Ving Rhames | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Rhames in 2010 | |
| Born | Irving Rameses Rhames (1959-05-12)May 12, 1959 (age 66) New York City, U.S. |
| Education | State University of New York, Purchase Juilliard School (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3[citation needed] |
Irving Rameses Rhames (/ˈreɪmz/RAYMZ; born May 12, 1959) is an American actor. Born and raised inHarlem, New York City, he studied drama atSUNY Purchase before transferring to theJuilliard School, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1983. After early stage work in Shakespeare and contemporary plays, he made his screen debut in 1985 and gained attention through roles inJacob's Ladder (1990),The People Under the Stairs (1991), and as Marsellus Wallace inQuentin Tarantino’sPulp Fiction (1994). Rhames achieved further recognition asLuther Stickell in theMission: Impossible film series, appearing in all eight installments.
His other notable work includesCon Air (1997),Rosewood (1997),Out of Sight (1998),Dawn of the Dead (2004), and voicingCobra Bubbles in Disney’sLilo & Stitch (2002). In 1998, he won a Golden Globe for portraying boxing promoter Don King inDon King: Only in America, memorably giving the award to fellow nomineeJack Lemmon. Alongside film and television, Rhames has worked extensively in theater, voice acting, and commercial narration.
Rhames was born and raised inHarlem,New York City, the son of Reather, a religious stay-at-home mom raising him and his brother Junior, and Ernest Rhames, an auto mechanic whose parents wereSouth Carolinasharecroppers.[1][2][3] He was named "Irving" afterNBC journalistIrving R. Levine.[4]
Unlike many of his childhood friends, Rhames neither took drugs nor succumbed to easy street money, but rather played football for Covent Avenue Baptist Church in theHamilton Heights Historic District.[1] One of Rhames' junior high school teachers praised his poetry reading.[1] On a whim, he applied to New York'sHigh School of Performing Arts, where he developed his love of acting.[1] After high school, he studied drama atSUNY Purchase, where fellow acting studentStanley Tucci gave him his nickname "Ving". Rhames later transferred to theJuilliard School's Drama Division (Group 12: 1979–1983)[5] where he graduated with aBachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1983, and began acting inShakespeare in the Park the following Monday.[1][6]
Rhames' training in the classics gained him roles as early as 1983 atShakespeare in the Park inRichard III. He has also appeared in the classicsRichard II, andSophocles' playAjax,[1] as well asoff-Broadway productions such asMap of the World andAscension Day, and regionally in plays byHenrik Ibsen andMolière.[7]
Rhames played the role of amateur boxer Omar in theSecond Stage Theater 1984-85 revival ofMiguel Piñero's 1974 prison dramaShort Eyes directed byKevin Conway, alongsidePaul Calderon andLaurence Fishburne, among others.[2][8]
OnBroadway appeared inJohn Pielmeier's playThe Boys of Winter directed byMichael Lindsay-Hogg in December 1985 at theBiltmore Theatre.[9][10]
In an interview, Rhames commented about screen versus stage roles, "I don't giveHollywood the power to limit me," and "I can always do theater, I can doIbsen, I can doMacbeth, I can doChekhov, I can doMolière,Othello, I can doRichard III."[1]
Rhames' screen debut came in January 1985 in the role of Young Gabriel on thePBS anthology seriesAmerican Playhouse in the television filmGo Tell It on the Mountain, which was followed by small roles in television and film.[1][11] Rhames' theatrical film debut came next in 1986 as Jack inNative Son, based on the1940 novel byRichard Wright.[11]
Other 80s film appearances include roles inPaul Schrader's biographical crime dramaPatty Hearst (1988) asDonald "Cinque Mtume" DeFreeze, and as Lieutenant Reilly inBrian De Palma's dramaCasualties of War (1989).[1]
