Alexander Basil Matthews(November 21, 1942 – September 22, 2018), commonly known asAl Matthews,was an American actor, singer, and radio personality.[1]He was best known for his appearance asGunnery sergeantApone in the 1986 filmAliens.
Al Matthews | |
|---|---|
 Matthewsc.1986 | |
| Born | Alexander Basil Matthews November 21, 1942 Brooklyn, New York,U.S. |
| Died | September 22, 2018(aged 75) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1975–1997, 2011–2018 |
| Known for | Aliens(1986) |
| Awards | 13, including 2Purple Hearts |
Early life and military career
editMatthews was born inBrooklyn, New Yorkon November 21, 1942. He was a member of theUnited States Marine Corpswho graduated at Parris Island on May 25, 1966, and served during theVietnam 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 the1st Marine Divisionin 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
editMusic
editSimilar to US supply sergeantChuck Bennettwho 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 musicalhitin theUK Singles Chart,"Fool", which reached number 16 in the fall of that year.[9]One of the session singers on the record wasMaxine Nightingalewho had appeared in the German production ofHairin the early 1970s.Pierre Tubbswho produced Matthews' hit was impressed with Nightingale and he asked Nightingale'sHairco-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 onMercury6007 152.[12]
In 1978, he released the single "People Are People" / "Run to You".[13]
At some stage,Alan Mairplayed bass in the Al Matthews Band.[14]
Film
editMatthews played various acting roles, such as Ferguson inRough Cut(1980), a workman inOmen III: The Final Conflict(1981), a Vietnam veteran inThe Sender(1982), a fire chief inSuperman III(1983), Benedict inThe American Way(1986), Sergeant Apone inAliens(1986), General Tudor inThe Fifth Element(1997) and Master Sergeant #3 inTomorrow Never Dies(1997). He also worked in British television, appearing inGrange Hillas Sam Green, the father of Benny Green, as well as in theater and radio; for the latter, as both an actor (onBBC Radio 4) and a presenter (onBBC Radio 1andCapital Radio).[9]
He reprised hisAliensrole 27 years later, providing the voice of Apone for the video gameAliens: Colonial Marines(2013).
Death
editOn September 22, 2018, Matthews was found unresponsive by a neighbor in hisOrihuela,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
editMatthews' portrayal of Sgt. Apone was the inspiration for Sgt.Avery Johnsonof theHalofranchise.[1][16]
Filmography
edit| 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
edit
References
edit- ^abcdBurgos, Rafa (September 24, 2018)."Actor Al Matthews, Apone in 'Aliens,' found dead in Spain".El País.Archivedfrom the original on September 27, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 27,2018.
- ^Snow, Shaun."Actor Al Matthews, Marine vet who played Gunnery Sgt. Apone in 'Aliens,' dies at 75".Marine Corps Times.RetrievedSeptember 24,2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^Egnash, Martin."Al Matthews, Marine veteran who played Apone in 'Aliens,' dies at 75".Stars and Stripes.RetrievedSeptember 24,2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^Rogers-Dillion, Nicolas."Veteran Of The Day Marine Corps – Veteran Al Matthews".US Department of Veteran Affairs.RetrievedSeptember 25,2018.
- ^Rock'n'Roll-Schallplatten -CHUCK BENNETT (Soul)ArchivedJuly 14, 2023, at theWayback Machine
- ^The Stars and Stripes,Wednesday, January 12, 1972 -Page 10Left Army Awhile to Tour With 'Hair', Soulful Supply Sgt. Cuts DiscsBy Rich KrahamArchivedJuly 14, 2023, at theWayback Machine
- ^Gripsweat -7 "Vinyl - CHUCK BENNET - I Can Feel ItArchivedJuly 14, 2023, at theWayback Machine
- ^ Stars and Stripes,September 25, 2018 -Al Matthews, Marine veteran who played Apone in 'Aliens,' dies at 75 By MARTIN EGNASHArchivedAugust 5, 2023, at theWayback Machine
- ^abRoberts, David (2006).British Hit Singles & Albums(19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 355.ISBN1-904994-10-5.
- ^Pop Dose, January 28, 2016 -Soul Serenade: Maxine Nightingale, “Right Back Where We Started From”ArchivedAugust 5, 2023, at theWayback Machine
- ^New Musical Express,August 14, 1976 -Page 32 NATIONWIDE GIG GUIDE, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAYArchivedJune 23, 2023, at theWayback Machine
- ^hitparade.ch -Al Matthews – It's Only LoveArchivedAugust 5, 2023, at theWayback Machine
- ^Disco Savvy -1978 Disco, Disco Music released during 1978:ArchivedAugust 5, 2023, at theWayback Machine
- ^The Sunday Post,July 26, 2021 -The Beatstalkers rocker Alan Mair remembers famous friends and reveals his comeback at 74 By Tracey BryceArchivedAugust 5, 2023, at theWayback Machine
- ^*"Al Matthews' memorable roles from Aliens to Grange Hill as the actor dies age 75".Metro News-UK.September 24, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on September 25, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 24,2018.
- "Al Matthews, Cigar-Chomping Sgt. Apone in 'Aliens,' Dies at 75".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 27,2018.
- "Aliens star Al Matthews dies, aged 75".RTÉ.September 24, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 27,2018.
- ^Grazier, Kevin (May 2, 2007)."'Halo' Science 101 ".Gamasutra.Archivedfrom the original on October 27, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 27,2018.
External links
edit- Official website
- Al MatthewsatIMDb
- Al Matthewsdiscography atDiscogs