It's a sad day for fans of the Disney Channel series "The Jersey." The star of the show, Michael Galeota, was found dead at his home in Glendale, Calif. on Sunday, according to TMZ. He was 31 years old and is said to have died from natural causes.
Galeota had multiple health issues over the years which included abdominal pain, hypertension and high cholesterol. The actor reportedly went to a hospital last week for stomach pains but checked himself out on Wednesday.
The former Disney channel star played the role of Nick Lighter in "The Jersey" from 1999-2004, according to People. The series was about four teenagers who discovered a magical jersey that transported them into the bodies of professional athletes allowing them to live out their sports dreams. Galeota was the lead in the short-lived CBS series "Bailey Kipper P.O.V.," in which he starred as a young electronics genius from 1996-1997. He also had small roles in episodes of "ER" and "Ally McBeal." He appeared in one feature film called "Bushwhacked."
The family of the actor started a GoFundMe page to help pay for the funeral expenses.
"He was a precious gift-loving, giving, compassionate, joyful and intelligent... To know him was to love him," his family posted on the donation website. "Please help us to provide a burial that is worthy of a GIVER."
