Alexander "Al" Matthews (November 21, 1942 – September 22, 2018) was an American actor, singer, and military veteran. His life was marked by his service in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, where he was the first Black Marine to be promoted to the rank of sergeant in the 1st Marine Division and received numerous decorations, including two Purple Hearts. This experience profoundly influenced his acting career, and he is best known for his iconic role as Sergeant Apone in James Cameron's science fiction film *Aliens* (1986). His filmography also includes appearances in films such as *Superman III* (1983), *The Fifth Element* (1997), and *Tomorrow Never Dies* (1997). In addition to cinema, Matthews also had success as a singer in the United Kingdom, reaching the top of the charts in 1975 with the single "Fool". He spent the final years of his life in Spain.