DEAD ACTOR WAS DUE IN COURT

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- David Strickland, the ``Suddenly Susan'' actor who
apparently committed suicide by hanging himself in a motel room, was
due in court in a drug case on the day he was found dead, records show.

Police shed no new light Tuesday on Strickland's death, which was
discovered Monday morning. But records reviewed in Los Angeles showed
that he was supposed to have appeared in court there on that day.

Strickland was arrested Oct. 31 for cocaine possession and pleaded no
contest on Dec. 21, records show. He was put on probation for three
years and ordered into a rehabilitation program. He was due in court
for a progress report on that program.

Angela Cheung, an attorney who was representing Strickland, declined
comment.

Police said there nothing to indicate foul play. No note was found,
there was no indication of drugs, and Strickland did not place any
long-distance calls from his room, Lt. Wayne Petersen said.

``We found nothing to indicate anything but a suicide,'' he
said.

Strickland, 29, played the role of Todd, a music critic in NBC's
``Suddenly Susan,'' and was in ``Forces of Nature,'' the No. 1 box
office movie last weekend.

Warner Bros. and NBC said production of ``Suddenly Susan'' was being
halted indefinitely.

``I am devastated by the loss of my best friend whose talent and humor
graced all who knew him,'' series star Brooke Shields said in a
statement. She urged the media not to pry into the death, adding ``I
pray to God David's pure heart is now at peace.''

Authorities and the actor's acquaintances provided no clues on
possible reasons for the suicide.

Strickland was born in Glen Cove, N.Y., and moved to Pacific Palisades
near Los Angeles while he was in high school. After graduation, he
pursued an acting career.

He guest-starred in episodes of ``Roseanne'' and ``Dave's World.'' He
also had recurring roles on ``Sister, Sister'' and ``Mad About You,''
playing Paul Reiser's co-worker. He also had a role in the 1998
independent film ''Delivered.''