Kevin Smith survives 'massive heart attack' after being rushed to hospital

American filmmaker Kevin Smith — best known for helming Clerks and Chasing Amy — has revealed he survived a “massive heart attack” over the weekend.

The 47-year-old Tweeted a picture of himself from a hospital bed covered with tubes on Monday (26 February) morning. Smith had performed a stand-up show the evening prior, and was due to perform again but cancelled the second show.

“After the first show this evening, I had a massive heart attack,” he wrote on social media alongside the picture.

“The Doctor who saved my life told me I had 100 per cent blockage of my LAD artery (aka “the Widow-Maker”). If I hadn’t canceled show two to go to the hospital, I would’ve died tonight. But for now, I’m still above ground!”

Fans were quick to respond on social media, including Guardians of the Galaxy actor Chris Pratt, who wrote: “Kevin we don’t know each other too good but I have loved you since Clerks and I’m praying my ass off for you cause I believe in the healing power of prayer.”

Writer Sean Francis posted to Twitter: “I keep reading this in shock. Damn. It’s an understatement to say, but myself and so many others are glad you cancelled and are recovering. Sending love to you and yours.”

Smith had performed a stand-up show at 6pm PT at the Alex Theater in Glendale, California, and was due to perform once again at 9pm.

The comic book writer and filmmaker posted the photo from hospital 21 minutes after midnight, local time.

Smith later posted a lengthy message to Facebook, explaining what had happened: "I was trying to do a killer stand-up special this evening but I might’ve gone too far," the post reads.

"After the first show, I felt kinda nauseous. I threw up a little but it didn’t seem to help. Then I started sweating buckets and my chest felt heavy. Turns out I had a massive heart attack. The Doctor who saved my life at the Glendale hospital told me I had 100 per cent blockage of my LAD artery (also known as “the Widow-Maker” because when it goes, you’re a goner).

"If I hadn’t canceled the second show to go to the hospital, the Doc said I would’ve died tonight. For now, I’m still above ground! But this is what I learned about myself during this crisis: death was always the thing I was most terrified of in life. When the time came, I never imagined I’d ever be able to die with dignity - I assumed I’d die screaming, like my Dad (who lost his life to a massive heart attack). But even as they cut into my groin to slip a stent into the lethal Widow-Maker, I was filled with a sense of calm.

"I’ve had a great life: loved by parents who raised me to become the individual I am. I’ve had a weird, wonderful career in all sorts of media, amazing friends, the best wife in the world and an incredible daughter who made me a Dad. But as I stared into the infinite, I realized I was relatively content. Yes, I’d miss life as it moved on without me - and I was bummed we weren’t gonna get to make Jay and Silent Bob reboot before I shuffled loose the mortal coil. But generally speaking, I was okay with the end, if this was gonna be it.

"I’ve gotten to do so many cool things and I’ve had so many adventures - how could I be shitty about finally paying the tab. But the good folks at the Glendale hospital had other plans and the expertise to mend me. Total strangers saved my life tonight (as well as my friends Jordan Monsanto and Mily Dawn, who called the ambulance).

"This is all a part of my mythology now and I’m sure I’ll be facing some lifestyle changes (maybe it’s time to go Vegan). But the point of this post is to tell you that I faced my greatest fear tonight... and it wasn’t as bad as I’ve always imagined it’d be. I don’t want my life to end but if it ends, I can’t complain. It was such a gift."