 |
Merlin Thomas SantanaAmerican actor
Date of Birth: 14.03.1976
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Merlin Thomas Santana
Merlin Thomas Santana was an American actor, best known for his role as Romeo Santana in the television series "The Steve Harvey Show" on the WB channel. He was born on March 14, 1976, in Manhattan, New York, to Dominican Republic immigrants.
Early Life and Career
Growing up in a poor neighborhood with high teenage crime rates, Santana's parents wanted to protect him from the influence of the streets. At the age of three, his mother took him to a talent agency, and he began his career in show business. His first job was appearing in commercials for a fast-food restaurant chain. When he was nine years old, Santana made his big-screen debut as an extra in Woody Allen's romantic drama "The Purple Rose Of Cairo".
In 1991, at the age of fifteen, Santana landed a role in two episodes of the sitcom "Major Dad" and also appeared in "Law & Order". However, it was his portrayal of Stanley, a devoted admirer of Rudy, the main character's daughter, in "The Cosby Show" that caught the attention of casting agents. Santana's performance was so vivid that it led to more opportunities.
Breakthrough and Success
In 1993, Santana became part of the main cast of the sitcom "Getting By" from 1993 to 1994. Although the series was canceled after 31 episodes, Santana was offered subsequent roles, including Marcus Henry in the family drama "Under One Roof" and Derrick Davis in "Street Gears". From 1996 to 1999, he appeared in several episodes of the teen series "Moesha" as Ohagi, a friend of the main character.
Santana's biggest success came with his role as Romeo Santana, a stylish and popular student, in the sitcom "The Steve Harvey Show" which aired from 1996 to 2002. He appeared in all 122 episodes across six seasons. He also had several roles in feature films, including "Flossin" in 2001, "Showtime" with Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro, and "The Blues", which became his final work.
Tragic End
On November 9, 2002, at the age of 26, Santana was tragically killed while sitting in a parked car in South Los Angeles, one of the city's most troubled areas. His funeral took place on November 18, 2002, at St. Raymond's Cemetery in New York, where his family resides. Damien Andre Gates was convicted of Santana's murder and the attempted murder of another individual who was with him in the car. Gates received three life sentences plus an additional 70 years. Brandon Douglas Baines pleaded guilty to intentional murder and assault with a firearm and was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Monique King, a 15-year-old accomplice who falsely accused Santana of attempted rape and instigated the attack, received 8 years of imprisonment.
