Hollywood star of space jam and the china syndrome dies aged 86

Hollywood actor Michael Alaimo, best known for roles in Space Jam and Oscar-nominated drama The China Syndrome, has died at the age of 86. The American star, who also appeared in Mr. Mom and

festive favourite All I Want For Christmas, passed away “peacefully”, according to a statement from his family. His daughter, veteran TV PR Gabriella Alaimo Thomas, confirmed the sad news

to Variety. Though no cause of death has yet been made public, the official statement said he died peacefully in his sleep. Alaimo was a familiar face on both the big and small screen, with

a decades-long career that spanned film, TV dramas and cult classics. Alaimo starred opposite NBA icon Michael Jordan in the 1996 film Space Jam, playing the role of the doctor. The motion

picture, which featured the R.Kelly ballad I Believe I Can Fly, featured a who's who of cameos from legendary people in the sports world. They included Jordan's longtime teammate

Scottie Pippen, as well as NBA icons such as Shaquille O'Neal, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing and Steve Kerr. Before making the leap to Hollywood, Michael cut his acting

teeth studying theatre at Brooklyn College. From 1961 to 1964, he was deeply involved with Joseph Papp's NY Shakespeare in Central Park, where he led a commedia dell'arte troupe.

Michael also dipped his toes into political activism with the influential Gut Theatre in East Harlem. Later relocating to San Francisco, California, Michael hit the road with the anti-war

production F.T.A., before finally settling in Los Angeles in 1973. While in Los Angeles, Michael's career took off as he secured early roles in The Six Million Dollar Man, Cannon and

Harry O. Alaimo appeared on a February 1985 episode of the iconic sitcom Cheers, which suffered another loss earlier this week as beloved actor George Wendt died aged 76. Alaimo had played

the role of a character named Vinnie Claussen on the episode, which was titled 2 Good 2 Be 4 Real and the fourth episode of the seventh episode of the show's fourth season.

Michael's memory is being cherished by his wife Louise, daughters Gabrielle and Giovanna, son-in-law David and granddaughters Isabelle and Malia. In 1967, he appeared in the films The

Sex Cycle; File X for Sex: The Story of the Perverted; A Taste of Flesh; Come Ride the Wild Pink Horse; and Skin Deep in Love. _FOR THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND STORIES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE

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