Michael Galeota, actor and Smithtown native, dies in California at 31, report says

Actor Michael Galeota, a Smithtown native who starred in a hit Disney television series and movies, has died at 31, according to several media reports.

Galeota had gone to a hospital Wednesday because of abdominal pains, according to USA Today, but checked out of the facility that day and died at his Glendale, California home Sunday.

The newspaper confirmed the death through Galeota’s brother, Jimmy, but it is still not clear what killed the star of the hit Disney Channel series, “The Jersey,” and the 1996 movie, “Clubhouse Detectives,” among others.

He had also starred in the comedy, “Bushwhacked,” with Daniel Stern, released in 1995, in “Women & Men 2: In Love There Are No Rules,” and “Secret Santa.”

“At this time we are not certain as to the cause of death . . . and more details will be released later once my family is ready,” Jimmy Galeota wrote in a message to USA TODAY through a crowdfunding site devoted to raising money for his brother’s burial. The donation goal is $25,000.

USA Today said the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office told a TV celebrity news channel Galeota suffered from hypertension and high cholesterol and an examination to determine the cause of death is scheduled for Tuesday.

The GoFundMe site, created by Jimmy Galeota, reads: “It is with tremendous heartfelt sadness to announce the passing of Michael James Galeota on January 10th. He died peacefully at home. He was a precious gift — loving, giving, compassionate, joyful and intelligent. . . . Mike was a great giver, always ready and able to care for others. Although his life was short, we are grateful and appreciate the experience of having been loved, and loved him in return, and for being in our lives.”

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