Merrell was born to Patricia and Leonard Jackson, the second of five children (four boys and one girl, Stephanie). A unique family detail: three brothers shared the same birthday date in different years — April 26 (Leonard Jr. in 1951, Merrell in 1952, and Dwayne in 1955). They sang together as the “Soulful Three.”
He attended Calumet High School in Chicago’s Gresham neighborhood, where he became known for standout performances and talent-show wins. Classmate and author Janet M. Henderson recalled that he had visible star quality and consistently energized audiences.
During his senior year, Merrell played King Melchior in the school production of Amahl and the Night Visitors, broadcast on local TV. He sang baritone in Calumet’s A Cappella Chorus under Alice Maguire and also performed in the All-City High School Chorus.
In summer 1971, he earned a scholarship to the National Youth Chorus Workshop at Wolf Trap (American University Academy for the Performing Arts) in Washington, D.C. He was also one of 25 selected students featured in WMAQ-TV’s musical special The New Performers: Chicagoland ’71.
That same year, he toured with Goodman Theatre in the children’s musical comedy The Magic Isle and served as an understudy in the Chicago production of The Me Nobody Knows.
His major break came in 1972: after auditioning for the Chicago stage production of Godspell, he was cast in the film. After filming in New York, he joined the Chicago stage cast of Godspell until the show closed in August 1973.
Legacy
Merrell is remembered as a gifted performer and a meaningful presence in the lives of those who knew his work.
“All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above.”