UB Celebrates: Merlin Santana On 50th Birthday
A Rising Star, Whos Death Cut Short A Promising Career.
Today March 14th, would of been the 50th Birthday for actor Merlin Santana.
Dominican-born Merlin Santana was a beloved actor, well-known for his memorable performances in television.
Merlin Santana was born in March 14th, 1976 at Upper Manhattan, New York.
Merlin‘s parents were born in Dominican Republic.
He was an accomplished actor that received nominations and awards from The Alma and NAACP Image Awards for his acting roles.
He began his career at the age of 3, as an advertising model for a fast food chain.
He would later appear in 15 commercials.
Merlin Santana’s career in show business began with a push from his parents, who wanted to keep him off the tough streets of New York.
His first screen appearance was as an extra in the Woody Allen film, “The Purple Rose of Cairo” in 1985.
From 1984-1992, he played Stanley the love interest of Rudy Huxtable and Theo‘s student on “The Cosby Show.”
Merlin Santana‘s early acting career continued in roles in television comedies, such as, “Major Dad” (CBS, 1989-1993) and “Getting By” (1992-94).
He also appeared in “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper” and in the TV movie “In the Line of Duty: Street War.”
In the late 90s, he shifted his entertainment career towards more dramatic roles, appearing on “NYPD Blue,” “Under One Roof” and “Matt Waters.”
Between 1996 and 1999, he co-starred along Brandy as Ohagi in the series “Moesha.”
Then came his best-known role, smooth-talking Romeo Santana on the popular WB series “The Steve Harvey Show” in 1996.
The series ran until 2002.
Steve Harvey stated the series was based around his character: “Primarily, I think, it’s a love story between a man and a boy, between myself and the kid who plays Romeo (Merlin Santana),” stated Steve Harvey, referring to the tough – talking teen he confronts on his first day at school.
“This kid’s at a crossroads where he can make a decision to go one way or another, and I’m there at a critical point in his life to become a check -and -balance for him.”
After the series, he experienced a drought in acting roles.
He found the roles, TV and movie, were not coming in as he would have hoped.
It is believed that Merlin had severe depression after “The Steve Harvey Show” ended, but instead of staying inside and dealing with his depression, he tried other avenues, one of them being recording a rap album.
He recorded some songs and one being a tune entitled “Nothing to Lose.”
In 2001, he co-starred in the feature “Flossin,” which was directed by Todd Bridges.
He also was featured in the TV movie “Play’d: A Hip Hop Story.”
Merlin also appeared in the Robert De Niro action movie “Showtime” in 2002.
On November 9th, 2002, Merlin Santana was murdered while sitting in a car in Los Angeles, California.
Merlin and his best friend, actor Brandon Adams were in a vehicle in the Crenshaw District area, when the suspect Damien Andre Gates fired the shot that entered through the trunk of the vehicle.
The bullet penetrated the right-front passenger headrest and entered Santana’s head, killing him instantly.
His last television acting role was on the UPN series, “Half & Half,” with his last film being the 2003 comedy, “The Blues” with Deon Richmond.
Merlin Santana‘s song “Nothing to Lose” was featured in “The Door in the Floor” with Jeff Bridges in 2004.
Merlin Santana‘s death was a shock to the entertainment industry.
He was a rising star, and his death was cut short of a very promising career.
As he was poised for even greater success.
