Biographie et filmographie

LL Cool J

James Todd Smith III, dit LL Cool J (abréviation de « Ladies Love Cool James », « Les dames aiment Cool James »), né le 14 janvier 1968 dans le Queens, à New York, est un rappeur et acteur américain.

LL Cool J, dit Ladies Love Cool James, est l'un des rappeurs les plus populaires de l'histoire du rap américain. Premier poulain de la célèbre écurie Def Jam, ses talents musicaux lui ouvrent très vite les portes d'une carrière de comédien. Il fait notamment des apparitions dans les films Krush Groove (1985), dans lequel il joue son propre rôle, et Wildcats (1986), où il interprète un rappeur.

En 1995, il tient le premier rôle d'Out of Sync, l'histoire d'un ex-junkie reconverti en DJ forcé d'infiltrer un réseau de drogues par un flic en manque d'informations. Si le film est un échec au box-office, il attire des producteurs d'NBC qui décident de faire de lui l'une des vedettes de la sitcom à succès In the house (de 1995 à 1998), qui révèle au public américain ses talents de comédien.

Sa percée, il l'effectue grâce au slasher Halloween, 20 ans après en 1998. Son rôle de vigile poète dans un lycée où enseigne aussi Jamie Lee Curtis fait mouche, et il croule ensuite sous les propositions les plus diverses. Trafiquant de drogues vicieux dans Gangsta Cop, ou joueur de football avide d'argent dans L'Enfer du dimanche, avec également Al Pacino aux commandes d'une équipe au bord de l'implosion. En 1999, il est consacré par les Blockbuster Entertainment Awards par le prix du meilleur second rôle pour son interprétation du cuisinier philosophe de Peur bleue de Renny Harlin.

En 2002, il est à l'affiche de Rollerball de John McTiernan, et Mindhunters, thriller pour lequel il retrouve Renny Harlin.

Photos

Films (69)

Quincy Jones, Music Man

Quincy Jones, Music Man

2025 · Self (archive footage)

Stans

Stans

2025 · Self

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

2025 · Self (archive footage)

SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)

SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)

2025

Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular

Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular

2024 · Self

A Hip Hop Minute

A Hip Hop Minute

2024 · Self

NCISverse: The First 1,000

NCISverse: The First 1,000

2024 · Self

Comin' Up Short

Comin' Up Short

2024 · Self

A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop

A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop

2023 · Self, Executive Producer

2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

2023 · Self

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

2022 · Self

You're Watching Video Music Box

You're Watching Video Music Box

2021 · Self (archive footage)

Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell

Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell

2021 · Self - Hip-Hop Artist (archive footage)

Ricky Powell: The Individualist

Ricky Powell: The Individualist

2020 · Self

One World: Together at Home

One World: Together at Home

2020 · Self

Henry Louis Gates Jr.: Uncovering America

Henry Louis Gates Jr.: Uncovering America

2019 · Self - Musician and Actor

A Home for the Holidays: The 20th Anniversary

A Home for the Holidays: The 20th Anniversary

2018 · Self - Host

Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones

Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones

2018 · Self

MVP: Most Valuable Performer

MVP: Most Valuable Performer

2018

Sinatra 100: An All-Star Grammy Concert

Sinatra 100: An All-Star Grammy Concert

2015 · Self

Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life - An All-Star Grammy Salute

Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life - An All-Star Grammy Salute

2015 · Self

The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles

The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles

2014 · Self - Host

Grudge Match

Grudge Match

2013 · Frankie Brite

Mayweather

Mayweather

2013 · Narrator

Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You

Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You

2012 · Self

Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’

Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’

2012 · Self

Sesame Street: Singing with the Stars

Sesame Street: Singing with the Stars

2012 · Self

How Bruce Lee Changed the World

How Bruce Lee Changed the World

2009 · Self

DJ Cinema Presents: Masterpiece Theater Blend Dvd

DJ Cinema Presents: Masterpiece Theater Blend Dvd

2009 · Self (archive footage)

The Deal

The Deal

2008 · Bobby Mason

The Man

The Man

2007 · Manny Baxter

ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway

ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway

2007 · Self

Last Holiday

Last Holiday

2006 · Sean Williams

Slow Burn

Slow Burn

2005 · Luther Pinks

Edison

Edison

2005 · Deed

Mindhunters

Mindhunters

2004 · Gabe Jensen

S.W.A.T.

