Black Actors Who Died Before They Turned 35

The entertainment industry has been shaped by the contributions of countless individuals whose careers were tragically cut short. These performers left behind a legacy of work that continues to resonate with audiences, despite their untimely departures. From rising television stars to breakout film leads and Broadway trailblazers, their impact is still felt across the medium. This list honors Black male actors who passed away before reaching the age of 35, highlighting their achievements and the roles that made them memorable.

Chance Perdomo

Chance Perdomo was an American-born British actor who rose to international prominence through his compelling performances on television. He was widely recognized for his portrayal of Ambrose Spellman in the Netflix series ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’, where he played the lead character’s witty and protective warlock cousin. Perdomo later took on the role of Andre Anderson in the superhero drama ‘Gen V’, a spin-off of ‘The Boys’. He also earned a BAFTA TV Award nomination for his lead role in the 2018 television film ‘Killed by My Debt’. Perdomo passed away at the age of 27 following a motorcycle accident in March 2024.

Lee Thompson Young

Lee Thompson Young first captured the attention of audiences as a teenage star in the late 1990s. He played the title character in the popular Disney Channel series ‘The Famous Jett Jackson’, a role that earned him widespread recognition among young viewers. Young successfully transitioned into adult roles, starring as Chris Comer in the 2004 film ‘Friday Night Lights’ and portraying Detective Barry Frost on the police procedural ‘Rizzoli & Isles’. His career included guest appearances on major shows such as ‘Smallville’ and ‘Scrubs’. He died in August 2013 at the age of 29.

Merlin Santana

Merlin Santana began his professional journey as a child actor, appearing as Stanley in ‘The Cosby Show’ during the early 1990s. He is best remembered for his long-running role as the charismatic Romeo Santana on the UPN sitcom ‘The Steve Harvey Show’. Santana also made appearances in ‘Sister, Sister’ and the legal drama ‘Moesha’, becoming a staple of television during that era. In 2002, he expanded into film with a role in the action-comedy ‘Showtime’ alongside Eddie Murphy. Santana was tragically killed in November 2002 at the age of 26.

De’Angelo Wilson

De’Angelo Wilson was an actor and rapper who gained significant attention for his role in the 2002 hip-hop drama ‘8 Mile’. He played the character DJ Iz, a close friend and associate of the film’s protagonist in the gritty Detroit setting. Wilson also appeared alongside Denzel Washington in the biographical drama ‘Antwone Fisher’ and had a role in the 2005 comedy ‘The Salon’. His television work included guest spots on ‘The Shield’ and ‘CSI: NY’. Wilson passed away in November 2008 at the age of 29.

Lexie Bigham

Lexie Bigham was a versatile character actor who appeared in several high-profile films throughout the 1990s. He had notable supporting roles in ‘Boyz n the Hood’, ‘Dave’, and ‘South Central’, where he showcased his range in both drama and comedy. Bigham is also recognized for his appearance in David Fincher’s thriller ‘Se7en’ and the 1996 parody film ‘Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood’. His final role was in the 1996 comedy ‘High School High’, which was released after his death. He died in a car accident in December 1995 at the age of 27.

Jak Knight

Jak Knight was a multi-talented comedian, writer, and actor who left a distinct mark on modern television comedy. He was a co-creator and star of the Peacock series ‘Bust Down’, which explored the lives of casino workers in Indiana. Knight also served as a writer and producer for the animated series ‘Big Mouth’, where he provided the voice for the character DeVon. His writing credits extended to the hit ABC series ‘Black-ish’ and the Lucas Bros. project ‘Moving Co.’. He passed away in July 2022 at the age of 28.

Jason Raize

Jason Raize was a gifted performer who became a household name for his work in musical theater. He originated the role of the adult Simba in the original Broadway production of ‘The Lion King’ in 1997, a performance that highlighted his vocal power and physical presence. Raize also lent his voice to the character Denahi in the 2003 Disney animated film ‘Brother Bear’. Outside of his acting career, he served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme. He died in February 2004 at the age of 28.

Harold Hunter

Harold Hunter was a professional skateboarder and actor who became an icon of New York City street culture. He gained widespread recognition for playing a fictionalized version of himself in the controversial 1995 cult classic ‘Kids’. Hunter’s charismatic personality led to further roles in films such as ‘Mind Games’ and a cameo in the dance drama ‘Save the Last Dance’. He also appeared in the television series ‘Kung Faux’ and was a frequent presence in global skateboarding media. Hunter died in February 2006 at the age of 31.

