Lee ‘Hawk’ Reherman, Former ‘American Gladiators’ Star, Dies At 49

Lee “Hawk” Reherman, the actor and athlete who starred on American Gladiators, died Monday. He was 49.

Lee “Hawk” Reherman Dies

Reherman was found dead late Monday at his home in Manhattan Beach, Calif., by his live-in girlfriend, Reherman’s rep told TMZ. While a cause of death is unknown, Reherman was “not feeling well” as of late, and had undergone hip replacement surgery several weeks ago.

Foul play is not suspected.

“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,” Kathy Carter, Reherman’s manager of 17 years, told NBC News.

Reherman, who played offensive lineman on the Cornell University football team, attempted to launch a career in the NFL after graduation with the Miami Dolphins. After that fell through, he pursued a career as an actor in Hollywood, where he eventually landed the part of Hawk on American Gladiators. Reherman also had guest-starring roles on Gilmore Girls, The X-Files and The Shield.

In more recent years, Reherman hosted the Speed Network’s Hot Rod TV and Forza Motorsport shows. He had also appeared on Cooper Barret’s Guide to Life and Jane the Virgin.