Biography
Innovative rap music superstar LL Cool J made the successful transition to actor/musician in the 1990s, with several major films and a TV series to his credit. Born
James Todd Smith in Queens, LL Cool J established himself as one of the major figures in rap music in the 1980s and '90s; he made his movie debut as himself in the 1985 rap movie
Krush Groove. Although LL Cool J also appeared as himself in B.A.P.S. (1998), his 1990s movie career revealed that he had the acting chops to go with his musical talent. Following roles in the light-hearted cop movie
The Hard Way (1991) and the ill-fated fantasy
Toys (1992), LL Cool J spent four seasons as one of the stars of the primetime TV sitcom
In the House (1995-1999). During his years on TV, LL Cool J also showed his dramatic versatility in the romantic comedy
Woo (1998), crime dramas
Caught Up (1998) and
In Too Deep (1999), and horror sequel Halloween: H20 (1998). After starring as potential shark bait in the mutant mako actioner
Deep Blue Sea (1999), he finished the decade by winning critical kudos as an immodest football player in
Oliver Stone's sports drama
Any Given Sunday (1999). Hit former career in music all but forgotten, LL Cool J would give action films a shot with
Charlie's Angels (2000) and
Rollerball (2002) before living up to his real life reputation as a ladies man in the comedy
Deliver Us from Eva. Starring as the stud wrangled into taming
Gabrielle Union’s shrew Eva, LL Cool J notched his first romantic comedy lead and took another step away from his musical past by billing himself under his real name. Following the less than stellar
Eva, LL Cool J added his voice to the animated
Rugrats Go Wild (2003). Further bolstering his action movie credits (and returning to his street moniker), LL Cool J then joined the multicultural cast of Samuel L. Jackson’s elite police squad in the summer popcorn movie S.W.A.T. (2003). ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide