Santana, 26, who recently appeared in the Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro movie Showtime, was shot to death early Saturday while sitting in the passenger seat of a car parked in south Los Angeles. The father and husband of that family was Willie Tanner, portrayed by Max Wright. Born in Upper Manhattan, New York City to parents from the Dominican Republic, Santana's career in show business began with a push from his parents, who wanted to keep him off the tough streets of New York. Al Adamson was a master of kitschy, low-budget horror movies, only to find himself a victim in a story that could have come straight from one of his own films. He was sentenced last week to 23 years in prison. Fame came in '91 when he portrayed "Stanley" the boyfriend of "Rudy Huxtable" on "The Cosby Show. It took Brandon years to learn to cope with the death of his best friend, Merlin Santana, after watching him die right there in front of him. Teenager charged over actor's death. We have estimated Merlin Santana's net worth , money, salary, income, and assets. Emotional tributes and messages of love poured out from social media users who have said that the actor would never be forgotten. Brandon doesnt speak publicly too much about that horrific night, but he revealed this to Jet Magazine: It was devastating. Prosecutors said that Santana and a friend had been at a nearby home with King the night of the murder. that benefits the victims. And over the course of the series, James Avery would become one of the most well-loved father figures on American television as Smith's Uncle Phil. Ritter died during surgery. On his birthday, March 14. Hopefully Monique King and her accomplices have been rehabilitated, and we can only pray that Merlin Santanas loved ones have found a way to manage their grief. Brandon Douglas Bynes, the other suspect who was with Gates during the shooting, received a 23-year sentence after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon. The New York-born Santana earned nominations for the NAACP Image Awards and ALMA Awards, which honor Hispanic performers, for his recurring role as Romeo Santana on The Steve Harvey Show on the WB Network. merlin santana death scene. [] Brandon said he was the one friend of his who couldve had anything that I had.. While he died much too young, Merlin Santana had a decades-old career in sitcoms. Fidler, trying the case without a jury, found King guilty of second-degree murder and attempted murder. He was the son of Walter Koenig, best known as Pavel Chekov fromStar Trek: The Original Seriesand the subsequent films. Therefore the owner of this account does not promote or condone any person/entity to use or distribute this material for commercial purposes without permission from the owner of this material. Superior Court Judge Larry P. Fidler sentenced Monique King, who was 15 when Santana was killed in November 2002, to a California Youth Authority prison until she turns 25. For the pilot episode of Alice,Alfred Lutter who played the titular widow's son in the film reprised the role of Tommy Hyatt. His fans and friends gave tributes, and they paid respect to him. Santana, 26, of North Hollywood was best known for his role as Romeo Santana on The Steve Harvey Show.. Here's what happened according to reports: Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Merlin Santana we have covered. DEATH DATE Nov 9, 2002 (age 26) Popularity . Merlin Santana was an Afro-Latino-American television actor, well known for his role as the teenager Romeo on 'The Steve Harvey Show'. Kelly's battle with addiction didn't end well. He was gone but never forgotten. When Merlin and his friend left the party, they sat in Brandons car for a second or so. "Whatever the situation as, he didn't deserve to die." [But] I've done pretty good.". The cause of his death was a gunshot wound to the head. Additionally, a teenage girl was found guilty of helping two men murder the actor and was sentenced to the California Youth Authority. On November 9, 2002, Santana was murdered while sitting in a car in Los Angeles. His characters of Rudy Huxtable's boyfriend Stanley in 'The Cosby Show', Marcus Henry in 'Under One Roof', and Marcus Dixon in 'Getting By', boosted his career graph. In 1996, he landed the role of Romeo Santana on The Steve Harvey Show. He continued to tryto find new avenues to creatively express himself, so he channeled his energy into recording a rap album, which didnt really take off. "Justice will be served," the judge said. Merlin Santana was a famous actor and model and performed his best in numerous films. Merlin Santana was an actor and rapper who was shot dead in a parked car on November 9th, 2002. The male reported that a passenger in his vehicle had been shot. Copyright 2023 by Vizaca. Two men, Brandon Douglas Bynes and Damien Andre Gates (no relation to Merlin Santanas friend with the same name) were later arrested and charged with Santanas murder. In the show, Smith played a fictionalized version of himself who's sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Bel-Air after a confrontation with a violent gang. The Cosby Show's child star and a six-year cast member of The Steve Harvey Show, Merlin Santana, was gunned down while sitting in a car on a Los Angeles street corner. Gates was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences