African-American Actors Who Died Before 45

The entertainment industry has been shaped by the immense talent of performers who reached great heights before their lives were tragically cut short. From groundbreaking leading men to versatile character actors, these individuals left an indelible mark on cinema and television. Their contributions continue to inspire new generations of artists and audiences alike. This list honors those male African-American actors who passed away before the age of 45.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman achieved international stardom for his portrayal of King T’Challa in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film ‘Black Panther’. Throughout his career, he specialized in playing historical icons, including Jackie Robinson in ’42’ and James Brown in ‘Get on Up’. He privately battled stage III colon cancer for four years before succumbing to the disease at the age of 43 in 2020. His final performance in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ earned him a posthumous Academy Award nomination. The actor’s dedication to his craft while undergoing rigorous medical treatments left a lasting impact on the film industry.

Lee Thompson Young

Lee Thompson Young rose to prominence as a child star playing the lead role in the Disney Channel series ‘The Famous Jett Jackson’. He successfully transitioned into adult roles, most notably starring as Detective Barry Frost in the TNT drama series ‘Rizzoli & Isles’. In August 2013, the actor was found dead in his apartment at the age of 29 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His family later revealed that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and suffered from depression. The Lee Thompson Young Foundation was established in his memory to help remove the stigma associated with mental illness.

Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman became a household name in the late 1970s for his role as Arnold Jackson on the sitcom ‘Diff’rent Strokes’. His signature catchphrase became a cultural phenomenon during the show’s eight-season run on television. Beyond television, he appeared in films like ‘On the Right Track’ and ‘The Kid with the Broken Halo’. Coleman suffered from a congenital kidney disease that stunted his growth and led to lifelong health complications. He passed away at the age of 42 in 2010 after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage following a fall at his home.

Lamont Bentley

Lamont Bentley was best known for his role as Hakeem Campbell on the popular UPN sitcom ‘Moesha’. He shared the screen with singer Brandy for six seasons, becoming a fan-favorite character known for his comedic timing. Bentley also appeared in the film ‘The Wash’ and portrayed Tupac Shakur in the television movie ‘Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story’. His career was cut short in 2005 when he was involved in a fatal single-car accident in Ventura County, California. The actor was 31 years old at the time of the incident.

Merlin Santana

Merlin Santana earned widespread popularity for his role as Romeo Santana on ‘The Steve Harvey Show’. Before this success, he appeared in recurring roles on ‘The Cosby Show’ and ‘Getting By’. His career continued to grow with guest appearances on series such as ‘Moesha’ and ‘JAG’. In November 2002, Santana was shot and killed while sitting in a parked car in Los Angeles at the age of 26. His untimely death shocked the entertainment industry and his many young fans.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur was a multi-talented artist who maintained a successful acting career alongside his legendary status in hip-hop. He delivered a chilling performance as Bishop in the drama ‘Juice’ and starred opposite Janet Jackson in ‘Poetic Justice’. His filmography also includes roles in ‘Above the Rim’ and the posthumously released ‘Gridlock’d’. Shakur was fatally shot in a drive-by incident in Las Vegas in 1996 at the age of 25. Despite his short life, he remains one of the most influential figures in contemporary entertainment.

Nelsan Ellis

Nelsan Ellis was a classically trained actor who gained fame for his role as Lafayette Reynolds in the HBO series ‘True Blood’. His portrayal of the flamboyant and sharp-tongued character earned him several accolades, including a Satellite Award. Ellis also appeared in films such as ‘The Butler’, where he played Martin Luther King Jr., and the James Brown biopic ‘Get on Up’. He died in 2017 at the age of 39 from complications related to heart failure. His family stated that his death was a result of complications from alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Sam Sarpong

Sam Sarpong was a versatile entertainer who worked as a model, musician, and actor throughout his career. He was a co-host on the MTV show ‘Yo Momma’ and appeared in the film ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing’. Sarpong also had guest roles on popular television series such as ‘Bones’, ‘ER’, and ’24’. In October 2015, the actor died by suicide after jumping from a bridge in Pasadena, California at the age of 40. He was remembered by colleagues for his high energy and pioneering work in the fashion world.

