Growing up in the '90s and early '00s gives me a very distinct opinion about what makes good TV. In other words, I strongly believe that those decades were the prime time for television, especially when it came to Disney Channel's original series and movies. That's why the recent news about Michael Galeota's death is so heartbreaking. The 31-year-old starred in The Jersey, a sports-themed show that aired from 1999 to 2004. On Saturday, a funeral was held to honor the actor, and Shia LaBeouf attended in support of his former Disney pal. An inside source told E! News that LaBeouf wore a baseball cap and sat in the front row. Explaining the connection, the source said:
Shia and Michael were best friends when they were younger, and even though they weren't as close as they once were, they always asked about each other.
After word spread about Galeota's passing, a GoFundMe page was started to help cover the funeral costs. When a donation under the name "Shia L." appeared for $5,000, people speculated it was from LaBeouf, and E! has confirmed that this is indeed true. Although the news is sad, it's heartwarming that the former Even Stevens actor stepped up to the plate and supported his friend's family. Especially since in recent years, the press surrounding LaBeouf tends to fall somewhere between negative and questionable. This is a positive change of pace.
While I'm sure LaBeouf's presence was appreciated, let's shift the spotlight back to Galeota and the legacy he left behind. E! reports that the somber day was a celebration of his life. An inside source said:
People reminisced about Mike's big heart and said that he is everlasting. There was laughter, there were tears. People talked about the memories they had with him ... Mike was the type of guy that if you ask him for $5, he will find a way to get $10. Always giving and thinking of others. He was a jokester and a true star. They talked about his accomplishments and his days of fame. Mike would have loved the turn out today. He was loved!
Sounds like a memorable but undeniably heartbreaking ceremony. Sending all the best to Galeota's family, friends, and fans! He'll be missed.