plus 70 years in prison for the murder of Santana and attempted murder of Brandon Quintin Adams, who was in the car with Santana. At the time of the late actor's death, the comedy, "The Blues," which he starred in, was in post-production and got released in 2003. Although a suspect has been arrested, investigators have yet to find a motive for the attack. Santana, 26, was killed early Saturday in South Los Angeles, police spokeswoman Lucy Diaz said. Pushed by his mother into . In the '90s and 2000s, Koenig became an outspoken activist and gained notoriety in his efforts to draw more attention to China's support of the military dictatorship ruling Burma. The same year that series ended, Santana was murdered in his car in Los Angeles. She will be 25 years old when exiting from Juvenile Hall. It took me a long time to recover from that. The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Most of his live-action roles were of the smaller variety, and in a 2007 interview with the New York Film Academy (via CNN), he was candid about missing the spotlight, saying, "You can either be a movie star or an actor. Monique King lied to her two accomplices by saying the actor had made sexual advances toward her; she also helped them get away after they shot Santana, said Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Larry P. Fidler. The episode ends with the police calling to report Stitie's fate, which is left ambiguous. On the television, children remain children, and unless the script decrees it, no one ever dies. But she was best known for her role on UPN's Moesha. Happy 45th Birthday Merlin Santana., Another one said: Merlin Santana wouldve been 45 years old today Happy Eternal Earthday., Someone else added: Happy heavenly birthday Merlin Santana.. Gates and Bynes quickly ambushed them in a hail of gunfire using 12 gauge shotguns. He was nominated for many awards in his career, such as NAACP Image Awards and ALMA Awards and many more. Bynes received 23 years for assault with a deadly weapon and voluntary manslaughter.. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', She was also arrested twice in 2012 for more allegedly violent crimes. Santana also had guest appearances on a number of television shows, including JAG, The Cosby Show, Major Dad, Moesha and Sister, Sister. Prosecutors had sought a first-degree murder charge against King, 17, in connection with the Nov. 9, 2002, shooting, which took place shortly after the actor left another mans home in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles. On the season three finale, "A Day in the Life," Stitie's co-workers panic when he goes missing. All Rights Reserved. King told the men that Santana and his friend had made sexual advances toward her. As soon as Adams and Santana got in their car, they spotted a guns red laser shining through the back window, they look back to see what it was, but they had zero time to run. Harvey said during a KCBS-TV interview Monday. But for each of its subsequent episodes, Philip McKeon played the young Tommy. Merlin Santana was an American actor known for his roles in television shows and films. David Strickland's acting career was tragically short. . What a lot of people dont know is his actor best friend Brandon Adam's was in the car and with him the day he was murdered. He was 54 years old, a week shy of his 55th birthday. The police later arrested Monique, (who was really 15 and not of age as she had Merlin believe), and her accomplices. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. His characters of Rudy Huxtable's boyfriend Stanley in 'The Cosby Show . Deon Richmond was cast as his brother Darren, due to their interaction on The Cosby Show. | Los Angeles Born | buffygunner@illicitdeeds.com. Santana was only 26 years old when he was shot in the head by Damien Andre Gates, apparently because Gates erroneously believed Santana had been making sexual advances toward his girlfriend, Monique King, who was a minor at the time. "Hanging Out" Would Ultimately End His Life While still searching for acting gigs, Merlin would sometimes hang out with his boys and meet women, until that one night when he met the female who would ultimately cause him to meet his death date on November 9, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA. For four seasons, Wright played the straight man to the wisecracking ALF puppet, an experience that eventually soured enough that Wright reportedly didn't bother saying goodbye to anyone on his last day of work on the series. Saint Raymond's New Cemetery and Mausoleum. His last television acting role was on the UPN series, Half & Half, while his last film role was in the 2003 comedy film, The Blues with Deon Richmond. Along with ongoing legal and financial struggles, Coleman dealt with severe health issues all of his life. "This kid is not a gangster," said Harvey, a radio and television talk show host in Los Angeles. