Al Matthews (actor)
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Other people". Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Main otherScript error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image Alexander Basil Matthews (November 21, 1942 – September 22, 2018), commonly known as Al Matthews, was an American actor, singer, and radio personality.[1] He was best known for his appearance as Gunnery sergeant Apone in the 1986 film Aliens.
Early life and military career
Matthews was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 21, 1942. He was a member of the United States Marine Corps who graduated at Parris Island on May 25, 1966, and served during the Vietnam War.[2][3][4] On his website, he stated:
I spent six years in the United States Marine Corps; I hold thirteen combat awards and decorations, including two purple hearts. I was the first black Marine in the 1st Marine Division in Vietnam to be meritoriously promoted to the rank of sergeant; I served with Kilo Battery, Fourth Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, of that I am very proud.
Acting and musical career
Music
Similar to US supply sergeant Chuck Bennett who was stationed in Germany, sang soul music and had a couple of chart hits as well as acted,[5][6][7] Matthews was stationed away from his home and he had an earlier career in music.[8]
In 1975, he scored a musical hit in the UK Singles Chart, "Fool", which reached number 16 in the fall of that year.[9] One of the session singers on the record was Maxine Nightingale who had appeared in the German production of Hair in the early 1970s. Pierre Tubbs who produced Matthews' hit was impressed with Nightingale and he asked Nightingale's Hair co-star, J. Vincent Edwards to co-write a song with him which turned out to be “Right Back Where We Started From”.[10]
In August 1976, Al Matthews & the Last Word were appearing at the Clouds in Brixton, The Pavilion in Bath and the BLue Lagaoon in Newquay.[11]
In 1977, he recorded the single "It's Only Love". Backed with "Stormy Days and Lonely Nights" it was released on Mercury 6007 152.[12]
In 1978, he released the single "People Are People" / "Run to You".[13]
At some stage, Alan Mair played bass in the Al Matthews Band.[14]
Film
Matthews played various acting roles, such as Ferguson in Rough Cut (1980), a workman in Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981), a Vietnam veteran in The Sender (1982), a fire chief in Superman III (1983), Benedict in The American Way (1986), Sergeant Apone in Aliens (1986), General Tudor in The Fifth Element (1997) and Master Sergeant #3 in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). He also worked in British television, appearing in Grange Hill as Sam Green, the father of Benny Green, as well as in theater and radio; for the latter, as both an actor (on BBC Radio 4) and a presenter (on BBC Radio 1 and Capital Radio).[9]
He reprised his Aliens role 27 years later, providing the voice of Apone for the video game Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013).
Death
On September 22, 2018, Matthews was found unresponsive by a neighbor in his Orihuela, Spain, home. Matthews had retired there in 2005 after working in the United Kingdom.[1] He was later pronounced dead at age 75. Local reports claim he had battled severe illnesses over the years.[1][15]
In popular culture
Matthews' portrayal of Sgt. Apone was the inspiration for Sgt. Avery Johnson of the Halo franchise.[1][16]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | The Butterfly Ball | Himself | |
| 1979 | Yanks | Black G.I. at Dance | |
| 1980 | Rough Cut | Ferguson | |
| 1981 | Omen III: The Final Conflict | Chicago Workman | |
| Ragtime | Maitre D' | ||
| 1982 | The Sender | Herb | |
| 1983 | Superman III | Fire Chief | |
| Funny Money | 1st Hood | ||
| 1986 | Defense of the Realm | U.S. Controller | |
| The American Way | Benedict | ||
| Aliens | Gunnery Sergeant Apone | ||
| 1987 | Out of Order | U.S. DJ | |
| 1988 | Stormy Monday | Radio DJ | |
| American Roulette | Morrisey | ||
| 1994 | Desmond's | Reverend Marvin Jones | |
| 1997 | The Fifth Element | General Tudor | |
| 1997 | Tomorrow Never Dies | U.S. Master Sergeant | |
| 2018 | The Price of Death | Williamson | Posthumous release |
See also
References
External links
- Template:Official website
- Template:Trim/ Template:PAGENAMEBASE at IMDbTemplate:EditAtWikidataScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Template:PAGENAMEBASE discography at Discogs
- ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Dead link
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Rock'n'Roll-Schallplatten - CHUCK BENNETT (Soul) Template:Webarchive
- ↑ The Stars and Stripes, Wednesday, January 12, 1972 - Page 10 Left Army Awhile to Tour With 'Hair', Soulful Supply Sgt. Cuts Discs By Rich Kraham Template:Webarchive
- ↑ Gripsweat - 7" Vinyl - CHUCK BENNET - I Can Feel It Template:Webarchive
- ↑ Stars and Stripes, September 25, 2018 - Al Matthews, Marine veteran who played Apone in 'Aliens,' dies at 75 By MARTIN EGNASH Template:Webarchive
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Pop Dose, January 28, 2016 - Soul Serenade: Maxine Nightingale, “Right Back Where We Started From” Template:Webarchive
- ↑ New Musical Express, August 14, 1976 - Page 32 NATIONWIDE GIG GUIDE, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY Template:Webarchive
- ↑ hitparade.ch - Al Matthews – It's Only Love Template:Webarchive
- ↑ Disco Savvy - 1978 Disco, Disco Music released during 1978: Template:Webarchive
- ↑ The Sunday Post, July 26, 2021 - The Beatstalkers rocker Alan Mair remembers famous friends and reveals his comeback at 74 By Tracey Bryce Template:Webarchive
- ↑ *Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Pages with script errors
- 1942 births
- 2018 deaths
- 20th-century African-American male actors
- 20th-century African-American male singers
- 20th-century American male actors
- 20th-century American male singers
- 20th-century American singers
- 21st-century African-American male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- African Americans in the Vietnam War
- African-American radio personalities
- African-American United States Navy personnel
- American expatriate male actors
- American expatriates in England
- American expatriates in Spain
- American male film actors
- American male radio actors
- American male television actors
- American male video game actors
- American male voice actors
- Male actors from Brooklyn
- Military personnel from New York City
- Radio personalities from New York City
- Singers from Brooklyn
- United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War
- United States Marines