Michael Roof

Michael Roof, a comedian known as "Chicken" who co-starred in the two XXX action movies, and had acting roles in both Black Hawk Down and The Dukes of Hazzard movie, died earlier this week. He was only 32. This sad news came to me from two knowledgeable sources overnight, both of whom alleged that Roof had taken his own life. Friends of Roof also began offering their condolences Tuesday afternoon and evening on Michael Roof's MySpace page.

Michael "Chicken" Roof had a wife and three kids. He got his nickname "Chicken" during college and started out his comedy career in Atlanta. After making his mark at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival, he got cast in the WB sketch comedy show, Hype. But he got more notice as an actor, getting roles in the real-life war movie, Black Hawk Down, as well as a recurring role as the weapons nerd agent in the two XXX films. In fact, he gets more speaking lines in the trailer for XXX than either star Vin Diesel or Samuel L. Jackson.

One snowy night after a kill, a depressed Frank prepares to leap from the roof of a building. He's spotted by Kate, who has just emerged from her office. She cries out; he vanishes. It doesn't take long for Chicago cop Dave Murcheson (Tom Bastounes) to realize that the would-be jumper is most likely the killer. Both men begin to court Kate. Frank arranges an "accidental" meeting (to make sure she doesn't recognize him), then befriends the woman. His interest isn't sexual ... he seems simply to need some human contact.