- Merlin Santana
-
Merlin Santana 
Born March 14, 1976
Manhattan, New York, U.S.Died November 9, 2002 (aged 26)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.Occupation Actor Years active 1991–2002 Merlin Santana (March 14, 1976 – November 9, 2002) was an American actor and rapper. He is best known for his role as Keshia Knight Pulliam's admirer, Stanley on The Cosby Show and the high school student, Romeo Santana on The WB sitcom, The Steve Harvey Show.
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Early life
Born in Upper Manhattan, New York to Dominican parents, 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.[1] He began his career at the age of three as an advertising model for a fast food chain. His first screen appearance was as an extra in the Woody Allen film, The Purple Rose of Cairo.
Career
In 1991, Santana landed a recurring role on The Cosby Show as Stanley, the faithful admirer of the young Rudy Huxtable and the romantic rival of Rudy's friend Kenny (Deon Richmond). He was then cast as Marcus Dixon in the short lived sitcom, Getting By, starring Cindy Williams and Telma Hopkins. Deon Richmond was cast as his brother Darren, due to their interaction on The Cosby Show.
In 1995, Santana was cast as Marcus Henry in the short-lived CBS family drama Under One Roof, co-starring with James Earl Jones, Joe Morton and Vanessa Bell Calloway. Between 1996 and 1999, he played the role of Ohagi on Moesha.
In 1996, he landed the role of Romeo Santana on The Steve Harvey Show. In 2001, he played the role of Jermaine in the movie Flossin . In 2002, he appeared in the VH1 TV movie, Play'd: A Hip Hop Story with Toni Braxton. That same year, Santana landed a role in the Eddie Murphy's comedy, Showtime. His last television acting role was on the UPN series, Half & Half, His last film role was a 2003 comedy, The Blues with fellow Cosby Show alum Deon Richmond.
Death
On November 9, 2002, Santana was fatally shot while sitting in a parked car in South Los Angeles.[2] He was 26 years old. Santana was buried on November 18, 2002 at Saint Raymond's Cemetery in The Bronx, New York.
Damien Andre Gates was later convicted of the first-degree murder of Santana and the attempted murder of another man in the car, and was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences plus 70 years in prison. Brandon Douglas Bynes received a 23-year sentence after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon. An officer involved in the case testified that Monique King, reportedly Gates' girlfriend and aged 15 at the time of Santana's death, falsely claimed that Santana had tried to rape her, which prompted Gates and Bynes to attack the car. King received eight years in juvenile custody.[3]
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes 1991 Major Dad Marvin 2 episodes 1991 Law & Order Roneld Griggs Episode: "Mushrooms" 1991 The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez Newsboy 1991 to 1992 The Cosby Show Stanley 7 episodes 1992 In the Line of Duty: Street War Television movie 1993 to 1994 Getting By Marcus Dixon 31 episodes 1994 Sister, Sister Joey Episode: "Joey's Choice" 1995 Under One Roof Marcus 6 episodes 1995 Street Gear Derick Davis 13 episodes 1995 to 1996 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Calvin 2 episodes 1996 Harambee! Flex Television movie 1996 to 1999 Moesha Ohagi 5 episodes 1996 to 2002 The Steve Harvey Show Romeo Santana 122 episodes 1997 NYPD Blue Warren Episode: "A Draining Experience" 2001 Flossin Jermaine 2002 Showtime Hector 2002 JAG Seaman Aubrey McBride Episode: "Port Chicago" 2002 Play'd: A Hip Hop Story Mayhem Television movie 2002 Half & Half Dante Aldente Episode: "The Big Pimpin' Episode" 2003 The Blues Goya Direct-to-video release References
- ^ Josephs, Tasheka (2006-11-09). "Remembering Merlin Santana On His 4-Year Death Anniversary". vibe.com. http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2006/11/merlin_santana_death/. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
- ^ "TV Actor Merlin Santana Shot To Death In L.A.". Jet (Johnson Publishing Company) 102 (23): 16. 2002-11-25. ISSN 0021-5996.
- ^ "Three Sentenced in Shooting Death of TV Actor Merlin Santana". Jet (Johnson Publishing Company) 105 (19): 18. 2004-05-10. ISSN 0021-5996.
External links
Categories:- 1976 births
- 2002 deaths
- 2002 murders in the United States
- Actors from New York City
- American child actors
- American television actors
- American film actors
- American murder victims
- American people of Dominican Republic descent
- Deaths by firearm in California
- Hispanic and Latino American actors
- Hispanic and Latino American people
- Murdered entertainers
- People from Manhattan
- People murdered in California
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