Al Matthews (actor)
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| Al Matthews | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alexander Basil Matthews November 21, 1942 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 22, 2018 (aged 75) Orihuela, Alicante, Spain |
| Occupation | 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]
Contents
Military career[edit]
Matthews was a member of the United States Marine Corps, and served during the Vietnam War.[citation needed] On his website, he states:
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[edit]
Matthews has 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 has 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.[3]
Death[edit]
On September 22, 2018, Matthews was found unresponsive by a neighbor in his Orihuela, Spain home. He was later pronounced dead at age 75.[1][4][5]
Filmography[edit]
| 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 | |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 355. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "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[edit]
- 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 singers
- African-American military personnel
- African-American radio personalities
- American expatriate male actors in the United Kingdom
- American male film actors
- American male radio actors
- American male television actors
- American male video game actors
- American male voice actors
- BBC Radio 1 presenters
- 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