Lexie Bigham Jr. was known for his prominent roles in movies such as Se7en (1995), Boyz n the Hood (1991), South Central (1992), Drop Zone (1994), and Airheads (1994) before his life was tragically cut short just as his career was beginning to flourish. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Bigham Jr. died in a car accident in Los Angeles on December 17, 1995, at the age of 27, shortly after filming High School High (1996).
Here’s more about his life, his brief career, and the circumstances of his passing:
Lexie Bigham Jr.’s Early Life And Education
Lexie Darnell Bigham Jr., known as Lexie Bigham Jr., was born on August 4, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, to Lexie Sr. and Geraldine. The details of his family background are not available, so it is not known if he was their only child or if he had siblings.
He grew up in Chicago and attended Mather High School in West Ridge, a neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. He graduated in 1986 when he was 18 years old.
Lexie then gained admission to Southern Illinois University but only spent a year there before moving to Pasadena, California, where he enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to pursue his passion for acting. The academy is known for producing some of the biggest names in the American movie industry, including Jessica Chastain, Paul Rudd, Anne Hathaway, Robert Redford, and Danny DeVito.
See Also: Who Is Michael Mando – The Actor From ‘Better Call Saul’?
A Look At His Career
Lexie Bigham Jr. launched his acting career in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He began on TV before appearing in films. His first TV appearance was in ABC’s American war drama series China Beach (1988-1991), where he played Afro in season 3, episode 14, “Holly’s Choice,” aired in January 1990. In 1993, he appeared in NBC’s legal drama L.A. Law (1986-1994) as Emory Lewis in two episodes of season 7: “Bare Witness” (episode 11) and “Parent Trap” (episode 12). His other TV roles include Jeremiah in South of Sunset (1993), Carl Butler in Saved By The Bell: The New Class (1993-2000), and a guest appearance in season 2, episode 14 (“South of 98”) of Renegade (1992-1997)
In films, the Chicago native landed his first role in John Singleton’s 1991 hood crime drama Boyz n the Hood. The film, which starred Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr., Morris Chestnut, and Larry Fishburne, featured Bigham Jr. as Mad Dog, one of the biggest roles of his career. The following year, he played Bear in Stephen Milburn Anderson’s crime drama South Central.
Over the next three years, he appeared in several movies, including Dave (1993) as a White House Guard, Airheads (1993) as Security Guard #1, Drop Zone (1994) as Big Man Passenger, and Se7en (1995) as Sweating Cop at Massage Parlor. Other roles include Two-Bags in High School High (1996), Convict in Up Close & Personal (1996), and Driving Instructor in Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996).
Outside of his work in film and TV, he also performed in several stage productions in California with the Rebirth Drama Company. Some of these productions include Women Behind Bars and A Raisin in the Sun.
He Died In A Los Angeles Car Accident In 1995
On December 17, 1995, Bigham Jr. tragically lost his life in a car accident in Los Angeles, California. He was driving when he collided with another vehicle at an intersection and died instantly. The other driver sustained injuries but survived.
His death occurred shortly after he filmed Hart Bochner’s comedy, High School High, which was released in October 1996, nearly a year after his passing. In the film, he played the role of Two-Bags, a drug dealer and member of Paco’s gang, alongside actors Jon Lovitz, Tia Carrere, Louise Fletcher, and Mekhi Phifer.
In addition to High School High, two more of his movies were released in 1996: Up Close & Personal, where he portrayed a convict, and Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, where he played a driving instructor.
