- The actor is best known for the movie Miracle about the US hockey team
- Police found the star in his car in Washington state, dead from a gunshot wound
- The University Of Maine grad shot himself in the head, according to a coroner
- The married father-of-two also starred in Dirt Bags and Surfer, Dude
- He later left acting and enlisted in the Army, joining the Special Forces
- Mantenuto is survived by wife Kati, daughter Ava, and son Leo
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Former Disney star Michael Mantenuto has committed suicide at the age of 35.
The Miracle actor was found dead in his car in Des Moines, Washington, on Monday, according to police.
A coroner has confirmed that the father-of-two intentionally took his own life by shooting himself in the head.
The former actor and avid hockey player was best known for the 2004 Disney movie Miracle co-starring Kurt Russell about the US Men's Olympic hockey team that went on to win the gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Sad end: Michael Mantenuto died on Monday at the age of 35. The former Disney star shot himself while sitting in his car in Des Moines, Washington. Pictured 2004
Big screen: T he actor and avid hockey player was best known for the 2004 Disney movie Miracle with Kurt Russell
Mantenuto played ice hockey player Jack O'Callahan.
The real-life O'Callahan, now a retired Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils player, paid tribute to the actor who once portrayed him, saying: 'Very sad, way too young. Condolences and love to Katie and the family.'
He was one of dozens of family, friends and acquaintances paying tribute to the former actor today.
It was his hockey skills that helped him land the plum role in Miracle.
In the film, which also starred Patricia Clarkson and Noah Emmerich, his hockey skills were put to good use as the film was about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team.
He starred in two other movies.
Hot on ice: In the film, which also starred Patricia Clarkson, his hockey skills were put to good use as the film was about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team
New path: After that he joined the Special Forces. Col. Guillaume Beaurpere, who was the commander of Mantenuto's army unit, announced his death
The first was the 2006 TV movie Dirt Bags with Melissa Joan Hart and Laura Bell Bundy.
And the next was 2008's Surfer, Dude with Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson and Willie Nelson about 'a soul searching surfer experiencing an existential crisis.'
After that he joined the Special Forces.
Col. Guillaume Beaurpere, who was the commander of Mantenuto's army unit, was the person who announced his death.
'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,' he said.
A graduate of University of Maine, and popular ice hockey coach, he is survived by wife Kati, daughter Ava, and son Leo, and by his parents, Joseph and Kerry Mantenuto who reside in Massachusetts.