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible. Taken from cnn.com Actor Merlin Santana killed in shooting in Los Angeles Sunday, November 10, 2002 Posted: 8:25 PM EST (0125 GMT)-----LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Merlin Santana, a television and film actor who appeared in this year's Eddie Murphy movie "Showtime," was shot to death while sitting in a parked car, authorities said Sunday. Combien gagne t il d argent ? The friend drove off and flagged down a police car. }); Copyright 2015 . The L.A. County Coroner deemed her death was due to accidental "multiple drug intoxication." He was then cast as Marcus Dixon in the short-lived sitcom, Getting By, starring Cindy Williams and Telma Hopkins. He was best known for his roles as Rudy Huxtable's admirer Stanley on The Cosby Show, Marcus Dixon on Getting By, Marcus Henry in Under One Roof and as high school student Romeo Santana on The WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show. In 2002, he appeared in the VH1 TV movie, Play'd: A Hip Hop Story with Toni Braxton. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', (Merlin) was my best friend, and (the murder) was a senseless thing. From 2010 to 2013, Kelly had a number of run-ins with the law. He was with his friend and former child actor Brandon Quintin Adams. Nothing good came of Arthur's death, and Merlin was allowed no possible way out of his grief and regret - not even death, as the final scene strongly hinted that he'd indeed been waiting. He was sitting in the passenger seat shortly after 2:30 a.m. when at least one person approached the car and . advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. That same night, they went back to their place and got their guns. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible. OnSuddenly Susan, the decision was made to make art imitate life. Death. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Merlin Santana was an American actor known for his roles in television shows and films. Along with his role onFresh Prince, Avery was known for his exceptional voice work. His killers include 21-year-old Damien Andre Gates and 25-year-old Brandon Douglas Bynes. After the car plowed through a fence and rolled down an embankment, Bentley was thrown from the car and into traffic, where he was hit by five other vehicles. The cause of death was a bullet to the head. Randy Chrisley Is Todd Chrisley's Brother Who Was Diagnosed with Cancer in 2014, Johnny Depp's Weight Gain & Changes in Appearance over the Years, 'Whos the Boss? Brandon also appeared in the 1989 filmPolly,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,Martin, The People Under the Stairs, among other projects. [1] He began his career at the age of three as an advertising model for a fast food chain. NEWS SPORT WEATHER WORLD SERVICE A-Z INDEX SEARCH : You . In the early '90s, he played the recurring role of Stanley boyfriend of the Huxtables' youngest daughter,. He acquitted King on two lesser charges. Ten years was just a slap on the wrist for the pain she and her accomplices brought to Merlins mother, Lea Santana, and his daughter, Melody, who had to grow up without a Daddy. It took Brandon years to learn to cope with the death of his best friend, Merlin Santana, after watching him die right there in front of him. Coleman played the youngest of two Harlem-born brothers taken in by successful businessman Phillip Drummond (Conrad Bain). Brandon immediately called 911 in which Merlin was taken to the hospital but later died. Earlier, police said that at least one person approached the car and opened fire, striking Santana. Died July 24, 1975, age 36; she and a companion were shot to death in a drive-by as they walked to her car following an acting class Was an American actress who appeared on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Phyllis" The two shooters were never identified, and her murder remains unsolved 13. Prosecutors, who tried her as an adult, agreed that King would be sentenced to the California Youth Authority and held until age 25. While Coleman was adamant about not sharing specifics, we know that his relatively short stature was due to kidney disease. Greg Dohi. 2022-06-30; Advertisement Monique King has had a miserable childhood and this verdict punishes her fairly and gives her a chance to turn her life around.. King, who was 15 at the time, falsely accused the deceased of sexually abusing her. [4], Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Remembering Merlin Santana On His 4-Year Death Anniversary", "`Steve Harvey Show` actor shot to death", "Teenage Girl Convicted for Role in Actor's Killing", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Merlin_Santana&oldid=1133914923, Direct-to-video release, (final film role), This page was last edited on 16 January 2023, at 03:11. What many may not know is that Merlin was murdered in cold blood at the age of 26, in 2002 and the reason he was murdered will make you even more heartbroken and angry at the same time. Brandon was also a very popular young 90s actor who was cute and talented. Man I loved watching this young brotha do his thang on the screen. TO GOOGLE AND IT'S AFFILIATES: Using copyright material for commentary and criticism is NOT copyright infringement. