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Al Matthews (actor)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other people named Al Matthews, see Al Matthews (disambiguation).

Al Matthews
Matthews c. 1986
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
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • United States Marine sergeant
Years active1975–1997, 2011–2018
Known forAliens (1986)
Awards13, including 2 Purple Hearts

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. He reprised his role 27 years later, providing the voice of Apone for the video game Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013).

Early life and military career

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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

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Music

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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

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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]

Death

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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]

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Matthews' portrayal of Sgt. Apone was the inspiration for Sgt. Avery Johnson of the Halo franchise.[1][16]

Filmography

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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

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Burgos, Rafa (September 24, 2018). "Actor Al Matthews, Apone in 'Aliens,' found dead in Spain". El País. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  2. ^ Snow, Shaun. "Actor Al Matthews, Marine vet who played Gunnery Sgt. Apone in 'Aliens,' dies at 75". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved September 24, 2018.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Egnash, Martin. "Al Matthews, Marine veteran who played Apone in 'Aliens,' dies at 75". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved September 24, 2018.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Rogers-Dillion, Nicolas. "Veteran Of The Day Marine Corps – Veteran Al Matthews". US Department of Veteran Affairs. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  5. ^ Rock'n'Roll-Schallplatten - CHUCK BENNETT (Soul) Archived July 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ 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 Archived July 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Gripsweat - 7" Vinyl - CHUCK BENNET - I Can Feel It Archived July 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Stars and Stripes, September 25, 2018 - Al Matthews, Marine veteran who played Apone in 'Aliens,' dies at 75 By MARTIN EGNASH Archived August 5, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 355. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  10. ^ Pop Dose, January 28, 2016 - Soul Serenade: Maxine Nightingale, “Right Back Where We Started From” Archived August 5, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ New Musical Express, August 14, 1976 - Page 32 NATIONWIDE GIG GUIDE, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY Archived June 23, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ hitparade.ch - Al Matthews – It's Only Love Archived August 5, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Disco Savvy - 1978 Disco, Disco Music released during 1978: Archived August 5, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ The Sunday Post, July 26, 2021 - The Beatstalkers rocker Alan Mair remembers famous friends and reveals his comeback at 74 By Tracey Bryce Archived August 5, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ *"Al Matthews' memorable roles from Aliens to Grange Hill as the actor dies age 75". Metro News-UK. September 24, 2018. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  16. ^ Grazier, Kevin (May 2, 2007). "'Halo' Science 101". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
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