Expand / Collapse search
☰
Extreme Heat Warning
until SAT 8:00 PM MST, Tohono O'odham Nation including Sells, Southeast Pinal County including Kearny/Mammoth/Oracle, Western Pima County including Ajo/Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford, Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales, Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson, South Central Pinal County including Eloy/Picacho Peak State Park, Eastern Cochise County below 5000 ft including Douglas/Wilcox, Buckeye/Avondale, Northwest Valley, Scottsdale/Paradise Valley, Gila River Valley, Deer Valley, Tonopah Desert, Superior, New River Mesa, Yuma County, Central La Paz, Gila Bend, South Mountain/Ahwatukee, Cave Creek/New River, Aguila Valley, Southeast Yuma County, North Phoenix/Glendale, West Pinal County, Sonoran Desert Natl Monument, East Valley, Kofa, Southeast Valley/Queen Creek, Rio Verde/Salt River, Fountain Hills/East Mesa, Central Phoenix, San Carlos, Northwest Pinal County, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Parker Valley
5
Extreme Heat Warning
from WED 10:00 AM MST until FRI 8:00 PM MST, Grand Canyon Country, Yavapai County Valleys and Basins
Extreme Heat Warning
until FRI 8:00 PM MST, Lake Havasu and Fort Mohave, Tonto Basin, Dripping Springs, Globe/Miami
Air Quality Alert
until THU 9:00 PM MST, Pinal County
Air Quality Alert
until FRI 9:00 PM MST, Maricopa County

Samuel Monroe Jr., ‘Menace II Society’ actor, dies at 52

By
FOX Local
Entertainment
Published August 27, 2026 10:06 AM MST
Published August 27, 2026 10:06 AM MST
article

Samuel Monroe Jr. (aka "Caffamilliano") arrives at the 28th Annual Pan African Film Festival - "She Ball" Premiere at Cinemark Baldwin Hills on February 21, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

The Brief

    • Samuel Monroe Jr. died at age 52 after battling meningitis.
    • He was best known for his role in "Menace II Society."
    • Monroe also appeared in several films and television shows.

Actor Samuel Monroe Jr., known for his role in "Menace II Society," has died after a battle with meningitis, according to his family. He was 52.

What they're saying:

"I want to thank all of my Facebook family and friends new and old for praying for Samuel Monroe, Jr., my son. But today God called him home. Please honor my final request to pray for the family especially his 3 children." his mother posted on Facebook.

RELATED: Busy Philipps diagnosed with rare brain tumor after undergoing body scan her doctor told her she didn't 'need'

Dig deeper:

According to TMZ, Monroe was hospitalized in April with a severe case of meningitis, MRSA pneumonia and other medical issues. MRSA pneumonia is a serious lung infection.

The backstory:

He began his acting career in 1993 with his role in "Menace II Society." His other film credits included "Tales From The Hood," "Set It Off," "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood" and "The Player's Club."

Monroe also appeared in television shows including "NYPD Blue," "Murder One," "Smart Guy," "Southland" and "The Lion’s Den."

RELATED: Celebrity deaths of 2026: The entertainers and artists we lost this year

TMZ also reported that in recent weeks, Monroe was involved in a legal dispute between his mother and Shawna Stewart, his alleged wife. His mother filed a petition seeking a conservatorship and questioned whether Stewart was legally married to her son.

Stewart told TMZ that she had Monroe’s power of attorney and oversaw his finances. She said Monroe did not want his mother making decisions about his finances or quality of life.

The Source: Information in this story came from Samuel Monroe Jr.’s family, including a Facebook post from his mother, as well as previous TMZ reporting on his hospitalization, health issues and recent conservatorship dispute. This story was reported from Los Angeles. 

EntertainmentU.S.News