Quick Facts: Lexie Bigham
| Full Name | Lexie Donnell Bigham Jr. (also credited as Lexie Darnell Bigham Jr.) |
| Born | August 4, 1968, Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | December 17, 1995 (age 27), Pasadena, California |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Occupation | Actor (Film, Television, Theatre) |
| Known For | Se7en (1995), Dead Presidents (1995), South Central (1992) |
| Resting Place | Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois |
Who Was Lexie Bigham?
Lexie Bigham was an American actor who appeared in several notable films during the early-to-mid 1990s, including David Fincher’s Se7en (1995), the Hughes Brothers’ Dead Presidents (1995), and Mario Van Peebles’ Panther (1995). In just a few years of working in Hollywood, he built a filmography that included dramas, action films, and comedies — showing real range as a performer.
Bigham died on December 17, 1995, at the age of 27, following an automobile accident in Pasadena, California. His death came at a point when his career was gaining serious momentum, and he left behind a body of work that still resonates with fans of 1990s cinema.
Early Life and Education
Lexie Donnell Bigham Jr. was born on August 4, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Lexie Bigham Sr. and Geraldine Bigham. Growing up in Chicago — a city with a strong theatre and arts community — likely shaped his early interest in performing.
Bigham attended Mather High School on Chicago’s North Side, graduating in 1986. After high school, he briefly enrolled at Southern Illinois University before transferring to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in California. The Academy, one of the oldest acting schools in the country, gave him formal training in the dramatic arts and prepared him for professional work in film and television.
Before breaking into Hollywood, Bigham honed his skills on stage. He performed with the Rebirth Drama Company in productions of A Raisin in the Sun and Women Behind Bars, building the foundation he’d carry into his screen career.
Acting Career: Film and Television
Bigham’s on-screen career began in the early 1990s, and he quickly racked up credits across genres. His first major film role came in South Central (1992), where he played Mad Dog — a gang member caught up in the cycle of street violence in Los Angeles. The film tackled serious social issues, and Bigham’s performance showed he could carry dramatic weight.
Over the next few years, he appeared in a string of films:
- Dave (1993) — played a White House guard in this political comedy starring Kevin Kline
- Airheads (1994) — played Bear in this comedy alongside Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, and Adam Sandler
- Drop Zone (1994) — appeared as Big Man Passenger in this Wesley Snipes action film
- Panther (1995) — appeared in Mario Van Peebles’ drama about the Black Panther Party
- Dead Presidents (1995) — appeared in this crime drama directed by the Hughes Brothers, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War era
On television, Bigham landed guest spots on series including China Beach and L.A. Law, two of the more respected dramas of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Lexie Bigham in Se7en (1995)
Bigham’s most widely recognized role came in David Fincher’s Se7en (1995), the crime thriller starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. Bigham played a cop in the film — specifically credited as “Sweating Cop at Massage Parlor” — appearing during one of the movie’s tense investigative sequences.
While it wasn’t a leading role, Se7en became one of the most successful and critically acclaimed films of 1995, grossing over $327 million worldwide. Bigham’s appearance in the film remains his most recognized credit, in part because the movie itself has endured as a classic of the thriller genre.
Death and Cause of Death
On December 17, 1995, Lexie Bigham was killed in an automobile accident in Pasadena, California. He was 27 years old. The accident occurred not long after he had finished filming High School High (1996), a comedy in which he played a character named Two-Bag.
His death was a shock to colleagues and the broader acting community. At the time, Bigham was part of a rising generation of Black actors working steadily in Hollywood during the mid-1990s — a period that produced landmark films exploring African American life and culture. Losing him at such a young age cut short what many believed would’ve been a long, productive career.
Bigham was laid to rest at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois, near his hometown of Chicago.
Two of his films were released after his death: High School High (1996) and Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996). Both serve as final records of his talent on screen.
Legacy
Lexie Bigham’s career lasted roughly four years, but in that time he appeared in more than a dozen film and television projects. He worked alongside major stars — Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Wesley Snipes, Kevin Kline — and proved he could hold his own in comedies, dramas, and action films alike.
What makes Bigham’s story worth remembering isn’t just the films he appeared in, but the context. The early-to-mid 1990s were a breakthrough period for Black cinema in Hollywood. Films like Boyz n the Hood, Dead Presidents, South Central, and Panther were telling stories that hadn’t been told at that scale before. Bigham was right in the middle of that movement, contributing to films that defined a generation.
He didn’t get the chance to become a household name, but his work still stands. Fans who watch Se7en, Dead Presidents, or South Central today will see an actor who brought something genuine to every role he took on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Lexie Bigham?
Lexie Bigham died on December 17, 1995, at the age of 27. He was killed in an automobile accident in Pasadena, California. At the time of his death, he had just finished filming High School High, which was released in 1996.
What was Lexie Bigham’s role in Se7en?
Bigham played a cop in David Fincher’s Se7en (1995), credited as “Sweating Cop at Massage Parlor.” The film starred Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman and became one of the highest-grossing thrillers of the 1990s.
How old was Lexie Bigham when he died?
Bigham was 27 years old at the time of his death. He was born on August 4, 1968, and died on December 17, 1995.
What films did Lexie Bigham appear in?
His filmography includes South Central (1992), Dave (1993), Airheads (1994), Drop Zone (1994), Panther (1995), Dead Presidents (1995), Se7en (1995), High School High (1996), and Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996). The last two were released after his death.
Where is Lexie Bigham buried?
Bigham was buried at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois, located near his hometown of Chicago.
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