S.W.A.T.

2003 · Deacon 'Deke' Kaye

Beef

Beef

2003 · Self (archive footage)

Jennifer Lopez: The Reel Me

Jennifer Lopez: The Reel Me

2003 · Self

Deliver Us from Eva

Deliver Us from Eva

2003 · Ray Adams

Rollerball

Rollerball

2002 · Marcus Ridley

It's Black Entertainment

It's Black Entertainment

2002 · Self (archive footage)

Hype Williams: The Videos Vol. 1

Hype Williams: The Videos Vol. 1

2002

We Are Family

We Are Family

2001 · Ray Bud Slocumb

Charlie et ses drôles de dames

Charlie et ses drôles de dames

2000 · Mr. Jones

Any Given Sunday

Any Given Sunday

1999 · Julian Washington

Rapmania: The Roots of Rap

Rapmania: The Roots of Rap

1999

In Too Deep

In Too Deep

1999 · Dwayne Gittens / God

Deep Blue Sea

Deep Blue Sea

1999 · Preacher

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

1998 · Ronny

Unmasking the Horror

Unmasking the Horror

1998 · Self

Woo

Woo

1998 · Darryl

Caught Up

Caught Up

1998 · Roger

B.A.P.S

B.A.P.S

1997 · LL Cool J

Touch

Touch

1997 · LL Cool J

The Right to Remain Silent

The Right to Remain Silent

1996 · Charles Red Taylor

The Show

The Show

1995 · Self

Out-of-Sync

Out-of-Sync

1995 · Jason St. Julian

Toys

Toys

1992 · Patrick Zevo

Black Women, Sexual Politics and the Revolution

Black Women, Sexual Politics and the Revolution

1992 · Songs

Simply Mad About the Mouse

Simply Mad About the Mouse

1991 · Self

The Hard Way

The Hard Way

1991 · Billy

Future Of The Funk

Future Of The Funk

1991 · Self

Diana Ross: Red Hot Rhythm and Blues

Diana Ross: Red Hot Rhythm and Blues

1987 · Self

Big Fun in the Big Town

Big Fun in the Big Town

1986 · Self

Wildcats

Wildcats

1986 · Rapper

Krush Groove

Krush Groove

1985 · LL Cool J

LL Cool J Presents The Rock the Bells Festival Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop

LL Cool J Presents The Rock the Bells Festival Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop

· Self

My Life With the Team: Bimmy's Story

My Life With the Team: Bimmy's Story

· Thanks

Séries (77)

NCIS: New York

NCIS: New York

2026 · Sam Hanna, Executive Producer

Hip Hop Was Born Here

Hip Hop Was Born Here

2025 · Self - Host, Executive Producer, Creator

Fat Joe Talks

Fat Joe Talks

2024 · Self - Guest

James Brown - Say It Loud

James Brown - Say It Loud

2024 · Self

Hip Hop Treasures

Hip Hop Treasures

2023 · Self

Superfan

Superfan

2023 · Self

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

2023 · Self

The Jennifer Hudson Show

The Jennifer Hudson Show

2022

Supreme Team

Supreme Team

2022 · Self

Payback

Payback

2022 · Self - Funeral Attendee (archive footage)

