African-American Actors Who Died Before They Turned 30

The entertainment industry has seen numerous talents rise to fame only to have their lives tragically cut short. These young performers left behind a significant legacy through their work on television, film, and the stage. Their contributions continue to be celebrated by fans and peers alike as they are remembered for their potential and achievements during their brief careers. This list honors male African-American actors who died before reaching the age of 30.

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 later transitioned into adult roles, most notably portraying Detective Barry Frost on the police procedural drama ‘Rizzoli & Isles’. His film credits include a starring role in the 2004 sports drama ‘Friday Night Lights’ and the 2006 horror film ‘The Hills Have Eyes 2’. Young passed away in 2013 at the age of 29. His death prompted his family to launch a foundation dedicated to removing the stigma surrounding mental health.

Merlin Santana

Merlin Santana became a household name for his portrayal of Romeo Santana on the long-running sitcom ‘The Steve Harvey Show’. Before this breakout role, he appeared as Stanley in ‘The Cosby Show’ and had a recurring part on ‘Moesha’. His career began as a child model and commercial actor before he transitioned into more prominent television and film work. Santana was 26 years old when he was fatally shot while sitting in a parked car in Los Angeles in 2002. His talent was recognized with multiple nominations at the ALMA Awards and Image Awards.

Tupac Shakur

While widely celebrated as a legendary rapper, Tupac Shakur established himself as a powerful dramatic actor in several influential films. He made his feature film debut as Bishop in the 1992 crime drama ‘Juice’ and starred opposite Janet Jackson in ‘Poetic Justice’. His acting credits also include roles in the basketball film ‘Above the Rim’ and the posthumously released ‘Gridlock’d’. Shakur was 25 years old when he died following a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in 1996. His performance in ‘Gang Related’ remains one of his final contributions to the screen.

Cameron Boyce

Cameron Boyce was a prominent figure on the Disney Channel, starring in the comedy series ‘Jessie’ and the successful ‘Descendants’ film franchise. He began his professional acting career at age nine with a role in the horror film ‘Mirrors’ and later appeared in the ‘Grown Ups’ film series. Beyond acting, Boyce was recognized for his philanthropic efforts, particularly his work with the Thirst Project to provide clean water to developing nations. He passed away at the age of 20 in 2019 due to complications from epilepsy. His family established a foundation in his name to support various social causes he championed.

Chance Perdomo

Chance Perdomo was an English-American actor who earned a BAFTA nomination for his performance in the 2018 television film ‘Killed by My Debt’. He achieved international fame for his role as Ambrose Spellman in the Netflix series ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’. Most recently, he starred as Andre Anderson in the superhero spin-off series ‘Gen V’. Perdomo also appeared in the ‘After’ film series, portraying the character Landon Gibson. He passed away at the age of 27 in 2024 following a motorcycle accident.

De’Angelo Wilson

De’Angelo Wilson was an actor and hip-hop artist best known for his role as DJ Iz in the 2002 film ‘8 Mile’. He also appeared in the biographical drama ‘Antwone Fisher’ and the comedy film ‘The Salon’. His television work included roles in ‘The Shield’ and ‘CSI: NY’ during the mid-2000s. Wilson was originally from Dayton, Ohio, and pursued his career in Los Angeles before relocating to Florida. He was 29 years old when he passed away in 2008.

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