A former football star who rose to fame on the popular 1990s television show American Gladiators has died at the age of 49.
Lee Reherman, who performed as Hawk on the show, died at his home in Manhattan Beach, his publicist Anthony Turk said.
The cause of his death is unknown, but the former Cornell University offensive tackle had not been feeling well in recent days after undergoing hip replacement surgery, Mr Turk said.
He died soon after his girlfriend returned home on Tuesday to find him unwell.
Mr Reherman had a tryout with the Miami Dolphins after graduating with honours from Cornell. He also earned a master's in business administration and was pursuing a doctorate in economics at the University of California in Los Angeles when he won his slot on American Gladiators.
On its Twitter page, Gladiators wrote: "It is with much sadness we inform you #AmericanGladiators star Hawk @LeeReherman sadly passed away this morning. RIP."
At 6ft 4ins, Hawk became an immediate fan favourite on the show.
Kathy Carter, his manager of 17 years, said: "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."
After Gladiators, he continued to have TV and film roles over the next 20 years, including roles in Last Action Hero, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Star Trek Into Darkness.
He also had guest appearances on TV shows including Ellen, The X-Files and The Shield.
He produced several shows, including an upcoming documentary called The League which looks at character-building in Ivy League college football, which does not offer scholarships.
Mr Reherman is survived by his father and two brothers.
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