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, Best coffee city in the world? In 1991, Santana landed a recurring . We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. What happened to Monique King Merlin Santana? Merlin Santana (March 14, 1976 - November 9, 2002) was an American actor and rapper. LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Merlin Santana, a television and film actor who appeared in this year's Eddie Murphy movie "Showtime," was shot to death while sitting in a parked car, authorities said. does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. Santana was in Los Angeles at the time of his death and was sitting in a car with a friend, Damien Andre Gates, when they were approached by three men. Copyright 2023 by Vizaca. Superior Court Judge Larry P. Fidler sentenced Monique King . speaks out against the above mentioned and. We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. Image and ALMA award nominee Merlin Santana, who recently appeared in the Eddie Murphy movie "Showtime," and had a recurring role on "The Steve Harvey Show," was shot to death while sitting. In other news, Celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday with these 37 heartwarming quotes. In the early '90s, he led the political satireHearts Afireas senatorial aide John Hartman, and he played memorable film roles like the concerned friend and store owner Vaughan in 1996's Oscar-winningSling Blade. Bentley reportedly lost control of his vehicle while heading toward a freeway off-ramp. RIP Merlin Santana. Merlin Santana attends the WB Winter TCA Press Tour All-Star Party on January 6, 2001 at Il Fornaio Restaurant in Pasadena | Photo: Getty Images. With his face always obscured usually by their shared fence Earl Hindman's Wilson W. Wilson Jr. acted as confidant to Tim Taylor (Tim Allen) and doled out Yoda-like wisdom to the tool-obsessed Tim. Heres what happened according to reports: One particular night hes [Merlin Santana] out with his friend, [Brandon] Adams (also a child actorPeople Under the Stairs)at a Chinese restaurant when they met up with a girl and her friend. Several fans gave tributes to him which were circulated on social media who would have been 45 this year. Speaking to ABC News in 2012, Kelly blamed alcoholism for her departure from the sitcom, also saying her alcohol abuse began after she suffered a miscarriage. King, a runaway who was sentenced April 20 to eight years in juvenile hall. Merlin Santana was a very gifted actor and his murder was utterly senseless. Brandon was able to drive off and once he was at a safe spot, he noticed that Merlin was slumped over in the passenger seat. All four of them had dinner and went to a club later that night and hung out. Sam Cooke Soundtrack | Innerspace Monique King was just a kid at the time of Merlins death, but something clearly went wrong in her life to make her capable of telling such bold lies. The crime took place around 2:30 a.m. when at least one person approached the car and fired at Santana, who was in the passenger seat. For those actors who remain in our memories and in the shows that brought us so much laughter, here are some sitcom actors you may not know have sadly passed away. At the time, his family claimed that he was killed for wearing a Lil JoJo hoodie . Prosecutors had sought a first-degree murder charge against King in connection with the November 9, 2002 shooting. It returned, and Wright succumbed to the disease in 2019 at the age of 75. Merlin Santana, a US television and film actor who appeared in this year's Eddie Murphy movie, Showtime, was shot to death while sitting in a parked car, authorities said Sunday. In February 2010, Koenig's body was found hanging from a tree in Vancouver's Stanley Park. He enjoyed one-off appearances during the '90s, leading to popular recurring roles on the sitcomsSister, Sister andMad About You. Vontae Davis Crash Scene Photos Show Ex-NFL Star Asleep Near Wrecked Cars. Paramedics were called but Santana was pronounced dead at the scene. In 2003, Gates was convicted. We may never know for sure, but it seems likely it was one or more of these issues that ultimately led to Coleman's death. Brandon Adams is a former child actor. Hennessy had an official list of rules for any boy unlucky enough to be dating either of his daughters, such as "you make her cry, I make you cry" and "safe sex is a mythanything you try will be hazardous to your health.". BeforeHome Improvement, he was best known as Detective Lieutenant Bob Reid on the soap operaRyan's Hope. He acquitted King on two lesser charges. It's been 20 years since child actor/rapper/film star Merlin Santana was shot and killed in the Crenshaw district of California by two random gun men. Los Angeles, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Calmes: Heres what we should do about Marjorie Taylor Greene, ICE detainees allege retaliation for speaking about medical conditions at Otay Mesa center, Downtown L.A stabbing sends six to hospital; suspect arrested, San Diego Roman Catholic diocese facing yet another lawsuit from its insurance company, K-Pop isnt the only hot ticket in Koreatown how trot is captivating immigrants, Los Angeles is suddenly awash in waterfalls. 25-year-old Brandon Douglas Bynes pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon in the case. Wright toldPeoplethat his work was on the decline afterALF, but that after his diagnosis and subsequent remission, he "came back to life after being on the edge, with a tremendous gusto for the things I love." He also appeared on other television shows, including Major Dad, Moesha and Sister, Sister. He also played Stanley, who had a crush on Rudy Huxtable on the hit, The Cosby Show., Independent Journalist + Business Owner | Lover of all things true crime. On November 18, 2002, Santana, age 26, was buried at Saint Raymond's Cemetery in The Bronx borough of New York City.