EX 'GLADIATORS' STAR 'HAWK' FOUND DEAD

Lee Reherman ... who was Hawk on "American Gladiators" ... was found dead in his house Tuesday morning, TMZ has learned.

Reherman's rep says the actor's girlfriend found him in their Manhattan Beach, CA home. The rep says 49-year-old Reherman had been complaining about "not feeling well" in the last week. He was also recovering from hip replacement surgery several weeks ago.

Reherman most recently played a secret service agent on the TV show, "The First Family" -- and guest roles on tons of other TV shows including, "Jane The Virgin," 'X-Files' and "NCIS."  But he was best known as Hawk.

Cause of death is unclear at this point, but law enforcement sources tell us there's no initial sign of foul play.