'Mortal Kombat' Actor Darren Shahlavi Dies of Reported Drug Overdose

Darren Shahlavi, best known as a supporting player on TV shows including Mortal Kombat: Legacy and Arrow, has died from a reported drug overdose. He was 42 years old.

Shahlavi was reportedly found dead at his home in Los Angeles on Jan. 14. Few details are currently known about the British actor’s death, but TMZ reported that the death was due to prescription drugs. Sources also told the site that he had an extended history of drug and alcohol abuse. The Los Angeles County Coroner is now getting ready to conduct toxicology tests on Shahlavi.

His death was confirmed by his agent, Kathy Carpenter, in The Hollywood Reporter.

Shahlavi was known for his martial arts skills, which saw him cast in action roles in films like Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011), BloodRayne (2005), and 300 (2007). But it was his turn as Kano, the thuggish head of the Black Dragon crime cartel in Mortal Kombat, that earned him the widest recognition.

With news of his death circulating across the Internet, several former co-stars took to Twitter in order to express their grief and condolences.

"RIP Darren Shahlavi. 1st guy I ever fought on Arrow," wrote Stephen Amell, star of the CW's Arrow. "He was a great dude & a patient, thoughtful partner. Fight looked good because of him."

Shahlavi is survived by his former wife, Luraina Undershute, and his actress sister, Elisabeth Shahlavi.