FALLEN STAR

’90s Star Dies at 52 After Meningitis Battle

He had previously been on life support.

Menace II Society actor Samuel Monroe Jr. has died, his family has said. He died at a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 52 on Wednesday after a battle with meningitis. Writing on Facebook, his mom Joyce Patton said, “I want to thank all of my Facebook family and friends new and old for praying for Samuel Monroe, Jr., my son. But today God called him home. Please honor my final request to pray for the family, especially his 3 children.” Monroe Jr.’s wife, Shawna Stewart, also posted a tribute to her husband. “Samuel, you were so much more than the talented actor, Rapper the world knew and loved. You brought laughter, strength, kindness, and love into the lives of so many people,” she wrote on Facebook, adding, “My heart is broken, but I am grateful that I was blessed to love you.” The actor was hospitalized with meningitis and MRSA pneumonia in April after falling ill in Las Vegas, and was previously reported to be on life support. His career began in 1993, and he appeared in Southland, Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, and Tales From The Hood. He had three children and a stepdaughter.