Michael Mantenuto, an actor and hockey player who starred in Disney’s 2004 film “Miracle,” has died. He was 35.
Mantenuto died on Monday of an apparent suicide, according to TMZ, and was found in his car by police in Des Moines, Wash. TMZ reports that the actor shot himself.
“Miracle” tells the story of the US men’s hockey team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics. The Americans’ victory over the heavily favored Soviet team was dubbed the “Miracle on Ice.” The US would go on to beat Finland to win gold. Mantenuto played Jack O’Callahan, a member of the US team who injures his knee, but returns to the rink to take on the Soviets, and makes a key shot that leads to a US goal. Kurt Russell and Patricia Clarkson also star in the movie.
Mantenuto’s Hollywood career was limited apart from “Miracle.” He did, however, appear in the 2006 TV movie “Dirtbags” and 2008’s “Surfer, Dude.”