Al Matthews (actor)

Alexander Basil Matthews (November 21, 1942 – September 22, 2018) was an American actor and singer,[1] best known for his appearance as Gunnery Sergeant Apone in the James Cameron film Aliens (1986). He reprised his role 27 years later, providing the voice of Apone for the video game Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013). Matthews' portrayal of Apone was the inspiration for Sgt. Avery Johnson of the Halo franchise.[2][1]

For other people named Al Matthews, see Al Matthews (disambiguation).

Al Matthews
Born
Alexander Basil Matthews

(1942-11-21)November 21, 1942
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 22, 2018(2018-09-22) (aged 75)
Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Occupation(s)Actor, singer, songwriter, United States Marine Sergeant
Years active1975–1997, 2011–2018
Known forAliens (1986)
Awards13, including 2 Purple Hearts
Websitewww.almatthews.co.uk

Military career

Matthews was a member of the United States Marine Corps who graduated at Parris Island on May 25, 1966, and served during the Vietnam War.[3][4][5] 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

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). In 1975, he scored a musical hit in the UK Singles Chart, "Fool", which reached number 16 in the fall of that year.[6]

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][7]

Filmography
Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
1977The Butterfly BallHimself
1979YanksBlack G.I. at Dance
1980Rough CutFerguson
1981Omen III: The Final ConflictWorkman
1981RagtimeMaitre D'
1982The SenderViet Nam Veteran
1983Superman IIIFire Chief
1983Funny Money1st Hood
1986Defense of the RealmFirst U.S. Controller
1986The American WayBenedict
1986AliensGunnery Sergeant Apone
1987Out of OrderU.S. DJ
1988Stormy MondayRadio DJ
1988American RouletteMorrisey
1997The Fifth ElementGeneral Tudor
1997Tomorrow Never DiesMaster Sergeant 3
1994Desmond'sReverend Marvin Jones
2018The Price of DeathWilliamsonPosthumous release; Final film role

See also

References
  1. Burgos, Rafa (September 24, 2018). "Actor Al Matthews, Apone in 'Aliens,' found dead in Spain". El País. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  2. Grazier, Kevin (May 2, 2007). "'Halo' Science 101". Gamasutra. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  3. Snow, Shaun. "Actor Al Matthews, Marine vet who played Gunnery Sgt. Apone in 'Aliens,' dies at 75". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  4. Egnash, Martin. "Al Matthews, Marine veteran who played Apone in 'Aliens,' dies at 75". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  5. Rogers-Dillion, Nicolas. "Veteran Of The Day Marine Corps – Veteran Al Matthews". US Department of Veteran Affairs. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  6. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 355. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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