Summary
Alexander Basil Matthews (November 21, 1942 – September 22, 2018) was an American actor and singer,[1] best known for his appearance as Gunnery Sergeant Apone in the James Cameron film Aliens (1986). He reprised his role 27 years later, providing the voice of Apone for the video game Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013). Matthews' portrayal of Apone was the inspiration for Sgt. Avery Johnson of the Halo franchise.[2][1]
Al Matthews | |
|---|---|
| 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 2 Purple Hearts |
Military career edit
Matthews was a member of the United States Marine Corps who graduated at Parris Island on May 25, 1966, and served during the Vietnam War.[3][4][5] 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 edit
Music edit
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,[6][7][8] Matthews was stationed away from his home and he had an earlier career in music.[9]
In 1975, he scored a musical hit in the UK Singles Chart, "Fool", which reached number 16 in the fall of that year.[10] 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”.[11]
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.[12]
In 1977, he recorded the single, "It's Only Love". Backed with "Stormy Days and Lonely Nights" it was released on Mercury 6007 152.[13]
In 1978, he released the single, "People Are People" / "Run to You".[14]
At some stage, Alan Mair played bass in the Al Matthews Band.[15]
Film edit
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).[10]
Death edit
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][16]
Filmography edit
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Workman | |
| 1981 | Ragtime | Maitre D' | |
| 1982 | The Sender | Viet Nam Veteran | |
| 1983 | Superman III | Fire Chief | |
| 1983 | Funny Money | 1st Hood | |
| 1986 | Defense of the Realm | First U.S. Controller | |
| 1986 | The American Way | Benedict | |
| 1986 | Aliens | Gunnery Sergeant Apone | |
| 1987 | Out of Order | U.S. DJ | |
| 1988 | Stormy Monday | Radio DJ | |
| 1988 | American Roulette | Morrisey | |
| 1994 | Desmond's | Reverend Marvin Jones | |
| 1997 | The Fifth Element | General Tudor | |
| 1997 | Tomorrow Never Dies | Master Sergeant 3 | |
| 2018 | The Price of Death | Williamson | Posthumous release; Final film role |
See also edit
Biography portal
References edit
- ^ 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.
- ^ Grazier, Kevin (May 2, 2007). "'Halo' Science 101". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
- ^ 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]
- ^ Egnash, Martin. "Al Matthews, Marine veteran who played Apone in 'Aliens,' dies at 75". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved September 24, 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Rogers-Dillion, Nicolas. "Veteran Of The Day Marine Corps – Veteran Al Matthews". US Department of Veteran Affairs. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
- ^ Rock'n'Roll-Schallplatten - CHUCK BENNETT (Soul) Archived July 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 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
- ^ Gripsweat - 7" Vinyl - CHUCK BENNET - I Can Feel It Archived July 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 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
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 355. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Pop Dose, January 28, 2016 - Soul Serenade: Maxine Nightingale, “Right Back Where We Started From” Archived August 5, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ New Musical Express, August 14, 1976 - Page 32 NATIONWIDE GIG GUIDE, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY Archived June 23, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ hitparade.ch - Al Matthews – It's Only Love Archived August 5, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Disco Savvy - 1978 Disco, Disco Music released during 1978: Archived August 5, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 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
- ^ *"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.
- "Al Matthews, Cigar-Chomping Sgt. Apone in 'Aliens,' Dies at 75". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
- "Aliens star Al Matthews dies, aged 75". RTÉ. September 24, 2018. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.