The family of “Menace II Society” actor Samuel Monroe Jr. is hoping for a miracle recovery almost a year into a dire health battle.
Monroe, 52, who made his major film debut in the 1993 film as a gangster antagonist, has been in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation centers for nine months with meningitis complications.
The actor contracted the life-threatening infection in October 2024 while filming in Las Vegas.
Meningitis causes inflammation and fluid buildup on and around the brain and spinal cord. Some of the hallmark symptoms include neck stiffness, nausea, severe headaches, and light sensitivity. If left untreated, the illness becomes fatal.
For a time, Monroe showed signs of improvement, including the ability to talk and breathe on his own and the return of kidney function.
However, he has remained on life support in a medically induced coma since April. His family will review upcoming CT scans before deciding whether to remove his life support.
Doctors reportedly told his loved ones that the illness could leave the Los Angeles native in a vegetative state due to his illness.
“So sorry to hear this,” a fan wrote, responding to the news.
Another person commented, “This poor dude has gone through enough. Just an awful story and dude didn’t do anything wrong. There is virtually no precaution you could have taken to avoid how this happened.”
"Menace II Society" actor Samuel Monroe Jr. is currently on life support, according to his mother
— Kollege Kidd (@KollegeKidd) April 26, 2026
Other Credits: "Tales From The Hood," "Don't Be A Menace," "Set It Off," "The Players Club" pic.twitter.com/oGrfDSpLym
Monroe’s wife, Shawana Stewart, told Fox News Digital in April, “He went to several different hospitals, where his condition was repeatedly misdiagnosed.” She said, “Because of this negligence, the meningitis went untreated for eight months.”
That same month, Monroe’s stepdaughter, Tayonna Stewart, launched a GoFundMe with a $50,000 goal. Funds will help support his two kids, Kingston, 12, and Brooklyn, 11, and cover recovery costs.
The goal is $50,000, but as of mid-August, just under $9,000 has been raised. Los Angeles radio legend Big Boy contributed $1,000. Several others gave $10 to $300 at a time.
“In the event of Samuel regains consciousness and is removed from life support. Samuel will require round-the-clock care for a year or more the doctors are saying. We have faith and trust that God will carry him through this,” reads the fundraiser’s page.
It continues, “Our family has attempted to work with 2 rehabilitation center, but we feel he was not receiving the level of care he truly required. We would prefer a private facility for Samuel, or his wife, Shawna Stewart, and children would rather have him at home with her and their children.”
Tayonna said the funds would also cover a “proper and respectful celebration of life” if Monroe does not recover.
Charlie Murphy, LisaRaye McCoy, Ice Cube, Alex Thomas, & Samuel Monroe Jr. on the set of The Players Club in 1998 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SXIczkOBzA
— Void Facts (@voidfactss) August 15, 2026
Monroe’s mother, Joyce Patton, shared the latest update on July 31.
“Facebook family, Sam has had over 22 seizures in the past 2 days. He is back in ICU. Please. P. S. Sam went into cardiac arrest yesterday. Please Thank you,” she wrote.
That same day, his wife said Monroe had undergone a third brain surgery but showed no signs of improvement.
“Sam lost all ability to move any part of his body. At that point, he could only move his eyes, and by a week ago, he was barely able to do even that,” Stewart wrote.
She disclosed that her husband began experiencing seizures on July 29. She said, “the swelling in his brain has worsened, and cerebrospinal fluid is now leaking into the brain tissue.”
While responding to a comment, she also revealed that he had experienced shingles and a collapsed left lung.
She also noted, “The biggest issue is that he was misdiagnosed for nine months. There’s already a lot of damage that had been done by meningitis.”
This moment has forced fans to look back on Monroe’s career and his contribution to the acting world.
“He was and is a good, amazing, respected and successful actor. He was my favorite,” one fan wrote while listing several of Monroe’s films.
He’s held memorable roles in “The Players Club, “Set It Off,” “Menace II Society,” and “Tales from the Hood.” He also starred in parody films like, “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood” and “Black Jesus.”
His later credits include “She Ball,” and “I Got the Hook Up 2,” alongside Master P and late actor Anthony Johnson. His last credited role on IMDB was Jerome in the Tubi film “Packz.”
