It has it has come to my attention that Leo O’Brien the actor who played Richie Green Bruce Leroy’s little brother in The Last Dragon was shot 3 times on Sept 5th 2011 in Harlem. Earlier reports said he was on life support, but now it looks like he is going to be alright. Leo is a huge reason why I loved The Last Dragon. On Sept 6th, 2011 TMZ spoke with O’Brien:  He told them he recognized the shooter — but he had NO IDEA why the man would open fire on him.   O’Brien said, “In life, sometimes sh*t happens … but I’m alright and doing better.” Later on he told NYDailyNews.com he was instantly recognized at the hospital. “Of course – that’s a classic,” he said of  The Last Dragon. “If you black and you ain’t ever saw that, there’s something wrong.” LMAO Richie at his best. For more details about the shooting read the NYDailyNews.com Article.

I’ve wondered for many years what happened to Richie Green, but this is not how I wanted to find him. Leo was born November 12 1968 in Harlem, New York. He is the younger brother of Master Gee (Guy O’Brien) of the 70′ & early 80’s rap group SugarHill Gang. He is best known for his role in The Last Dragon but he also appeared in “Rappin'”, a couple episodes of “Law and Order” and “New Jack Swing”.

Now he says he runs a small music studio, owns a convenience store in Harlem and operates a company that sells magazines door-to-door. He’s spend some time in jail and he says he’s working on producing and directing a movie.

Taimak Guariello, who as we know played O’Brien’s big brother Bruce Leroy in The Last Dragon broke the story when he posted, “Sad news…Leo O’Brien (my brother in the last dragon) was gunned down in Harlem today and is on life support.” on Twitter.

We tracked down Leo soon after the shooting. Check out This Exclusive Interview with Leo O’Brien by Clarke Illmatical. Leo O’Brien shares some never before heard details about his past, The Last Dragon, and his relationships with Taimak,  Denise “Vanity” Matthews and Berry Gordy.

 

A Tribute to The Last Dragon’s Richie Green

In honor of Leo O’Brien’s near death experience, The Last Dragon Tribute Blog has round up a few of the  Best Richie Green Moments from The Last Dragon ~> check em out here.

Richie Green Break Dances his way out of trouble!

 

Let’s hope Leo can pop & lock his way out of this one too! Our thoughts are with you….

For more recent news on Richie Green check out Clarke Illmatical’s exclusive interview with Leo O’Brien

**October 2012 Update** Sadly Leo O’Brien passed away October 10, 2012 at the age of 41.  Leo was the actor who so charismatically played Leroy’s too cool little brother Richie Green in the cult classic The Last Dragon… (read more)