Samuel Monroe Jr., the actor known for appearing in Menace II Society, Tales from the Hood, Set It Off, and The Players Club, has died at age 52.
Monroe died on August 26, 2026, according to his family. His mother, Joyce Patton, confirmed his passing and asked fans to keep the family, particularly his three children, in their prayers.
Monroe made his professional screen debut in 1993, first appearing on television in Out All Night, before landing his breakthrough film role in the Hughes Brothers’ acclaimed crime drama Menace II Society.
His film work continued with Tales from the Hood (1995), the horror anthology in which he played Bulldog. In 1996, he appeared in two very different films: F. Gary Gray’s crime drama Set It Off, playing Lorenz, and the comedy Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, in which he was credited as Sam. The following year, Monroe appeared in Ice Cube’s The Players Club as Junior, Ronnie’s younger brother.
His later film credits included I Got the Hook Up 2, She Ball, Lockdown: 2025, Blood Sacrifice, Shine Kings, Packz and Payment Received. He also continued working in television, with credits including NYPD Blue, Smart Guy, The Steve Harvey Show, The Lyon’s Den, Southland and Black Jesus.
His final released film appears to be Big Packz, a 2025 crime drama directed by Michael Sterling. The film follows an aspiring rapper who moves to Los Angeles to pursue his music ambitions but becomes entangled in the drug trade.
He is survived by his wife, Shawna Stewart; his three children; his stepchildren; his mother, Joyce Patton; and his siblings and extended family.
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