In a cast filled with memorable characters, Al Matthews enhanced the performances of those around him with his portrayal of Sergeant Apone in Aliens, and we're sad to share the news that the actor and real-life Marine veteran has passed away at the age of 75.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, via the "Spanish international news agency EFE and the El Pais newspaper," Matthews passed away at his home in Alicante, Spain. The cause of death is not known at this time.
In addition to playing Sgt. Apone in James Cameron's Aliens, Matthews voiced the cigar-loving character in the video game Aliens: Colonial Marines. While he is perhaps best known as Sgt. Apone, Matthews also appeared in Superman III, Luc Besson's The Fifth Element, the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies, and the upcoming Western The Price of Death. Matthews also inspired the character Sergeant Major Avery Junior Johnson in the Halo video game franchise.
Playing a military man wasn't just an on-screen role for Matthews, it was something he did in real life, garnering "13 combat awards and two Purple hearts" throughout the course of his nearly six years in Vietnam as a member of the Marine Corps, according to THR.
A true renaissance man, Matthews also contributed to the world of music as a renowned folk singer and disc jockey. Although Matthews may be gone, his work on the screen and his real-life military legacy will live on to inspire future generations. Our thoughts are with Matthews' family and friends during this difficult time.
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
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