'Treme' actor found dead in Mississippi River

A real-life tragedy has befallen the "Treme" family.

The body of Michael Showers, an actor who had a recurring role as police Capt. John Guidry on the HBO drama about New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, was found floating in the Mississippi River Thursday morning. He was 45.

A steamboat captain spotted him at around 11:15 a.m. in waters near New Orleans' French Quarter and Harbor Police recovered the body about 30 minutes later, authorities told he Times-Picayune.

1. More Entertainment stories
   1. Autistic ballerina dances her way into hearts
      

      In a popular YouTube video, the beaming little ballerina dances an entire four-minute routine seemingly perfectly, matchin...

   2. Every on-screen drink in 'Mad Men' in 5 minutes
   3. See the 'Dancing' stars' most memorable moves
   4. Emmy's biggest snubs? Cranston, Hamm, more
   5. 'Toy Story' toys burn up in prank on mom

MORE: Jani Lane Autopsy Inconclusive

An autopsy will be performed to determine cause of death, but the chief investigator for the Orleans Parish coroner's office estimated that Showers' body had been in the water for two days.

The Times-Picayune identified Showers as being from Chalmette, a village in southeast Louisiana situated on the east bank of the Mississippi River.

GALLERY: 2011's Fallen Stars

In addition to "Treme," Showers made appearances in "Breaking Bad" and "The Vampire Diaries," and his movie credits include "Traffic," "I Love You, Phillip Morris" and "The Tree of Life."