UPDATE Feb. 6, 2012: Ron Jeremy released a statement to E! News through his manager, Mike Esterman, in which he said: "Thank you ALL for the concern & well wishes, I'm doing very well thanks to modern technology!"
Esterman added that Ron's doing "quite well" and is "alert and cracking jokes."
"He personally wanted to get this pic and message out to the world. He's touched and delighted by the outpouring of support from fans and media alike," said the rep.
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Ron Jeremy isn't stiff—and for once that's a good thing.
The adult film star is conscious and his condition steadily improving since undergoing emergency surgery for an aneurysm near his heart six days ago and a follow-up operation to stem some internal bleeding.
Jeremy's 94-year-old father, Arnold Hyatt, told the New York Daily News that the porn pioneer remains in intensive care at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, but is awake and "on the road to recovery, in spite of this ordeal."
"I still have my fingers crossed," Hyatt said. "If you're familiar with this kind of procedure, there can be periods of euphoria followed by setbacks."
Jeremy, 59, experienced extreme tightness in his chest last Wednesday and ended up driving himself to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed the porn actor with a dangerous aneurysm near his heart. His dad said the first procedure lasted eight hours while the second surgery was necessary after he suffered complications.
His official website stated that once Jeremy is cleared to leave the ICU, he'll remain hospitalized for a few more weeks while his physicians monitor his progress.
"You, the fans, mean a lot to Ron and he appreciates your support and prayers," his management added in a statement.
Jeremy, of course, ranks No. 1 on AVN's list of "The 50 Top Porn Stars of All Time" and holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the most appearances in adult movies with 2,000-plus.