Originally from New York, both of Merlin's parents were from the Dominican Republic. His mother pushed for a career in show business to keep him out of trouble and off the mean streets. He began as an advertising model for a fast-food chain at the age of 3. He first began getting noticed as Stanley, one of Rudy Huxtable's admirers, on the hit TV ...
Two 20-year-old men and a 15-year-old girl were arrested for his murder. The mens' arrests came just a week after the girl was arrested in connection with the case. Santana was shot dead on November 9 while sitting in the passenger seat of a car in south Los Angeles.
3
In early 1979, he began a career as an advertising model.
4
Was of Dominican ancestry. His parents emigrated from the Dominican Republic and moved to New York in order to find a better life.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Blues
2003
Goya
Half & Half
2002
TV Series
Dante Aldente
Play'd: A Hip Hop Story
2002
TV Movie
Mayhem
JAG
2002
TV Series
Seaman Aubrey McBride
Showtime
2002
Hector
The Steve Harvey Show
1996-2002
TV Series
Romeo Santana
Flossin
2001
Jermaine
The Smoker
2000
Short
Moesha
1996-1999
TV Series
Ohagi
NYPD Blue
1997
TV Series
Warren
Harambee!
1996
TV Movie
Flex
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
1995-1996
TV Series
Calvin
Street Gear
1995
TV Series
Derick Davis
Under One Roof
1995
TV Series
Marcus
Sister, Sister
1994
TV Series
Joey
Getting By
1993-1994
TV Series
Marcus Dixon
In the Line of Duty: Street War
1992
TV Movie
The Cosby Show
1991-1992
TV Series
Stanley
The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez
1991
Newsboy
Law & Order
1991
TV Series
Roneld Griggs
Major Dad
1991
TV Series
Marvin
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Test
2001
TV Series
Himself - Panelist
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2002
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
The Steve Harvey Show (1996)
2001
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
The Steve Harvey Show (1996)
1999
ALMA Award
ALMA Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
The Steve Harvey Show (1996)
1998
ALMA Award
ALMA Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
The Steve Harvey Show (1996)
1996
NCLR Bravo Award
NCLR Bravo Awards
Outstanding Individual Performance in a Comedy Series
The Steve Harvey Show (1996)
Known for movies
The Steve Harvey Show (1996-2002) as Romeo Santana
$950,000