Justin Pierce

Justin Pierce was a British-born American actor and skateboarder who broke into the industry with a raw performance in ‘Kids’. His portrayal of Casper in the 1995 film earned him an Independent Spirit Award for Best Breakthrough Performance. Pierce went on to star in the 2000 comedy ‘Next Friday’ as the character Roach and appeared in the independent film ‘A Brother’s Kiss’. His final roles included appearances on the sitcom ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ and the crime drama ‘Looking for Leonard’. He passed away in July 2000 at the age of 25.

Moses J. Moseley

Moses J. Moseley was an American actor best known for his work in the horror and sci-fi genres. He gained a following for his recurring role as one of Michonne’s pet walkers in the hit television series ‘The Walking Dead’. Moseley also appeared in the HBO series ‘Watchmen’ and had a role in the 2013 film ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’. In addition to acting, he was known for his work as a model and his appearances in various independent productions. He died in January 2022 at the age of 31.

Pop Smoke

Bashar Barakah Jackson, professionally known as Pop Smoke, was a prominent drill artist who was beginning a promising acting career before his death. He made his posthumous film debut in the 2021 sports drama ‘Boogie’, where he played the primary antagonist, Monk. His natural screen presence and intensity in the role received positive notices from critics and fans alike. The film showcased his potential to cross over from a successful music career into narrative filmmaking. He was 20 years old when he was killed in February 2020.

Tupac Shakur

While primarily recognized as a legendary hip-hop figure, Tupac Shakur established himself as a powerful dramatic actor in the 1990s. He made a striking film debut as the volatile Bishop in the 1992 crime drama ‘Juice’. Shakur followed this with leading roles in ‘Poetic Justice’, ‘Above the Rim’, and the posthumously released ‘Gridlock’d’. His final screen performance was in the 1997 crime thriller ‘Gang Related’ alongside James Belushi. Shakur died in September 1996 at the age of 25.

Nipsey Hussle

Ermias Joseph Asghedom, known as Nipsey Hussle, was a Grammy-winning musician and entrepreneur who also pursued acting roles. He made his feature film debut in the 2007 production ‘I Tried’ and appeared in the 2010 film ‘Caged Animal’ with Ving Rhames. Hussle also had a guest role in the musical comedy series ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ and produced various documentary projects. His work on screen often reflected his commitment to authentic storytelling and community representation. He was 33 years old when he was fatally shot in March 2019.

Lamont Bentley

Lamont Bentley was a television actor who rose to fame for his role as Hakeem Campbell on the long-running UPN sitcom ‘Moesha’. He reprised the character in the spin-off series ‘The Parkers’, solidifying his status as a beloved sitcom lead. Bentley also starred in the 1995 horror anthology film ‘Tales from the Hood’ and appeared in the 2001 comedy ‘The Wash’. His career spanned over a decade, during which he remained a consistent presence in Black television and film. He died in a car accident in January 2005 at the age of 31.

Sahara Davenport

Antoine Ashley, known professionally as Sahara Davenport, was a classically trained dancer and performer who gained fame as a television personality and actor. While widely known for competing in the second season of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’, Ashley also had roles in the soap opera ‘One Life to Live’. His background in dance and theater allowed him to maintain a diverse career in the performing arts. Ashley was recognized for his contributions to the LGBTQ+ entertainment community and his stage presence. He died of heart failure in October 2012 at the age of 27.

Chris Kelly

Chris Kelly was one half of the iconic 1990s rap duo Kris Kross, known as Mac Daddy. Beyond his massive success in the music industry, Kelly appeared in the 1993 comedy film ‘Who’s the Man?’ and lent his voice to the animated series ‘Rugrats’. He was also featured in several high-profile television specials and music-based film projects during the height of the group’s popularity. His presence in the media defined a specific era of youth culture in the early 1990s. Kelly passed away in May 2013 at the age of 34.

Cameron Boyce

Cameron Boyce was a highly popular actor who spent much of his youth starring in major projects for the Disney Channel. He was a lead in the comedy series ‘Jessie’ and played Carlos in the successful ‘Descendants’ film franchise. Boyce also appeared on the big screen in the ‘Grown Ups’ film series as the son of Adam Sandler’s character. His final roles included a lead in the HBO series ‘Mrs. Fletcher’ and the independent film ‘Runt’. Boyce died in July 2019 at the age of 20 due to complications from epilepsy.

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