Al Matthews (actor)
Al Matthews | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alexander Basil Matthews November 21, 1942 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 22, 2018 (aged 75) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor Singer Songwriter United States Marine Sergeant |
| Years active | 1975–1997, 2011–2018 |
| Known for | Aliens (1986) |
| Awards | 13, including 2 Purple Hearts |
| Website | www |
Alexander Basil Matthews (November 21, 1942 – September 22, 2018) was an American actor and singer,[1] best known for his appearance as Gunnery Sergeant Apone in the James Cameron film Aliens (1986). He reprised his role 27 years later, providing the voice of Apone for the video game Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013). Matthews' portrayal of Apone was the inspiration for Sgt. Avery Johnson of the Halo franchise.[2][1]
Military career
Matthews was a member of the United States Marine Corps who graduated at Parris Island on 25 May 1966, and served during the Vietnam War. [3][4][5] On his website, he stated:
I spent six years in the United States Marine Corps; I hold thirteen combat awards and decorations, including two purple hearts. I was the first black Marine in the 1st Marine Division in Vietnam to be meritoriously promoted to the rank of sergeant; I served with Kilo Battery, Fourth Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, of that I am very proud.
Acting and musical career
Matthews played various acting roles, such as Ferguson in Rough Cut (1980), a workman in Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981), a Vietnam veteran in The Sender (1982), a fire chief in Superman III (1983), Benedict in The American Way (1986), General Tudor in The Fifth Element (1997) and Master Sergeant #3 in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). He also worked in British television, appearing in Grange Hill as Sam Green, the father of Benny Green, as well as in theater and radio; for the latter, as both an actor (on BBC Radio 4) and a presenter (on BBC Radio 1 and Capital Radio). In 1975, he scored a musical hit in the UK Singles Chart, "Fool", which reached number 16 in the fall of that year.[6]
Death
On September 22, 2018, Matthews was found unresponsive by a neighbor in his Orihuela, Spain home. He was later pronounced dead at age 75. Local reports claim he had battled severe illnesses over the years.[1][7]
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1977 | The Butterfly Ball | Himself | |
| 1979 | Yanks | Black G.I. at Dance | |
| 1980 | Rough Cut | Ferguson | |
| 1981 | Omen III: The Final Conflict | Workman | |
| 1981 | Ragtime | Maitre D' | |
| 1982 | The Sender | Viet Nam Veteran | |
| 1983 | Superman III | Fire Chief | |
| 1983 | Funny Money | 1st Hood | |
| 1986 | Defense of the Realm | First U.S. Controller | |
| 1986 | The American Way | Benedict | |
| 1986 | Aliens | Gunnery Sergeant Apone | |
| 1987 | Out of Order | U.S. DJ | |
| 1988 | Stormy Monday | Radio DJ | |
| 1988 | American Roulette | Morrisey | |
| 1997 | The Fifth Element | General Tudor | |
| 1997 | Tomorrow Never Dies | Master Sergeant 3 | |
| 1994 | Desmond's | Reverend Marvin Jones | |
| 2018 | The Price of Death | Williamson | Posthumous release; Final film role |
See also
References
- ^ a b c Burgos, Rafa (24 September 2018). "Actor Al Matthews, Apone in 'Aliens,' found dead in Spain". El País. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ Grazier, Kevin. "'Halo' Science 101". Gamasutra. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ Snow, Shaun. "Actor Al Matthews, Marine vet who played Gunnery Sgt. Apone in 'Aliens,' dies at 75". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved 24 September 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Egnash, Martin. "Al Matthews, Marine veteran who played Apone in 'Aliens,' dies at 75". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Rogers-Dillion, Nicolas. "Veteran Of The Day Marine Corps - Veteran Al Matthews". US Department of Veteran Affairs. Retrieved 25 September 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 355. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^
- "Al Matthews' memorable roles from Aliens to Grange Hill as the actor dies age 75". Metro News-UK. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- "Al Matthews, Cigar-Chomping Sgt. Apone in 'Aliens,' Dies at 75". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- "Aliens star Al Matthews dies, aged 75". RTÉ. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
- 1942 births
- 2018 deaths
- 20th-century American male actors
- 20th-century American singers
- 21st-century American male actors
- African-American male actors
- African-American male singers
- American male singers
- African-American military personnel
- African-American radio personalities
- American male film actors
- American male radio actors
- American male television actors
- American male video game actors
- American male voice actors
- Male actors from New York City
- Military personnel from New York City
- Musicians from Brooklyn
- Radio personalities from New York City
- Singers from New York City
- United States Marines
- 20th-century male singers
- United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War