Menace II Society Actor Samuel Monroe Jr Dead At 52 - Details

Menace II Society actor Samuel Monroe Jr. has sadly died at 52 following a battle with meningitis.

According to TMZ on Thursday morning, Sam’s mother, Joyce Patton, said the actor died around 10:24 p.m. on Wednesday night at a hospital. She also shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, writing that “today God called him home” and asking for prayers for her family, particularly Sam’s three children.

This comes after Sam was hospitalized back in April with a severe case of meningitis, MRSA pneumonia, a serious lung infection, and other medical issues. TMZ reported this morning that when it contacted the hospital on Thursday, a representative said Sam had been discharged alive after that prior health bout.

Sam began his acting career in 1993, landing his best-known role in Menace II Society. He went on to appear in several other memorable films, including Tales From The Hood, Set It Off, Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, and The Player’s Club.

His television credits included NYPD Blue, Murder One, Smart Guy, Southland, and The Lion’s Den.

In recent months, per the news outlet, Sam was also involved in a legal dispute between his mother and Shawna Stewart, who was described as his alleged wife. Patton sought a conservatorship for her son while questioning whether Stewart was legally married to him.

Stewart, for her part, told TMZ that she held Sam’s power of attorney and handled his finances — adding that Sam did not want his mother making decisions about his finances or quality of life.

Now, amid all that, Sam’s loved ones are facing an unimaginable loss. He leaves behind three children and a body of work that made an impact on fans of ’90s film and television.