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Merlin Santana was born in Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York to Dominican parents. Both his mother and father immigrated from the Dominican Republic to find a better life, eventually settling in New York. He attended Acenscion Catholic School in New York. His career in show business began with a push from his mother, who recognized her son's talent and wanted to keep him off the tough streets of New York. He began his career at the age of three as an advertising model for a fast food chain. His first screen appearance was as an extra in the Woody Allen film, The Purple Rose of Cairo.Santana later landed the recurring role of Stanley, the faithful admirer of the young Rudy Huxtable (and romantic rival of Rudy's friend Kenny), on the hit series, The Cosby Show. Merlin was then cast as a sharp-tongued 15-year-old in the short lived sitcom, Getting By, starring Cindy Williams and Telma Hopkins. He also landed roles on Under One Roof, and made appearances in Moesha, Major Dad, and Sister, Sister.In 1996, Merlin landed the role of Romeo Santana on The Steve Harvey Show. In 2002, he appeared in the VH1 tv movie, Play'd: A Hip Hop Story with Toni Braxton. The same year, Santana landed a role in the Eddie Murphy's comedy, Showtime. Merlin's last television acting role was on the UPN series, Half & Half. His last film role was a 2003 comedy, The Blues with fellow Cosby Show alum Deon Richmond.On November 9, 2002, Merlin was sitting in a parked car when a person approached the car and shot him. Santana died before any help could arrive. News of his death was not reported until the following Monday (November 11, 2002). He was buried on November 18, 2002 at Saint Raymond's Cemetery in Bronx, New York. Merlin was survived by 2 daughters. He was 26 years old.Damien Andre Gates was convicted of the first-degree murder of Santana and the attempted murder of another man in the car, and was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences plus 70 years in prison. Brandon Douglas Bynes received 23 year sentence after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon. An officer involved in the case testified that Monique King, reportedly the girlfriend of Gates and aged 15 at the time of Santana's death, falsely claimed that Santana had tried to rape her, which prompted Gates and Bynes to attack the car. King received eight years in juvenile custody.[1]I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.1 Merlin Santana Interviewed By Mimi Las Madrinas: Hi Pa, it has been a long time. I haven?t seen you. For those who do not know, Merlin Santana and I go way back. We both grew up in Washington Heights "Uptown" Manhattan. At the time I was what you called a "tomboy" and Merlin use to hang with my cousin PJ, C.E.O of "Neverbroke" clothing company. When I first saw Merlin on TV, I thought he was African American. But when we became close,"Baby let them know who and what Tu Representas!" Merlin Santana: 100% DOMINICANO MAMA! Let them know that?s where we both come from. People mistake me all the time but it really doesn?t bother me. I like shocking people at least the ones that mistake me for an African American or Puerto Rican. What they don?t know is that DOMINICANS are becoming the fastest growing minority group. Las Madrinas: I remember reading something about that in the New York Times. You tell them Merlin; we definitely got to let them know. Unlike most of us Catholic Dominicans you are not? Why? Merlin Santana: It?s not that I?m not a Catholic; I?m just not a practicing Catholic. I still and always will believe that there is a God. LM: That?s good we wouldn?t want your mom to fall out and say, " Mi Hijo is going to burn in hell? What have I created?" Speaking of that, when is your birthday? MS: March 14, 1976. LM. Did you do anything special for your 26th B-Day? MS: Nothing special, I?m just trying to stay focused. LM: I would hope so; there are lots of good things happening in your life right now. Now that Steve Harvey is over, we loved you in that show, are we going to see you in a new sitcom any time soon? MS: Only if it?s my own show, F@%k that! I am trying to grow as an actor. By this I mean doing different things. I loved being on the Steve Harvey show and prior to that I did the Cosby show. I loved doing sitcoms, but now I?m looking forward to doing theater work amongst other things. LM: Yeah, like what other things? Will we see you in films? I also know that you are currently working on your album. MS: As a matter of fact, I play a Cuban gangster by the name of Hector in this new film "Showtime" staring Robert Deniro and Eddie Murphy. And yep, you got me. I?m working on an album. I always wanted to do it and now I have been blessed with the opportunity to do it. LS: That?s excellent Merlin, I?m so proud of you. We are all proud of you. We really don?t get the chance to see many Dominican actors/actresses in the USA. Who did you say was working on your album? MS: I didn?t. (Laughs) Hey girl, you never change. LM: NOPE. MS: Well just to give you a sample, I got some crazy Latin flavor along with some crazy hip-hop madness that you aint gonna be able to explain. LM: I heard that! We can?t wait. And to think, how long have you been doing this? MS: WOW, let me think. I?ll have to say for about fifteen years. LM: You see many people think that it comes over night and it doesn?t. What advise do you have for the people out there? MS: My advice is never give up. Believe in yourself. You just have to keep on trying. No one is going to give you anything you have to work for it. All you need is one opportunity. One open door, but beware along the way many will close. LM: Eso Es Verdad! (That is so true) Well Mr. Santana, It was pleasures seeing you again I cant wait to work with you soon. Don?t think that I didn?t talk to my primo in regards to modeling with you for Neverbroke. You are the spokes model aren?t you? How is that going? Have you ever modeled before? MS: I have done modeling before, but nothing like this. Neverbroke is my family so it will be a pleasure working with you. MI LOCA. LM: Speaking of crazy, I?m gonna ask my last question. It?s LasMadrinas favorite question for all the ladies. I would only ask because of all the ladies who would want to know, especially since you are single and all? what is your shoes size? MS: You see what I?m talking about! You crazy girl, but I?m still going to tell you. 10.5 LM: Ha, ha, ha! Thank you so much and please when you come back in to town come see us, now that you are in Hollywood a sister has to make an appointment just to see an old friend. We always want to know what?s next with the young Latin actors of America. Peace baby!