Lee Reherman, who starred on American Gladiators during the 1990s, has died. He was 49 years old.
His publicist, Anthony Turk, told The Associated Press that the former Ivy League football player was found dead at his Manhattan Beach, California home on March 1. The cause of death was not revealed, but Turk said that he recently underwent hip replacement surgery and was not feeling well. His girlfriend found him ill when she came home.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that there weren’t any signs of foul play.
Reherman graduated from Cornell University, where he played offensive tackle, with honors and was getting a doctorate in economics when he was asked to appear on American Gladiators. He was known as “Hawk” on the show, which initially ran from 1991 to 1996.
After the show ended, Reherman transitioned to acting, finding roles as wrestlers and strongmen. His recent credits include The First Family, Jane The Virgin, Sam & Cat, Star Trek Into Darkness and Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life. He also produced reality shows, including Off-Road Overhaul and Battle of the Supercars.
Reherman is survived by his father and two brothers.