They Call Me Magic

They Call Me Magic

2022 · Self

NCIS: Hawaiʻi

NCIS: Hawaiʻi

2021 · Sam Hanna

The Kelly Clarkson Show

The Kelly Clarkson Show

2019 · Self

Desus & Mero

Desus & Mero

2019 · Self - Illustrious Guest

Shut Up and Dribble

Shut Up and Dribble

2018 · Self - Musician

Story of Cool

Story of Cool

2018 · Executive Producer

Steve

Steve

2017 · Self

Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party

Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party

2016 · Self

Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits

2016

The $100,000 Pyramid

The $100,000 Pyramid

2016 · Self

Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter

Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter

2015 · Self

Lip Sync Battle

Lip Sync Battle

2015 · Host

The Late Late Show with James Corden

The Late Late Show with James Corden

2015 · Self

Hot Ones

Hot Ones

2015 · Self

Late Night with Seth Meyers

Late Night with Seth Meyers

2014 · Self - Guest

Le Tonight Show

Le Tonight Show

2014 · Self - Guest

Finding Your Roots

Finding Your Roots

2012 · Self

Conan

Conan

2010 · Self - Guest``````, Self - Guest

The Talk

The Talk

2010 · Self

Hawaii Five-0

Hawaii Five-0

2010 · Sam Hanna

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

2009 · Self

WWII in HD

WWII in HD

2009 · Shelby Westbrook (voice)

NCIS: Los Angeles

NCIS: Los Angeles

2009 · Sam Hanna

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

2009 · Self - Guest

30 Rock

30 Rock

2006 · Ridikolus

Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray

2006

The Tyra Banks Show

The Tyra Banks Show

2005 · Self

So You Think You Can Dance

So You Think You Can Dance

2005

American Dad

American Dad

2005 · Sam Hanna (voice)

Project Runway

Project Runway

2004 · Self - Guest Judge

Dr. House

Dr. House

2004 · Clarence

The Tony Danza Show

The Tony Danza Show

2004 · Self

Spike TV VGA Video Game Awards

Spike TV VGA Video Game Awards

2003

NCIS : Enquêtes Spéciales

NCIS : Enquêtes Spéciales

2003 · Sam Hanna

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

2003 · Self

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003 · Self, Self - Guest

American Idol

American Idol

2002 · Self - Guest Judge

Last Call with Carson Daly

Last Call with Carson Daly

2002 · Self

106 & Park

106 & Park

2000

The Early Show

The Early Show

1999 · Self

Teen Choice Awards

Teen Choice Awards

1999 · Self, Self - Presenter

WWE Friday Night SmackDown

WWE Friday Night SmackDown

1999 · Self

The View

The View

1997 · Self

Oz

Oz

1997 · Jiggy Walker

The Chris Rock Show

The Chris Rock Show

1997 · Self

Clive Anderson All Talk

Clive Anderson All Talk

1996 · Self

Le Daily Show

Le Daily Show

1996 · Self

The Rosie O'Donnell Show

The Rosie O'Donnell Show

1996 · Self

MADtv

MADtv

1995 · Self - Host, Self

The Frank Skinner Show

The Frank Skinner Show

1995 · Self

In the House

In the House

1995 · Marion Hill

MTV Europe Music Awards

MTV Europe Music Awards

1994 · Self - Presenter

The Adventures of Pete & Pete

The Adventures of Pete & Pete

1993 · Mr. Throneberry

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

1993 · Self - Guest

Late Show with David Letterman

Late Show with David Letterman

1993 · Self - Guest

The Word

The Word

1990

MTV Unplugged

MTV Unplugged

1989 · Self

Yo! MTV Raps

Yo! MTV Raps

1988 · Self

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

1988 · Self - Guest

Kids' Choice Awards

Kids' Choice Awards

1987 · Self - Co-Host

MTV Video Music Awards

MTV Video Music Awards

1984 · Self - Host, Self

Entertainment Tonight

Entertainment Tonight

1981 · Self

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

1975 · Self - Musical Guest

People's Choice Awards

People's Choice Awards

1975 · Self - Presenter

The Grammys

The Grammys

1959 · Self

Today

Today

1952 · Self

The Emmy Awards

The Emmy Awards

1949 · Self