Monroe’s family says his condition was misdiagnosed and left untreated for eight months.

Menace II Society actor Samuel Monroe Jr. on life support amid battle with meningitis

Monroe's family says his condition was misdiagnosed and left untreated for eight months.

By Staff Author

April 28, 2026 11:40 a.m. ET

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- Actor Samuel Monroe Jr. is on life support amid a battle with meningitis.

- His family says he hasn't received proper treatment and was misdiagnosed for months.

- Monroe Jr. is best known for appearing in films like *Menace II Society* and *Tales From the Hood*.

Samuel Monroe Jr., best known for '90s films including *Menace II Society* and *Tales From the Hood*, is on life support amid a battle with meningitis.

Monroe's wife, Shawna Stewart, told *Fox News Digital* that their family has "been fighting over the past nine months to keep him alive due to meningitis."

"Around 18 months ago, Samuel was in Las Vegas filming, and unfortunately, that is where he contracted meningitis," Stewart's statement read. "He went to several different hospitals, where his condition was repeatedly misdiagnosed and because of this negligence, the meningitis went untreated for eight months."

Stewart added that by the time Monroe's condition was properly diagnosed, the meningitis had spread to his brain and spine.

"Samuel’s wife, Shawna, his children Kingston Monroe, Brooklynn Monroe, and his mother Joyce, his step children along with his siblings and extended family, are asking everyone to keep him in their prayers, as Samuel remains on life support due to meningitis," the statement concluded.

Monroe's mother, Joyce Patton, also shared a note on Facebook asking for prayers for her son.

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"God don’t make no mistakes but he is gracious and I am humbly asking for his mercy and grace for Sam," she wrote alongside pictures of Monroe. "I love you son. 🥰🥰🥰 to the moon and back 100 times. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿."

According to TMZ, the 52-year-old actor has been receiving treatment at a Southern California hospital. His loved ones also shared a GoFundMe page to help Monroe's family manage medical bills and his care.

Samuel Monroe Jr. in 'Menace II Society'.

New Line Cinema

"The emotional and financial strain on his family has been immense, over the last nine months with Samuel being in multiple hospitals and two rehabilitation centers," the fundraising page reads. "SAMUEL's mother Joyce and his wife, Shawna, siblings, and some of SAMUEL's good friends have spent months traveling back-and-forth to hospitals, Rehabilitation Center for over more than nine months. 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."

The page noted that his family does not believe he's received the proper treatments and would "prefer a private facility" or an in-home nurse so they "can closely oversee and support his medical care."

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"His wife, Shawna, has spent many weeks putting her career on hold to stay by her husband’s side, while also handling the emotional and financial responsibilities of caring for their children during this difficult time," the note continued. "As the whole family and friends do not want to think negative in the event that SAMUEL is taken home by God. Any funds raise[d] would be put towards a proper and respectful celebration of life for his family, friends and fans to attend."

Monroe's film and TV credits include *Set It Off*, *The Players Club*, *Out All Night*, *NYPD Blue, *and* Southland*. Following *Menace II Society*, he also appeared in Shawn and Marlon Wayans' spoof of the film and other '90s crime dramas, *Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood*.

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