African-American Actors Who Died Before They Turned 35

The entertainment industry has been struck by numerous tragedies over the decades, claiming the lives of talented performers long before they reached their full potential. Among these losses are several African-American actors who made significant impacts on television and film during their brief careers. From child stars who grew up in the spotlight to rising leading men and crossover artists, these individuals left behind bodies of work that continue to resonate with audiences today. This article commemorates the lives and professional contributions of male African-American actors who passed away before the age of 35.

Chance Perdomo

Chance Perdomo was an English-American actor who gained international fame for his role as Ambrose Spellman in the Netflix series ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’. He continued his success by starring as Andre Anderson in the superhero series ‘Gen V’, a spin-off of the popular Amazon Prime show ‘The Boys’. Perdomo received a BAFTA TV Award nomination for his performance in the 2018 television film ‘Killed by My Debt’. He was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident in March 2024 at the age of 27.

Harold Hunter

Harold Hunter was a professional skateboarder and actor who became a cultural icon in New York City. He made his film debut in the 1995 cult classic ‘Kids’, playing a fictionalized version of himself within the gritty urban drama. Hunter later appeared in the television series ‘Kung Faux’ and provided a cameo in the film ‘Save the Last Dance’. He was widely recognized for his charismatic personality and deep influence on the global skateboarding community throughout the 1990s. He died in February 2006 at the age of 31.

Justin Pierce

Justin Pierce was a skateboarder and actor who broke into the industry with his raw performance as Casper in the 1995 film ‘Kids’. He followed this breakthrough success with a role in the 2000 comedy ‘Next Friday’, playing the character Roach. Pierce appeared in several other independent projects such as ‘A Brother’s Kiss’ and ‘First Love, Last Rites’ during his five-year career. His work was frequently noted for its authenticity and strong ties to New York City street culture. He passed away in July 2000 at the age of 25.

Lamont Bentley

Lamont Bentley gained widespread recognition for his role as Hakeem Campbell on the long-running UPN sitcom ‘Moesha’. He also portrayed the same character in the spin-off series ‘The Parkers’ and starred in the 1995 horror anthology film ‘Tales from the Hood’. Bentley was a talented performer who also explored music under the stage name Bentley Kyle Evans during his time in the industry. He tragically died in a car accident in January 2005 at the age of 31.

Lee Thompson Young

Lee Thompson Young rose to prominence as the titular character in the Disney Channel series ‘The Famous Jett Jackson’. He later transitioned into adult roles, starring as Detective Barry Frost in the police procedural drama ‘Rizzoli & Isles’. His film credits include the 2004 sports drama ‘Friday Night Lights’, where he played the character Chris Comer. Young was a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he formally studied cinematic arts to enhance his craft. He passed away at the age of 29 in August 2013.

Merlin Santana

Merlin Santana was best known for his portrayal of Romeo Santana on the popular sitcom ‘The Steve Harvey Show’. He began his career as a child actor with appearances on ‘The Cosby Show’ as Stanley, the boyfriend of Rudy Huxtable. Santana also had a recurring role in the series ‘Moesha’ and appeared in the 2002 action-comedy film ‘Showtime’ alongside Eddie Murphy. His career was cut short when he was killed in November 2002 at the age of 26.

Moses J. Moseley

Moses J. Moseley was an actor and model known for his role as one of Michonne’s pet walkers on the hit AMC series ‘The Walking Dead’. He also appeared in major productions such as ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ and the television series ‘Watchmen’. Beyond his work on screen, Moseley was an advocate for mental health awareness and frequently interacted with his fan base at various conventions. His body was discovered in Georgia in early 2022 following a missing persons report. He was 31 years old at the time of his death.

Nipsey Hussle

Ermias Joseph Asghedom, known professionally as Nipsey Hussle, was a Grammy-winning artist and community activist who also pursued an acting career. He made his film debut in the 2007 production ‘I Tried’ and later appeared in the semi-biographical film ‘Caged Animal’. His work extended to television with a guest appearance in the musical comedy series ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’. Hussle was widely respected for his entrepreneurship and dedication to social progress in his Los Angeles neighborhood. He was 33 years old when he was fatally shot in March 2019.

Pop Smoke

Bashar Barakah Jackson, known as Pop Smoke, was a prominent musician who began transitioning into narrative acting shortly before his death. He made his posthumous film debut in the 2021 sports drama ‘Boogie’, where he played the character Monk. His performance was noted by critics for its natural screen presence and dramatic intensity. Pop Smoke also contributed several original songs to the film’s soundtrack, highlighting his multifaceted talent as a performer. He was 20 years old when he was killed in February 2020.

Tupac Shakur

While primarily known as a legendary recording artist, Tupac Shakur established a significant acting career with leading roles in several major films. He made his film debut in ‘Juice’, playing the volatile character Bishop, and went on to star opposite Janet Jackson in ‘Poetic Justice’. Shakur also appeared in ‘Above the Rim’ and the posthumously released ‘Gridlock’d’, showcasing his range in both drama and comedy. He was 25 years old when he died from gunshot wounds in September 1996.

Please share your thoughts on the artistic legacy of these performers in the comments.