Alpheus Merchant
- Actor
Alpheus Merchant was born February 8, 1923, the fourth child of Jesse
Merchant, Sr. and Gladys Wilmuth McAlister; brother to Jesse Jr,
McAlister Sr., and Sarah Merchant, in Chicago, Illinois.
Alpheus served in the Army in World War II, then returned to Chicago.
Not long afterward, Al moved to the west coast and entered UCLA, from
which he later graduated. While there he met both Tom Bradley who would
become a Los Angeles Mayor and Mervyn Dymally, later a Councilman.
Alpheus also joined Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Mr Merchant was a high-ranking manager for the gas company, then moved
on to work for the Los Angeles Housing Authority in their Public
Relations Office. Finally he became administrative assistant to the
Medical Director of Kaiser Permanente.
Upon retiring, Alpheus began taking acting classes. He appeared first
in local theater, then in a few commercials and music videos, then
finally on television. He was able to join the Screen Actor's Guild,
and landed a bit part in several movies. His most famous role was as
the Security Guard in both "Men in Black" and "Men in Black II."
Alpheus was an active member of the community, still walking 2 miles a
day and receiving calls for small roles when he had a mild stroke, then
passed away unexpectedly at the age of 87.
Merchant, Sr. and Gladys Wilmuth McAlister; brother to Jesse Jr,
McAlister Sr., and Sarah Merchant, in Chicago, Illinois.
Alpheus served in the Army in World War II, then returned to Chicago.
Not long afterward, Al moved to the west coast and entered UCLA, from
which he later graduated. While there he met both Tom Bradley who would
become a Los Angeles Mayor and Mervyn Dymally, later a Councilman.
Alpheus also joined Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Mr Merchant was a high-ranking manager for the gas company, then moved
on to work for the Los Angeles Housing Authority in their Public
Relations Office. Finally he became administrative assistant to the
Medical Director of Kaiser Permanente.
Upon retiring, Alpheus began taking acting classes. He appeared first
in local theater, then in a few commercials and music videos, then
finally on television. He was able to join the Screen Actor's Guild,
and landed a bit part in several movies. His most famous role was as
the Security Guard in both "Men in Black" and "Men in Black II."
Alpheus was an active member of the community, still walking 2 miles a
day and receiving calls for small roles when he had a mild stroke, then
passed away unexpectedly at the age of 87.