Actor Samuel Monroe Jr., best known for his unforgettable role as Ilena’s cousin in the 1993 urban crime drama “Menace II Society,” remains on life support and in a medically induced coma after several months in the hospital, TMZ says they’ve learned from his family.
Back on June 2, the outlet said the actor’s brain was “deteriorating.” The 52-year-old has been hospitalized since April, when a severe case of meningitis turned into MRSA-pneumonia and his condition continued to worsen, the outlet explains.
Along with “Menace II Society,” Monroe appeared in the classic ’90s urban films “Set It Off,” “The Players Club,” and “Tales from the Hood.”
He also made several television appearances throughout the decade, including roles in “NYPD Blue,” “Smart Guys,” “Black Jesus,” and “Out All Night.”
Samuel Monroe Jr. Update: Report Says Actor is Facing Possible ‘Vegetative State’
In TMZ’s latest update published August 8, the outlet says his wife Shawna Stewart told them Monroe’s brain “continues to swell because ventricles have enlarged … and they’re not holding the cerebral fluid, which is resulting in seizures.” They added he’s already had three brain surgeries so far, and his left lung has partially collapsed.
The report goes on to say CT scans monitoring Monroe’s brain activity indicate he may end up in a vegetative state, leaving his family facing heartbreaking decisions.
The outlet says Monroe is also currently on dialysis, and that Shawna says he will have 3-4 more CT scans before his family decides on their next steps.
GoFundMe Launched in April for Samuel Monroe Jr. Gave More Details
Back in April, a GoFundMe called “Support for Samuel Monroe Jr. & Family” was launched by Monroe’s stepdaughter, Tayonna Stewart.
She wrote that the actor, whom she called “a husband, father, son, brother and friend,” was “fighting for his life as he battles meningitis” and that doctors were predicting he’d require round-the-clock care “for a year or more” if he regained consciousness and was able to be taken off life support, which hasn’t happened yet.
Tayonna also gave an update on how Monroe’s wife Shawna is coping with the tragedy, saying she “has spent many weeks putting her career on hold to stay by her husband’s side, while also handling the emotional and financial responsibilities of caring for their children during this difficult time.”
She also explained what the family plans to do with the funds in the heartbreaking event that Monroe doesn’t survive. She shared, “As the whole family and friends do not want to think negative in the event that SAMUEL is taken home by God. Any funds raise would be put towards a proper and respectful celebration of life for his family, friends and fans to attend.”
The page has raised over $8,000 so far.
Samuel Monroe Jr.’s Mother Joyce Shared an Update Back in May
Around May 2, Monroe’s mother Joyce Patton shared on update after his sister went to visit him.
She wrote at the time that Samuel had been visited by his sister Jen, who reported, “I went to visit Sam this morning so I wanted to share an update. His eyes were open the whole time I was there, except for the last 15 minutes when he dozed off. I was talking to him the entire time and even played him some new hip hop music from my Apple playlist. I really believe he can hear us—he was moving his mouth like he was trying to communicate with me several times, which made me so happy. I asked him to squeeze my hand a few times but he didn’t. I also wiped his tears a couple of times. Overall, the visit went well and the prayers are definitely working.”
