'Treme' actor Michael Showers is dead at 45
A tragic story of a body found floating in the Mississippi River has taken a Hollywood turn, with the body now being identified as Michael Showers, above left, an actor on the HBO drama “Treme.”
Some originally thought the body, found off New Orleans' French Quarter on Wednesday morning, was that of a man who had reportedly jumped off a bridge the day before. But Louisiana state police late Wednesday identified the body as Showers. He was 45. Police have not yet given a cause of death.
The actor played the minor recurring part of police Capt. John Guidry in “Treme,” HBO’s drama about life in New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina.
Showers was not a widely known actor, although he did have parts in “The Vampire Diaries” as well as small roles in several films, including the Jim Carrey dramedy “I Love You Phillip Morris” and the 2000 Oscar winner “Traffic.”
Showers’ girlfriend told police that the actor had gone for a drink Tuesday and not returned home. HBO has not yet issued a statement on Showers' death.
"Treme" has run for two seasons on HBO. It’s set to begin production this fall on a third season, which will air in the spring of 2012.
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-- Steven Zeitchik
Photo: Michael Showers, left, and David Morse in "Treme." Credit: HBO
