Overdose probe after Hollywood actor found dead

Robert Pastorelli, who played the screwball housepainter Eldin on the hit US TV show Murphy Brown, has been found dead in his Hollywood Hills home from a suspected drug overdose.

Pastorelli’s body was found by his assistant on Monday in a bathroom, Lt Ed Winter of the coroner’s office said. An autopsy was done, but the cause of death would not be released pending the results of toxicology tests, which could take eight to 10 weeks.

“It’s a possible accidental death,” Winter said, adding, ”There was drug paraphernalia found.”

In Murphy Brown, he played Eldin Bernecky, an oddball housepainter for TV newswoman Brown, played by Candice Bergen.

Pastorelli, 49, had finished work with John Travolta last month on Be Cool, the sequel to the comedy Get Shorty. He played a hit man.

“I am still unable to grasp this tragic news,” said Be Cool director Gary Gray. “Robert was a true professional and a total delight to work with. My heart goes out to his family, and he will be sorely missed.”

Pastorelli, born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, was an aspiring boxer in his youth. But a near-fatal car crash on his 19th birthday ended his dreams of a pro-sports career.

He had roles in films including Outrageous Fortune, Beverly Hills Cop II and Dances With Wolves.

Pastorelli was in Murphy Brown from 1988 to 1994.

He had a brief run as a drama series star: He played a police psychologist in the US version of Cracker from 1997-98.

In 1999, his girlfriend, Charemon Jonovich, 25, was found shot dead and her death was investigated by police as an accident. The couple had a daughter.