On television, Rhames had two guest appearances onMiami Vice; as Georges in "The Maze" (February 1985), and as Walker Monroe in "Child's Play" (1987).[12] In 1986 he appeared on anotherMichael Mann show,Crime Story in the 1986 episode, "Abrams for the Defense" in which he portrayed Hector Lincoln, a poor Chicago tenant who assaults his landlord after Hector's son is bitten by a rat, and must therefore be defended byStephen Lang's character, David Abrams.[13] He played Czaja Carnek on the soap operaAnother World for several episodes in 1986.[14] He playedSP4 Tucker in theTour of Duty episode "Burn Baby, Burn" (1987).[15] Rhames played Henry Brown onSpenser: For Hire in the episode "McAllister" (1988).[16]
During the 1990s, Rhames' theatrical film appearances included George inAdrian Lyne's psychological horrorJacob's Ladder (1990), andWes Craven's comedy horror filmThe People Under the Stairs (1991) as Leroy. Also in 1991, he played Frank McRae, themaster chief petty officer inJohn Milius' Vietnam war filmFlight of the Intruder.[15] As Secret Service agent Duane Stevensen, he watched overKevin Kline's character in the political comedy filmDave (1993). He played street hustler "Little Leroy" inTim Hunter's dramaThe Saint of Fort Washington (1993).[1]
One of Rhames' breakout roles includesMarsellus Wallace which came inQuentin Tarantino's 1994 crime filmPulp Fiction.[11] Another breakout, and recurring, role came in 1996 as ace computer hackerLuther Stickell oppositeTom Cruise inBrian De Palma's film adaptation,Mission: Impossible.[11] Due to its success, Rhames reprises the character in subsequent films. In 1997, Rhames portrayed the character of Nathan "Diamond Dog" Jones in the popular filmCon Air.
Other film roles during the 90s include FBI Agent Omar inKiss of Death (1995), the wisecracking bouncer/bodyguard Shad inStriptease (1996), and a starring role as West African drug dealer Muki in the action thrillerDangerous Ground (1997) withIce Cube andElizabeth Hurley. InJohn Singleton's 1997 historical dramaRosewood, Rhames played Mann, a veteran ofWWI who is now a drifter falsely accused of assault by a white woman, eliciting alynch mob. Although Rhames' character is fictional,Rosewood is based on a true story of the 1923Rosewood massacre.[1] In 1998, he played Pike in the crime thrillerBody Count,[1] and Buddy Bragg in the action comedyOut of Sight. He played Jesus-praising paramedic Marcus in the drama filmBringing Out the Dead (1999) directed byMartin Scorsese.
On television, Rhames played Dr. Peter Benton's brother-in-law on the medical dramaER, a recurring role he filled for three seasons from 1994 to 1996. Rhames won aGolden Globe in 1998 forBest Actor – Miniseries or Television Film inHBO'sDon King: Only in America (1997).[11] At the ceremony he gave his award to fellow nomineeJack Lemmon, saying, "I feel that being an artist is about giving, and I'd like to give this to you." Lemmon was clearly touched by the gesture as was the celebrity audience who gave Lemmon a standing ovation. Lemmon, who tried unsuccessfully to give the award back to Rhames, said it was "one of the nicest, sweetest moments I've ever known in my life." TheHollywood Foreign Press Association announced later that they would have a duplicate award prepared for Rhames. That moment was #98 on E!'s 101 Awesome Moments in Entertainment.[17][18][19]The New York Times lauded Rhames for the act, writing that in doing so he "demonstrated his capacity for abundant generosity".[19]
Rhames reprises his role as Luther Stickell beginning inMission: Impossible 2 (2000). He co-starred inMission: Impossible III (2006), had a cameo appearance inMission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), and played a major role inMission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015),Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018),Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) andMission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025), the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth installments in theMission Impossible film series, respectively.[20] He is the only actor besides Tom Cruise to appear in all eightMission: Impossible films.
