Former TV star found dead amid child porn charges

American actor Mark Salling, best known for his role in the television series Glee, has been found dead in Los Angeles overnight.

The 35-year-old, who pleaded guilty to possession of more than 50,000 images of child pornography last year, was found dead Tuesday morning local time, at a property in California.

He was scheduled to be sentenced on March 7 and faced four-to-seven years in prison.

“I can confirm that Mark Salling passed away early this morning,” his lawyer Michael Proctor told People Magazine.

His death is being investigated as a possible suicide.

The actor rose to fame playing jock Noah ‘Puck’ Puckerman on the hit TV musical Glee from 2009 to 2015.

Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14.

Photo: AAP