"Do the Right Thing" and "Across 110th Street" Actor Paul Benjamin Dead at 81

Paul Benjamin, who played "ML," one of the three cornermen in Do the Right Thing, has passed away at the age of 81. Benjamin also had roles in Across 110th Street (1972), The Education of Sonny Carson (1974), Pam Grier's Friday Foster (1975), Clint Eastwood's Escape From Alcatraz (1979), Richard Pryor's Some Kind of Hero (1982), among others. 

Spike Lee made the announcement on Instagram in a post that read, "I’m Sad To Write That The Great Actor PAUL BENJAMIN (Who Played ML, {Far Left} One Of The Cornermen Passed This Past Friday,2 Days Before The 30th Anniversary Of DO THE RIGHT THING. Rest In Paradise. Born 1/1/38. Died 6/28/19." 

Robert Townsend also commented on Benjamin's death on Twitter, writing, "I am so sad to hear about the passing of Paul Benjamin.He was a brilliant actor and I had the pleasure to work with him on THE FIVE HEARTBEATS he played Eddie’s father. My prayers go out to his family at this time. Rest in paradise King."