Artie Lange outside the Ed Sullivan Theatre on August 24, 2009, and performing in Florida on January 16, 2009. Credit: WENN.