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Slain Actor Merlin Santana Was My Childhood Crush

Merlin Santana
Merlin Santana

I can't believe that someone would actually take it upon himself or herself to kill Latino actor Merlin Santana, a.k.a. Romeo from the TV series "The Steve Harvey Show." He was one of the few ethnic entertainers to make it to the television screen.

Santana was shot and killed Nov. 9 in Los Angeles. Born in New York to parents from the Dominican Republic, he became an accomplished actor who received ALMA and NAACP Image Awards nominations. The ALMA awards honor Hispanic performers. Santana also guest-starred in the television series "Moesha" and "Sister, Sister."

Santana also played the Stanley character, Rudy Huxtable's admirer, on "The Cosby Show." I remember when Santana used to fight with Stanley for Rudy's attention. I was a partial "hater" on Rudy and when I entered middle school, I was hoping that all of the guys looked like Stanley.

After "The Cosby Show," Santana other guest-starring roles came on "Law and Order," "Major Dad," and "NYPD Blue" and "JAG."

He was also a regular on "Getting By" and "Under One Roof." In the last two years, he appeared in such films as "Showtime," with Robert DeNiro and Eddie Murphy, "Holla" and "Play'd: A Hip Hop Story."

It's going to be hard watching the reruns of "The Steve Harvey Show" showing Santana's character, Romeo, and Bullethead creating classic scams for Mr. Hightower to figure out by the end of the show.

Romeo felt secure about not being the brightest student in high school. Who can forget the episode where Romeo had to live with Mr. Hightower and he and Bullethead fought over a girl who ended up playing both of them?

Who could forget those classic screen moments of him lifting up his shirt or taking it off for the ladies to scream?

He seemed like a real sweetheart. His smile made you fall in love all over again. Brothers felt they could relate to him.

Santana always made you laugh while trying to holler at every chick who passed by. I always wanted to be that chick that he chased after.

Santana helped bring out the physical beauty for men of color by posing for the women's eye candy, "The Alaye Calendar." He always came off as a masculine brother who wasn't afraid to show his sensitive side.

R&B recording artist 3rd Storee said, "We've seen his work on the comedy show, 'The Steve Harvey Show.' It's just sad to lose a talented actor because he was seen as cool and down to earth."

Two men, Damien Gates, 20, and Brandon Bynes, 23, both of Los Angeles, were arrested Nov. 21 for investigation of murder and were being held without bail, according to media reports. A 15-year-old girl, a runaway, was also charged with murder in Santana's death. Her identity has not been made public because of her age. Authorities said they had all three suspects they were seeking.

Santana was the epitome of a beautiful, ethnic, young and talented individual. He brought us humor, smiles and hope for our generation. I lost my childhood crush and future boyfriend (that my mother would approve of).

Trina Logan is a student at North Carolina A&T University. She writes for The A&T Register.



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