J. Merritt/FilmMagic
Michael Mantenuto, best known for playing Jack O’Callahan in Disney’s 2004 sports docudrama Miracle about the United States men’s hockey team, has died of an apparent suicide. He was 35.
Mantenuto, a former University of Maine hockey player, was found dead in his car by police in Des Moines, WA, according to TMZ. The coroner reported Michael died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The actor caught a big break when he was casted as defenseman Jack O’Callahan in Disney’s Miracle, which documented the American team’s victory over the heavily favored Soviet team in the medal round of the 1980 Winter Olympics. O’Callahan injured his knee in an exhibition game but returned against the Soviets and makes a key shot that leads to a U.S. goal.
After the movie hit theaters, Mantenuto went on to appear in the 2006 TV movie “Dirtbags” and 2008’s “Surfer, Dude.” However, he later left Hollywood to enlist in the Army.
Col. Guillaume Beaurpere, commander of Mantenuto’s army unit, announced his death.
[h/t TMZ]