OPINION:
This is a sad day for fans of the 2004 Disney “Miracle” movie about America’s miraculous Olympic gold in the 1980 hockey games.
One of the leading actors, Michael Mantenuto, the guy who played Jack O’Callahan — the street-fight tough team member with the broad Boston accent — was found dead in his car. Cause of death was ruled suicide, by self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He was 35 years old.
Mantenuto was best known for his role in “Miracle,” the true-to-life movie about the U.S. hockey team who went against the biggest and most heavily favored countries — the Soviet Union, Finland — to take home the gold. The win over the Soviets was dubbed a miracle on ice for the Americans.
The actor went on to make some minor appearances after “Miracle.” He also joined the military.
“Those of you that knew Mike will remember him for his passionate love for his family and his commitment to the health of the force,” Col. Guillaume Beaurpere said in a news release about Mantenuto’s death.
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