Windell Middlebrooks

Windell Middlebrooks was a character actor recognized for his series regular role as Curtis Brumfield in the medical drama ‘Body of Proof’. He also gained significant visibility as the delivery driver in a series of popular television commercials for Miller High Life beer. His other television credits include roles on ‘The Suite Life on Deck’, ‘Scrubs’, and ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’. Middlebrooks passed away unexpectedly in March 2015 at the age of 36. An autopsy later determined that the cause of death was a pulmonary embolism.

Chance Perdomo

Chance Perdomo was a rising star known for his roles in major television productions both in the United Kingdom and the United States. He received a BAFTA nomination for his performance in the television film ‘Killed by My Debt’. Perdomo gained international fame playing Ambrose Spellman in ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ and later starred as Andre Anderson in ‘Gen V’. His career was tragically interrupted in March 2024 when he died in a motorcycle accident. The actor was only 27 years old at the time of his death.

Harold Hunter

Harold Hunter was a professional skateboarder and actor who became a cultural icon in the downtown New York scene. He made his acting debut in the 1995 film ‘Kids’, playing a fictionalized version of a teenage skater. Hunter also appeared in the film ‘Kung Faux’ and worked on various projects for television and independent cinema. In 2006, he was found dead in his apartment in the Lower East Side at the age of 31. His death was attributed to a heart attack induced by cocaine use.

The Notorious B.I.G.

Christopher Wallace, famously known as The Notorious B.I.G., was a towering figure in the music industry who also made appearances on screen. He guest-starred as himself in the television series ‘New York Undercover’ and ‘Martin’ during the height of his fame. His life and career were cut short when he was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in 1997. He was only 24 years old at the time of his death. His legacy continues to be celebrated through various posthumous film documentaries and the biographical movie ‘Notorious’.

Nipsey Hussle

Nipsey Hussle was an acclaimed rapper and entrepreneur who also pursued a career in acting. He appeared in the film ‘Caged Animal’ and had a role in the television movie ‘I Tried’ alongside members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. His commitment to his community in South Los Angeles was a central part of his public identity. Hussle was fatally shot outside his clothing store in 2019 at the age of 33. His contributions to both the arts and community activism earned him a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Jak Knight

Jak Knight was a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor who was quickly becoming a prominent voice in the comedy world. He co-created and starred in the series ‘Bust Down’ and was a writer and voice actor for the animated hit ‘Big Mouth’. Knight also toured extensively as a comedian and appeared in several stand-up specials throughout his rising career. He died by suicide in July 2022 at the age of 28, leaving behind a significant body of creative work. His unique comedic perspective earned him a reputation as a bold and innovative storyteller.

Teddy Ray

Teddy Ray was a beloved comedian and actor known for his appearances on ‘Wild ‘n Out’ and ‘How to Be Broke’. He gained widespread fame through his viral internet sketches and his work with the media company All Def Digital. Ray also appeared in the television series ‘Pause with Sam Jay’ and the film ‘Perfectly Single’. He was found dead in a private residence in August 2022 at the age of 32. An investigation later determined that he died of heart failure.

Kevin Barnett

Kevin Barnett was a prolific writer and actor who co-created the comedy series ‘Rel’. He also contributed as a writer to ‘The Eric Andre Show’ and appeared in the film ‘The Heartbreak Kid’. Barnett was a well-known figure in the New York City comedy scene, frequently performing stand-up and hosting podcasts. He died suddenly in January 2019 while on vacation in Mexico at the age of 32. The cause of death was later identified as non-traumatic hemorrhage caused by pancreatitis.

Pop Smoke

Bashar Jackson, known professionally as Pop Smoke, was a prominent rapper who began transitioning into acting shortly before his death. He made his feature film debut in the basketball drama ‘Boogie’, where he played the antagonist Monk. His music was a defining sound of the Brooklyn drill scene, gaining international chart success. Pop Smoke was killed during a home invasion in Los Angeles in February 2020. He was 20 years old, and his performance in ‘Boogie’ was released posthumously.

Gene Anthony Ray

Gene Anthony Ray rose to fame for his portrayal of Leroy Johnson in the 1980 musical film ‘Fame’. He reprised his role in the subsequent television series ‘Fame’, which ran for six seasons and earned him international recognition. Ray was a gifted dancer whose performances helped define the aesthetic of the franchise. He later appeared in the film ‘Out of Sync’ and had a cameo in ‘Austin Powers in Goldmember’. Ray died in 2003 at the age of 41 following complications from a stroke.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories of these talented performers in the comments.