Lee Reherman, who starred in the popular 1990s television show American Gladiators, has died. Reherman, who also happened to be a former Ivy League football star, was found dead at his home by his girlfriend, reports UPI . He was only 49.
The news of Reherman’s death has been confirmed by his publicist, Anthony Turk, who told the Associated Press that the actor died at his Manhattan Beach home. The cause of his death has not been revealed yet. However, Turk added that Reherman wasn’t feeling well for the past few weeks and had undergone a hip replacement surgery recently. Reherman was reportedly found unresponsive by his girlfriend on February 29. A statement issued by Anthony reads as follows.
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I inform you of the sad and unexpected passing of my dear friend, PR client & business partner, Lee Reherman,” his publicist Anthony Turk said in a statement.
“Your prayers are greatly appreciated at this very difficult time. Lee was loved by everyone who knew him and he will never be forgotten.”
Many of Lee Reherman’s fans were shocked at his untimely passing. We have embedded a few tweets from shocked fans.
This world lost a good one yesterday. Rest in peace Lee Reherman!
— Joe Burns (@gj66burns_joe) March 2, 2016
Who else remembers that G4 show Arena that Lee Reherman was on? https://t.co/yIpShEPQ8d
— Mark Melnychuk (@Melnychuk86) March 2, 2016
Some claimed Reherman died of steroid abuse. These are of course uncorroborated facts since we do not have an official cause of death yet.
Lee Reherman, ‘Hawk’ on ‘American Gladiators,’ dead at 49 because of steroid abuse.
— Jerome Weingarden (@Thelovetoy) March 2, 2016
This is sad news. I used to love watching #AmericanGaldiators . RIP Hawk https://t.co/lF4bCN1d8t
— Ozzie E (@OzziesPOV) March 2, 2016
Reherman played the character of the muscular, powerful “Hawk” in American Gladiators from 1993 to 1996 — when the series was cancelled. He continued to make occasional television appearances after that — most notably in a spin-off called International Gladiators from 1995 to 1996. He was also seen in the American Veterans Awards on the History Channel.
Reherman started off his acting career as an unnamed football player in the 1990 television show Columbus . He then went on to play a small character in the film Last Action Hero which also starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. Other films and TV shows in which Lee Reherman made appearances include Star Trek Into Darkness , Ellen , Caroline in the City , Gilmore Girls , ‘The X-Files, and The Shield . Lee also played the character of special agent Ross Hardison, on television’s The First Family . In fact, he had recently filmed an episode of Jane the Virgin . Reherman was also seen in the first season of Disney’s K.C. Undercover . Filming of the second season is underway currently. Reherman also had a successful stint as a producer and produced a yet-to-be-released documentary, The League.
Reherman was also active as a professional sportsman in his younger days. He was a standout offensive tackle at Cornell University and was also with the Miami Dolphins for some time. At six foot four, Reherman was an imposing personality with a bodybuilder’s physique.
Talking about Reherman, her manager of 17 years, Kathy Carter, says the following.
“Anybody who came in contact with him, even people who may have been on a film set with him for just one day, Lee was very much loved by everyone.”
Reherman was born, July 4, 1966, in Louisville. He is survived by his father and two brothers. There is no information regarding the funeral service for Reherman.
[Image via Lee Reherman/Facebook]
