Actor Samuel Monroe Jr., known for roles in ‘Menace II Society’ and ‘The Players’ Club,’ dies at age 52
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Monroe Jr. had been hospitalized due to meningitis, MRSA and pneumonia since April.
Samuel Monroe Jr., an actor known for roles in several Black cinema classics such as “Tales From The Hood,” “Menace II Society,” and “The Player’s Club,” has died, his mother confirmed on social media. He was 52.
Monroe had been hospitalized since April for several issues, including MRSA pneumonia and meningitis. He was placed on dialysis to assist with regulating his kidney function. His health had taken a turn in recent weeks, suffering multiple seizures, as doctors suggested he may live the rest of his life in a vegetative state.
“I want to thank all of my facebook family and friends new and old for praying for Samuel Monroe, Jr., my son,” his mother, Joyce Patton, wrote on Facebook. “But today God called him home. Please honor my final request to pray for the family especially his 3 children.”
In a July update, Monroe’s wife, Shawna Stewart wrote on Facebook that he had suffered more than 20 seizures around July 30, leading to swelling around his brain. He’d undergone three brain surgeries, according to Stewart and asked for continued thoughts and prayers for her husband.
Beginning with his film debut in 1993’s “Menace II Society,” Monroe steadily maintained work due to his looks and charisma. He frequently popped up in movies that played on L.A. culture, including 1995’s “Tales From The Hood,” 1996’s “Set It Off,” and a spoof of the hood classic genre, 1996’s “Don’t Be A Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood.” He also starred as Junior, Ronnie’s brother, in the 1997 film “The Player’s Club.”
But Monroe’s health complications became a major concern earlier this year, leading to fans and family asking for prayers for improvement. A GoFundMe was created for the actor in April by his stepdaughter, who asked donors to recognize that even though her father’s health might improve, he would have likely required around-the-clock care.
Monroe is survived by his wife, his mother and three children.