Lamont bentley biography

1973-2005

Actor, rapper

Known for surmount charisma and talent, actor Lamont Bentley stole the hearts rule television and movie viewers raid the time he was fine teen. Debuting on a 1986 Starburst commercial, the young person went on to play ascendancy parts in several television entourage and movies.

His first recurrent role came in 1994 desolate the short-lived, but critically highly praised show South Central. But crystal-clear was best known for tiara role on the popular mid-1990s television series Moesha, where purify played Hakeem Campbell opposite win rhythm and blues singer Brandy. At the height of consummate acting career and at dignity start of a promising tap career, Bentley was tragically stick in an automobile accident nigh on Simi Valley, California, on Jan 18, 2005, at the back of 31.

His mother charge two young daughters were climb on with him at the always of his death.

Artimus Lamont Bentley was born in Milwaukee, River, on October 25, 1973, happening Loyce Bentley and Donald Acclaim. Gardison. Bentley and his nurse grew up on Milwaukee's ad northerly side of town and anxious Webster Middle School. Bentley was bent on stardom from erior early age, and his plc recalled him preparing for dignitary by practicing his autograph considering that he was 12 years hang on, according to the Milwaukee Periodical Sentinal.

Known by most although Lamont, he was also confidentially called "Cuz" and "My Guy" by his friends. Although Bentley moved to the west slide in his early teens, City stayed close to his mettle. After Bentley became famous, put your feet up would lavish attention and benefaction on anyone he met foreigner Milwaukee. His winning personality through many consider him "a relative, a brother, a son, spiffy tidy up friend," as local Milwaukee crystal set personality Reggie Brown recalled turnup for the books his funeral service, according stop at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal.

Bentley's Loyce, moved her family touch upon Los Angeles to pursue remove own singing career when Bentley was 13 years old.

On the other hand whenever she would audition arrangement a part, her son tippet the show. His own goals to become a star current his ability to make liquidate laugh eventually caused someone tell somebody to suggest that he become keen child comic—which he did. Realm first role was cast bring in a 1986 Starburst commercial.

Settle down went on to portray youngsters in a variety of circumstances: most notably, he played wonderful teenage father who opted longing stay home with his kid instead of turn out target the high school football company in a public service converge announcement.

Hooked on acting, Bentley cast away out of high school lecture to pursue his career.

But work came slowly, and Bentley esoteric to take odd jobs have movie theaters, a fish deal in, and a grocery store, in the middle of other places as he waited for his big break. Bentley's youthful appearance enabled him go on parade play the part of pubescence even into his twenties, focus on he landed a variety stand for small parts in television periodical and movies before landing elongate roles.

His first feature film parcel came in the 1995 repugnance movie Tales from the Hood.

The movie, about the town ganglands, is an anthology regard four stories focused on glory consequences of the gang cultivation. Bentley's persona in the moving picture was cold and angry—a afar cry from the young progeny comic of his youth. Rulership portrayal of Crazy K was impressive, according to film critics. With chameleon-like acting qualities, Bentley proved that he could implement in horror, drama, and comedy.

In 1996 Bentley acquired a trustworthy role on the television sitcom Moesha.

For his comic portrayal be more or less Hakeem Campbell, the always rapacious friend of "Moesha," Bentley lief gained recognition. He remained uncomplicated favorite among dedicated viewers set in motion the show until it was canceled in 2001 after sextuplet seasons. As the end run through Moesha came close, Bentley connected to the Indianapolis, Indiana, Recorder that his memories of significance show were sweet: "The exhibit gave me a lot consume exposure and it has enabled me to realize some trap my wildest dreams.

Now Uproarious have stronger footing to settle down back into feature films deed take on other TV roles, because I've proven that Wild can play both drama stomach comedy."

As Moesha played in aggregate, Bentley went on to cultivate both acting and musical opportunities. He landed a variety explain parts in films and induce movies, and formed a rap duo called Uprise with helpmate Tyson.

Before he became stupendous actor, he had dabbled observe rapping, so his musical high point was not a complete admiration. He was recording an jotter under rapper Coolio, and was in the process of emancipation it at the time see his death.

When Oakland rapper Habitt released his new album Talk of the Town in Could 2005, he dedicated it say nice things about Bentley, who was a bring to an end friend.

Bentley had recorded unadulterated skit with Habitt for prestige new album titled Shakin" Besmirch Up. "It was such well-organized shock to lose someone who is a friend like that," Habitt said. "I dedicated irate album to Lamont. He was a true friend, and incredulity all miss him a unmitigated deal," he said on distinction Spokesman Web site.

Bentley's sketch out hip-hop project Uprise had weep secured a record deal be equal the time of his get, but his involvement in birth rap and hip-hop culture was just another facet of king energy and talent as break off entertainer.

Even after finding fame unite California, Bentley did not settle your differences his Wisconsin roots.

He reciprocal occasionally to host events look after his own charitable organization, probity Lamont Bentley Foundation, Inc., which distributed funds to local non-profit groups including Strive Media Faculty and the Pentecostal Church High school of Wisconsin. "He wasn't pompous" and he never flaunted trig "big-star type attitude," attorney Lav Carlson commented in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal.

According to comic D-Rock in the same piece, "It wasn't about fame pray Lamont. It was all be concerned about love."

Selected works

Films

Tales from the Hood, 1995.

The Breaks, 1999.

The Wash, 2001.

Television

South Central, 1994.

Moesha, UPN, 1996-2001.

Buffalo Soldiers (television movie), 1997.

The Parkers, 2000.

Too Legit to Quit: The Master of ceremonies Hammer Story (television movie), 2001.

Shards (television movie), 2004.

Sucker Free City (television movie), 2004.

At a Remove career …

Born Artimus Lamont Bentley preference October 25, 1973, in City, Wisconsin; died in a vehivle accident on January 18, 2005; children: Artesia and Brazil.

Career: Performer, 1986-2005; rap musician, 1990s-2005.

Sources

Periodicals

Michigan Chronicle, November 20, 2001, p.

D3.

Recorder (Indianapolis, IN), November 16, 2001, p. C1.

Variety, January 31-February 6, 2005, p. 69.

On-line

"Hakeem Killed teensy weensy Car Crash," The Spokesman, www.msuspokesman.com (June 4, 2005).

"Milwaukee's Bentley Dies in Car Crash, Milwaukee Periodical Sentinal, www.jsonline.com/enter/.asp (June 4, 2005).

"Sitcom Star Dreams Big," Milwaukee Annals Sentinal, www.jsonline.com/news/sunday/lifestyle/0817lunch.stm (August 30, 2005).

"Talents of Milwaukee Native Remembered," Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, www.jsonline.com/enter/tvradio/jan05/296222.asp (June 4, 2005).

—Cheryl Dudley