Ice-T has opened up about the death of Coolio.

In his new documentary Fame & Fentanyl, he shared the devastating effects of drug use to his friend.

“Coolio was healthy. I know he didn’t want to die. He spoke freely about it, but that’s the thing,” Ice-T explained. “If you’re doing drugs recreationally, you’re not trying to take your own life. Recreation is a game, but this is no longer a game.”

Collio passed in 2022 at the age of 59 after suffering an accidental overdose  of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine.

The death of Michael K. Williams of The Wire actor Michael K. Williams, who also died from a drug overdose, singled to Ice-T that an epidemic was spreading.

“When it hit Coolio and it hit Mike, that was the nail in the coffin. That’s when you go, ‘Yo, this shit‑‑‑ is real.’ You know what I’m saying? It’s real.”

“We had never worked together, but we had planned to. I hoped to work with him. When people die of fentanyl, it’s like they got hit by a car, like they got shot,” he continued. “This is a person who’s healthy, and tomorrow they’re outta there.”

Ice-T also shared that while he’s never used drugs, he had felt the effects of addiction from his family and friends

“I don’t do drugs, but I never expected it. Everyone has someone in their life who has been affected by fentanyl. These are the narratives that everyone should be aware of, the Law & Order: SVU star told Entertainment Weekly.

Fame and Fentanyl is A&E’s new documentary special, premiered on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.