Al Matthews (actor)

Al Matthews
Al Matthews
Born	Alexander Basil Matthews; November 21, 1942; Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	September 22, 2018 (aged 75); Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Occupations	Actor; singer; songwriter; United States Marine sergeant;
Years active	1975–1997, 2011–2018
Known for	Aliens (1986)
Awards	13, including 2 Purple Hearts

Alexander Basil Matthews (November 21, 1942 – September 22, 2018) was an American actor and singer, 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.

Military career

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. 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

Music

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, Matthews was stationed away from his home and he had an earlier career in music.

In 1975, he scored a musical hit in the UK Singles Chart, "Fool", which reached number 16 in the fall of that year. 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”.

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.

In 1977, he recorded the single, "It's Only Love". Backed with "Stormy Days and Lonely Nights" it was released on Mercury 6007 152.

In 1978, he released the single, "People Are People" / "Run to You".

At some stage, Alan Mair played bass in the Al Matthews Band.

Film

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).

Death

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. He was later pronounced dead at age 75. Local reports claim he had battled severe illnesses over the years.

Filmography

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

References

External links