Other theatrical film roles includeJohnnie Cochran inAmerican Tragedy (2000), and the ex-con boyfriend of Jody's mother in theJohn Singleton filmBaby Boy (2001). He contributed his voice for the character ofCobra Bubbles in theWalt Disney animated feature filmLilo & Stitch (2002) and the subsequent television series. Rhames played police Sergeant Kenneth Hall, a stoic cop and former Marine, fighting zombie hordes in the 2004 remake ofDawn of the Dead. He played a different character, military Captain Kenneth Rhodes, in the 2008 remake ofDay of the Dead. Rhames played a gay (and possibly also homicidal) firefighter who comes out of the closet inI Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007). In the 2008 filmSaving God, he played an ex-con who is released from prison a changed man, looking to take over his father's former church congregation in a deteriorating neighborhood. Rhames stars inPhantom Punch (2008), a biopic of boxerSonny Liston, released directly to DVD, as well as the British independent action/thriller filmThe Tournament (2009), portraying a fighter out to win a no-rules tournament.
On television Rhames portrayed agaydrag queen in the television filmHoliday Heart (2000). He played John Morgan inHallmark Hall of Fame's filmLittle John (2002).[11] In March 2005, Rhames played the lead role on a newKojak series, on theUSA Network cable channel (and on ITV4 in the UK). The bald head, lollipops, and "Who loves ya, baby?" catchphrase remained intact, but little else remained from theTelly Savalas-starring original. It was announced that he would have a role in the 2006Aquaman-based showMercy Reef; however, due to the integration ofThe WB andUPN for the new network,CW,Mercy Reef was not picked up. He narrated theBET television seriesAmerican Gangster (2006–2009).
Rhames makes an appearance inLudacris's song "Southern Gangstas" on his 2008 albumTheater of the Mind. RappersPlayaz Circle andRick Ross are also featured on the track.
Rhames voiced the part of Tobias Jones in the video gameDriver 3 (2004).
He filmedThe Red Canvas (2009) withErnie Reyes Jr., UFC lightweight contenderGray Maynard, andRandy Couture. In 2010, he filed a lawsuit against the film's producer,[21] claiming that he had only been paid $175,000 of a $200,000 contract.
Since 2014, Rhames has provided the narration for numerousArby's commercials, with the slogan "Arby's: We have the meats!"[22]
In 2015, he filmed a series of commercials forThe ADT Corporation.[citation needed] Rhames has also appeared in a series of television commercials forRadioShack, usually performing withVanessa L. Williams.
Rhames is one of the narrators forUFC.
Rhames narrated the team introductions for theNew England Patriots andAtlanta Falcons inSuper Bowl LI in February 2017.[citation needed]
Rhames is aChristian.[23][24] In 1994 he married Valerie Scott, a former movie publicist.[1] He has since divorced, and has been married to Deborah Reed since 2000.[25]
| † | Denotes works that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Go Tell It on the Mountain | Young Gabriel Grimes | Television film.PBSAmerican Playhouse (aired 1/14/1985) (screen debut) | [1][11] |
| 1985 | Miami Vice | Georges | Episode: "The Maze" | [12] |
| 1986 | Another World | Czaja Carnek | Regular cast (8 episodes) | [14] |
| Crime Story | Hector Lincoln | Episode: "Abrams for the Defense" | [13] | |
| 1987 | Miami Vice | Walker Monroe | Episode: "Child's Play" | [12] |
| Tour of Duty | SP4 Tucker | Episode: "Burn Baby, Burn" | [15] | |
| 1988 | Spenser: For Hire | Henry Brown | Episode: "McAllister" | [16] |
| 1989 | Men | Charlie Hazard | Main cast | |
| The Equalizer | Luther Paxton | Episode: "Suicide Squad" | ||
| 1990 | Rising Son | Ed | Television film | |
| When You Remember Me | Leon | Television film | ||
| 1991 | ScreenPlay | Sergeant Blue | Episode: "Murder in Oakland" | |
| Iran: Days of Crisis | Charles Jones | Television film | ||
| 1992 | Terror on Track 9 | "Jellyroll" | Television film | |
| 1994 | Philly Heat | DeWitt Wardlaw | TV series | |
| 1994–1996 | ER | Walter Robbins | Recurring cast (season 1–3) | [1][12] |
| 1995 | Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Lightning | Detective Artie Brown | Television film | |
| New York Undercover | Max Villareal | Episode: "Olde Thyme Religion" | [12] | |
