In Loving Memory : Sylvester Covin (1963 – 2023)

Actor Sylvester Covin, 60, passed away on February 18, 2023.

He was born and raised in Long Branch, N.J. and resided in Ocean Township, N.J. before his untimely death.

Sylvester matriculated through the Long Branch School system and was a star who set his path early in life as an actor.

A star was born

While at Long Branch High School, he was groomed under the tutelage of Mr. Vincent J. Borelli, an esteemed drama teacher for the Green Wave. There, Sylvester was part of the Westwood Players, where he was known for his rendition of “What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?”.

He received numerous accolades for his performances including winning Best Supporting Actor for the play “George Moon” with the Bucks County Playhouse before graduating from Long Branch High in 1981.

After high school, Sylvester took his talents to Glassboro College, now known as Rowan University, where he continued to refine his acting skills by studying Theatre Arts. He was there briefly until he decided to take a leap of faith to pursue a professional career in acting.

Actor Sylvester Covin

Sylvester emerged in the New York City acting scene, landing gigs on shows like “The David Letterman Show” and featured in the iconic rap group De La Soul’s “Me, Myself, & I” music video. He then landed his first acting role in a major film, playing an executive in “Toxic Avenger II” and then “Toxic Avenger III“, alongside Michael Jai White. He later appeared in the film “Head Games” in 1996.

Sylvester Covin in De La Soul’s “Me Myself and I”

Sylvester Covin (Right) & Michael Jai White (Middle) in Toxic Avenger II

The scholar

Sylvester took a brief break from acting, going back to school where he completed an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts with honors at Brookdale Community College.

He also worked at Fort Monmouth as a dispatch engineer until his retirement.

Dirty Laundry the sitcom

In 2011, Sylvester made his return to acting in the web series “Dirty Laundry The Sitcom“, making people laugh out of their seats. You can forever watch this legacy on YouTube.

Sylvester loved his family, friends, and most importantly, the Lord

Besides acting, Sylvester loved comics, especially Marvel comics and movies, the New York Giants, New York Knicks, watching sports, cooking, and most of all, loved to laugh and live in the moment.

He was always known to throw a good party and dance. And you knew it was “on and poppin”, as he would say, when he entered the room.

He relished the moments when spending time with his family and friends. Sylvester never had children of his own but treated his nieces and nephews like they were his. He always made sure to brag about his “children”, and no was never an answer when in need.

Most of all, he loved the Lord and never wavered in appreciating God’s grace and mercy.

Loved ones will miss him dearly

Sylvester was predeceased by his father Lonzy Covin, his mother Ella Colbert Betts, his brothers, Ronnie Covin and Kevin Cheatham, his sisters Jacqueline Covin and Carol Sanford, niece Brenda Covin, and nephew Tyrone Covin Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memory to his step-father, two sisters, six brothers, his beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and a host of relatives and friends.

He will be sorely missed.