Samuel Monroe Jr., known for Menace II Society and Tales from the Hood, is on life support after contracting meningitis 18 months ago while filming in Las Vegas. His wife, Shawna Stewart, confirmed the news and said he was repeatedly misdiagnosed at several hospitals before the infection went untreated for eight months.
By the time doctors properly identified the illness, Stewart said, it had spread to Monroe’s spine and brain. The family launched a GoFundMe on Monday as his condition worsened, and his mother, Joyce Patton, asked for prayers on Facebook.
The fundraiser said Monroe has been in multiple hospitals and two rehabilitation centers over the last nine months. It also said that if he regains consciousness and comes off life support, he would need around-the-clock care.
The campaign had raised 7% of its $50,000 goal at the time of the article, including a $1,000 contribution from Kurt Alexander. Tayonna Stewart said the family does not want to think negative if Monroe is taken home by God, and that any money raised would go toward a proper and respectful celebration of life for family, friends and fans.
Monroe’s illness has landed hard on a career that began in 1993 with Out All Night opposite Patti LaBelle and a role as Ilena’s cousin in Menace II Society. He later appeared in Tales from the Hood, Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, What Goes Around Comes Around, Set It Off and The Players Club, and he also acted in the 2023 films Packz and Payment Received.
The question now is whether the family can sustain the medical and personal costs of a crisis that has already dragged on for months. Patton said, “God don’t make no mistakes but he is gracious and I am humbly asking for his mercy and grace for Sam. I love you son... to the moon and back 100 times.”