| Deadly Whispers | Detective Jackson | Television film | [12] | |
| 1997 | Don King: Only in America | Don King | Television film | [11] |
| 2000 | American Tragedy | Johnnie Cochran | Television film | |
| Holiday Heart | "Holiday" Heart | Television film | [12] | |
| 2001 | UC: Undercover | Quito Real | Recurring cast | |
| 2002 | Sins of the Father | Garrick Jones | Television film | |
| Little John | John Morgan | Television film.Hallmark Hall of Fame | [11][12] | |
| RFK | Judge Thomas R. Jones | Television film | ||
| The Proud Family | Garrett Krebs (voice) | Episode: "A Hero for Halloween" | ||
| 2002–2003 | The District | Attorney General Troy Hatcher | Recurring cast (season 3) | |
| 2003 | Lilo & Stitch: The Series | Cobra Bubbles[a] (voice) | Episode: "Spooky" | [12] |
| The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius | Chief (voice) | Episode: "Operation: Rescue Jet Fusion" | ||
| The System | Andre Charles | Main cast | ||
| Freedom: A History of US | Various Roles | TV documentary series | ||
| 2005 | Kojak | Lieutenant Theo Kojak | Main cast | |
| 2006 | Aquaman | McCaffery | Television film | [12] |
| 2007 | Football Wives | Frank Wallingford | Television film | |
| 2010 | Gravity | "Dogg" McFee | Main cast | [12] |
| 2011 | Zombie Apocalypse | Henry Everlen | Television film | [12] |
| Black Jack | Jack "Black Jack" | Television film | ||
| 2013 | Monday Mornings | Dr. Jorge Villanueva | Main cast | [12] |
| 2014 | A Day Late and a Dollar Short | Cecil Price | Television film | [12] |
| 2018 | Cagney and Lacey | Captain Stark | Television film | |
| 2019 | Voice Arts Awards | Himself - Icon Award | Television special | |
| 2023 | Legacy | Guy Simmons | Television miniseries.BET+ | [12] |
| 2025 | Dope Thief | Bart | Television miniseries | [12][40] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Mission: Impossible – Operation Surma | IMF Agent Luther Stickell | [26] | |
| 2004 | Driver 3 | Tobias Jones | [26] | |
| 2017 | Call of Duty: WWII | Jefferson Potts |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor in Mini-Series or Motion Picture | Don King: Only in America | Won | [41] |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Best Actor in Mini-Series or Movie | Don King: Only in America | Nominated | ||
| Acalpulco Black Film Festival | Best Actor | Rosewood | Nominated | ||
| Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in Motion Picture | Rosewood | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Actor in Television or Mini-Series | Don King: Only in America | Nominated | |||
| Satellite Awards | Best Actor - Mini-Series or TV Film | Don King: Only in America | Nominated | ||
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | Best Actor - Mini-Series or TV Film | Don King: Only in America | Nominated | ||
| 2000 | Blockbuster Entertainment Awards | Best Supporting Actor - Action | Entrapment | Nominated | |
| Satellite Awards | Best Supporting Actor - Comedy or Music | Bringing Out the Dead | Nominated | ||
| ShoWest Convention | Best Supporting Actor | Won | [42] | ||
| 2001 | Black Reel Awards | Best Actor - Network | Holiday Heart | Nominated | |
| Image Awards | Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture | Mission: Impossible 2 | Nominated | ||
| Locarno International Film Festival | Special Mention | Baby Boy | Won | ||
| 2002 | Black Reel Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Baby Boy | Nominated | |
| Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | UC: Undercover | Nominated | ||
| Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture | Baby Boy | Nominated | |||
| 2003 | Black Reel Awards | Best Actor - Mini-Series | Sins of the Father | Nominated | |
| Image Awards | Best Supporting Actor - Comedy | The Proud Family | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor - Mini-Series or TV Film | Sins of the Father | Nominated | |||
| 2004 | Black Reel Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Dark Blue | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Black Reel Awards | Best Actor - Television | Kojak | Nominated | |
| 2015 | Black Reel Awards | Best Actor - Television | A Day Late and a Dollar Short | Nominated | |
| Image Awards | Best Actor - Television | Nominated |
