Merlin Santana
Updated: 12/20/2025, 1:51:30 PM Wikipedia source
Merlin Santana (March 14, 1976 – November 9, 2002) was an American actor and rapper. Beginning his career in the early 1990s, Santana was best known for his roles as Marcus Dixon on Getting By, Marcus Henry in Under One Roof and Romeo Santana on The WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show (1996–2002). On November 9, 2002, Santana was shot dead in Los Angeles by 19-year-old Damien Andre Gates, ordered by Gates' girlfriend Monique King, who falsely accused Santana of making sexual advances towards her.
Infobox
Born
(1976-03-14)March 14, 1976Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Died
November 9, 2002(2002-11-09) (aged 26)Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death
Gunshot wound
Resting place
Saint Raymond's CemeteryThe Bronx, New York, U.S.
Occupations
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Years active
1990–2002
Children
1
Tables
· Filmography › Film
2000
The Smoker
Role(s)
-
Notes
Short
2001
Flossin
Role(s)
Jermaine
2003
The Blues
Role(s)
Goya
Notes
Posthumous release
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1991 | The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez | Newsboy | |
| 1992 | In the Line of Duty: Street War | Mikie | TV movie |
| 2000 | The Smoker | - | Short |
| 2001 | Flossin | Jermaine | |
| 2002 | Showtime | Hector | |
| Play'd: A Hip Hop Story | Mayhem | TV movie | |
| 2003 | The Blues | Goya | Posthumous release |
· Filmography › Television
1991
1991–92
Role(s)
The Cosby Show
Notes
Stanley
1993–94
Role(s)
Getting By
Notes
Marcus Dixon
1995
Street Gear
Role(s)
Derick Davis
Notes
Main role
1995–96
Role(s)
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
Notes
Calvin
1996–2002
Role(s)
The Steve Harvey Show
Notes
Romeo Santana
2002
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1991 | Major Dad | Marvin | Recurring role (season 2) |
| Law & Order | Roneld Griggs | Episode: "Mushrooms" | |
| 1991–92 | The Cosby Show | Stanley | Guest (season 7), recurring (season 8) |
| 1993–94 | Getting By | Marcus Dixon | Main role |
| 1994 | Sister, Sister | Joey | Episode: "Joey's Choice" |
| 1995 | Under One Roof | Marcus Henry | Main role |
| Street Gear | Derick Davis | Main role | |
| 1995–96 | Hangin' with Mr. Cooper | Calvin | Recurring role (season 4) |
| 1996–2002 | The Steve Harvey Show | Romeo Santana | Main role |
| 1997 | NYPD Blue | Warren | Episode: "A Draining Experience" |
| 2002 | JAG | Seaman Aubrey McBride | Episode: "Port Chicago" |
| Half & Half | Dante Aldente | Episode: "The Big Pimpin' Episode" |
References
- The Lawton Constitutionhttps://www.swoknews.com/news/actor-merlin-santana-26-shot-to-death/article_f55bbf22-0e3f-52bc-b636-116f496a3fa2.html
- "Remembering Merlin Santana On His 4-Year Death Anniversary"https://web.archive.org/web/20090825202529/http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2006/11/merlin_santana_death/
- Chicago Tribunehttps://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2002-11-11-0211110231-story.html
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-mar-17-me-king17-story.html
- Jethttps://search.worldcat.org/issn/0021-5996