I am deeply saddened to have to report that Latino actor Merlin Santana, a.k.a. Romeo from the TV series “The Steve Harvey Show,” was shot and killed on Nov. 9 in Los Angeles.

I can’t believe that someone would actually take it upon himself or herself to kill one of the few ethnic entertainers who have actually made it to the television screen.

He was an accomplished actor that received nominations from The Alma and NAACP Image Awards for his acting roles. He guest starred on roles for television series’ “Moesha” and “Sister, Sister.”

Merlin Santana also played the character of “Stanley” on “The Cosby Show.” I remember when Bud used to fight with Stanley for Rudy Huxtable’s attention on various episodes. I was a partial “hater” on Rudy Huxtable and when I entered middle school, I was hoping that all of the guys looked like Stanley.

On “The Steve Harvey Show,” Santana’s character Romeo felt secure about not being the brightest student in high school.

It’s going to be hard watching the re-runs of Romeo and Bullethead creating classic scams for Mr. Hightower to figure out by the end of the show.

Who can forget the timeless episode where Romeo had to live with Mr. Hightower and they fought over a girl who ended up playing both of them.

Who could forget those classic screen moments of him lifting his shirt up or taking it off for the ladies to scream?

He seemed like a real sweetheart. His smile made you fall in love all over again. Brothers felt like they could relate to Romeo.

He always made you laugh while trying to holler at every chick that passed by. As a female, I always wanted to be that chick that he chased after.

Santana helped bring out the physical beauty for men of color by posing for the women’s eye candy, “The Alaye Calendar.” He always came off as a masculine brother that wasn’t afraid to show his sensitive side.

R&B recording artist 3rd Storee issued the statement, “We’ve seen his work on the comedy show, ‘The Steve Harvey Show.’ It’s just sad to lose a talented actor because he was seen as cool and down to Earth.”

Santana was the epitome of a beautiful, ethnic, young and talented individual. He brought us humor, smiles and hope for our generation. I personally lost my childhood crush and my future boyfriend (that my mother would approve of) and he will truly be missed.

HWA Talent Representatives/Gold Liedtke Associates and Cuzzins Management, also issued a statement about Santana’s death.

“HWA Talent Representatives/Gold Liedtke Associates and Cuzzins Management are deeply saddened and greatly shocked by the sudden death of our mutual client Merlin Santana.”

“Merlin was a longtime client of our companies and a very gifted person. One of his first major roles was ‘Stanley’, a boy smitten with ‘Rudy’ on “The Cosby Show,” before he went on to other guest starring roles on “Law and Order,” “Major Dad,” “Moesha,” “NYPD Blue” and “JAG.”

“He was a regular on three series “Getting By,” “Under One Roof” and most notably “The Steve Harvey Show,” for which he was nominated twice for both an ALMA and Image Award. He also garnered a 1996 nomination in the NCLR Bravo Awards.”

“In the last two years, he appeared in such films as “Showtime,” with Robert DeNiro and Eddie Murphy, “Holla” and “Play’d: A Hip Hop Story.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. We will miss him.”

At deadline, USA was reporting on it’s web site, that on Nov 11 a woman was arrested for the shooting of Merlin Santana.