Samuel Osei "Sam" Sarpong Jr. (19 December 1974 â€" 26 October 2015)
was a British actor, supermodel, and musician. He performed in over
sixty feature films, and fifty-five television shows, including such
films as Carmen The Hip Hopera, Love Don't Cost a Thing, Keeping Up
with the Steins, Anchor Baby and No Weapons, for which he won best
lead actor at the San Diego Black Film Festival. He was also the host
on MTV's Yo Momma for three seasons. He was one of the first black
male models for designer Tommy Hilfiger and was the face of the brand
for over six years.Sam Sarpong was born in London and moved to Los
Angeles with his father, Sam Sarpong Sr., who is a native of Ghana,
when he was 11 years old. He attended El Camino Real High School in
Woodland Hills, California, where he was a basketball star. When his
father moved to Pasadena, Sarpong lived with a friend's family so he
could continue attending El Camino Real. When his aspirations for a
college and professional basketball career proved unsuccessful, he
turned to acting and modelling. He was the older brother of the
British television presenter June Sarpong.Sarpong died on 26 October
2015 at the age of 40 after jumping from the Colorado Street Bridge in
Pasadena, California. His death was ruled a suicide by the Los Angeles
County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, pending an autopsy.
was a British actor, supermodel, and musician. He performed in over
sixty feature films, and fifty-five television shows, including such
films as Carmen The Hip Hopera, Love Don't Cost a Thing, Keeping Up
with the Steins, Anchor Baby and No Weapons, for which he won best
lead actor at the San Diego Black Film Festival. He was also the host
on MTV's Yo Momma for three seasons. He was one of the first black
male models for designer Tommy Hilfiger and was the face of the brand
for over six years.Sam Sarpong was born in London and moved to Los
Angeles with his father, Sam Sarpong Sr., who is a native of Ghana,
when he was 11 years old. He attended El Camino Real High School in
Woodland Hills, California, where he was a basketball star. When his
father moved to Pasadena, Sarpong lived with a friend's family so he
could continue attending El Camino Real. When his aspirations for a
college and professional basketball career proved unsuccessful, he
turned to acting and modelling. He was the older brother of the
British television presenter June Sarpong.Sarpong died on 26 October
2015 at the age of 40 after jumping from the Colorado Street Bridge in
Pasadena, California. His death was ruled a suicide by the Los Angeles
County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, pending an autopsy.
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