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Irving Rameses "Ving" Rhames (born May 12, 1959) is a Golden Globe-winning American actor. This physically imposing African-American character player, often with a shaved head and earring, has embodied complex and credible heavies and flawed men of authority on stage and screen. A native of NYC's Harlem, Rhames was educated at the High School of the Performing Arts and Juilliard before acting on and off-Broadway. He segued to TV with stints on the daytime soaps "The Guiding Light" and "Another World". Rhames first gained notice playing a young incarnation of writer James Baldwin's father in the autobiographical "Go Tell It On the Mountain" (PBS, 1984), delivering a vigorous performance as a young Baptist preacher attempting to escape the strictures of the 1920s South. Rhames was even more intense in Paul Schrader's "Patty Hearst" (1988) as the terrifying yet charismatic "Field Marshall" Cinque, leader of the self-styled revolutionary Symbionese Liberation Army and chief kidnapper and tormentor of the young heiress. Strikingly featured and muscular African American actor who was born and raised in Harlem, New York. Irving "Ving" Rhames had studied dramatic arts at the New York High School of Performing Arts and then at the Julliard School of Drama. After graduating from Julliard, Rhames went on to perform in Shakespeare in the Park productions. In 1984, he appeared in front of the camera's for the first time in the TV movie _Go Tell It On the Mountain (1985) (TV)_, and was then quickly cast in minor roles in several popular TV shows including Miami Vice (1984), Tour of Duty (1987) and Crime Story (1986). In a remarkable turn of events, whilst filming The Saint of Fort Washington (1993) in New York, he was introduced to a homeless man, who turned out to be his long lost, older brother, Junior, who had lost contact with the family after serving in Vietnam. The thrilled Rhames immediately assisted his disheveled brother in getting proper food & clothing, and moving him into his own apartment. His next big break came in 1994 when director Quentin Tarantino cast him as the merciless drug dealer Marsellus Wallace in the mega hit Pulp Fiction (1994). Not long after, director Brian De Palma cast Rhames alongside Tom Cruise as the ace computer hacker, Luther Stickell in Mission: Impossible (1996). With solid performances in both these highly popular productions, his face was now well known to movie goers, and the work offers began rolling in more frequently. The next career highlight was playing the lead role in the HBO production of Don King: Only in America (1997) Rhames' performance as the world's most infamous boxing promoter was nothing short of brilliant, and at the 1998 Golden Globe Awards he picked up the award for Best Actor in a MiniSeries. However, in an incredible display of compassion, he handed over the award to fellow nominee Jack Lemmon, as he felt Lemmon was a more deserving winner! The talented actor then contributed attention grabbing performances in Bringing out the Dead (1999), returned as Luther Stickell in Mission: Impossible II (2000), contributed his deep bass voice for the character of Cobra Bubbles in Lilo & Stitch (2002), and played a burly cop fighting cannibal zombie hordes in Dawn of the Dead (2004). A keen fitness & weight lifting enthusiast, Rhames is also well known for his strong spiritual beliefs and benevolent attitude towards other people. Rhames was born in New York City, New York to African-American parents Reatha, a homemaker, and Ernest Rhames, an auto mechanic. He was named after retired NBC journalist Irving R. Levine and grew up in Harlem, Manhattan. A good student, Ving entered New York's School of Performing Arts, where he discovered his love of acting. After high school he studied drama at SUNY Purchase where he met fellow actor Stanley Tucci, who gave him his nickname "Ving". He later transferred to Juilliard, where he began his career in New York theater. Ving entered the New York High School of Performing Arts, where he discovered his love of acting. He studied at the Julliard School of Drama, and began his career in New York theater. He first appeared on Broadway in the play "The Winter Boys" in 1984. Ving continued his rise to fame through his work in soap operas. He found work as a supporting actor, and came to the attention of the general public in Pulp Fiction (1994). Rhames first appeared on Broadway in the play The Winter Boys in 1984. Ving continued his rise to fame through his work in soap operas. He found work as a supporting actor, and came to the attention of the general public by playing the role of Marcellus Wallace in Pulp Fiction (1994). Rhames also was getting public exposure on television as Peter Benton's brother on the medical drama ER, a recurring role he filled for 3 seasons. Not long after, Rhames was cast with Tom Cruise as the ace computer hacker Luther Stickell in Brian de Palma's Mission: Impossible (1996). With solid performances in two of these highly popular productions, his face was now known to moviegoers, and the work offers began rolling in more frequently. Rhames portrayed the Character of Nathan 'Diamond Dog' Jones in the popular film Con Air (1997). Rhames won a Golden Globe in 1998 for best actor in a TV miniseries for his performance in HBO's Don King: Only in America. At the ceremony Rhames gave his award to fellow nominee Jack 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 sweetest moments I've ever known in my life." The Hollywood 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. Rhames contributed attention-grabbing performances in Striptease (1996 as the wisecracking bodyguard Shad), Bringing Out the Dead (1999), reprised his Luther Stickell role for Mission: Impossible II (2000), playing Johnnie Cochran in American Tragedy (2000), portraying a gay drag queen in the television movie Holiday Heart, contributed his deep bass voice for the character of Cobra Bubbles in Lilo & Stitch (2002) and the subsequent TV series, and played a stoic cop fighting cannibal zombie hordes in Dawn of the Dead (2004) and in the upcoming Day of the Dead 2008 remake. Rhames has also appeared in a series of television commercials for Radio Shack, usually performing with Vanessa L. Williams. A keen fitness and weight-lifting enthusiast, Rhames is also well known for his strong spiritual beliefs and benevolent attitude toward other people. In March 2005, Rhames played the lead role on a new "Kojak" series, on the USA 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 the Savalas original. Rhames also voiced the part of Tobias Jones in the computer game DRIV3R. In 2006, Rhames reprised his role in Mission: Impossible III, making him the only actor besides Tom Cruise to appear in all three Mission: Impossible films, and was announced that he would have a role in the Aquaman based show Mercy Reef. In the integrating of The WB and UPN for the new network, CW, Mercy Reef was not picked up. It is an early contender for a midseason replacement, but currently no plans to air the series have been announced. Rhames played a homosexual, possibly also homicidal, firefighter who comes out of the closet in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. He also narrates the BET television series American Gangster. Spent two years as part of the acting class of 1982 at the State University of New York at Purchase (SUNY Purchase) before returning to Julliard. Education: Juilliard, NY (Drama). Was given the nickname he goes by, "Ving," by his one time roomate Stanley Tucci, when together for a time at SUNY Purchase. Engaged to Deborah Reed (2000). Won a Golden Globe in 1998 for best actor in a TV miniseries for his performance in HBO's Don King: Only in America (1997) (TV). At the ceremony Rhames gave his award to Jack 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 sweetest moments I've ever known in my life." The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced later that they would have a duplicate award prepared for Rhames. Step-daughter, Tiffany 15 years old. Daughter, Reignbeau, born 2000. Son, Freedom, born February 2002. He says people are often surprised that he isn't bigger in person, as he stands a little bit less than 6 feet tall and weighs a little over 200 pounds. He is, however, quite strong for his size, being able to bench press over 300 pounds. Daughter is named Reign Beau. Was considered for the role of Ben in Night of the Living Dead (1990). He later starred in Dawn of the Dead (2004) and Day of the Dead (2008). Invited to join AMPAS in 2006. Was named after retired NBC journalist Irving R. Levine. He credits his strong religious faith as a key to his success. In 1993, during the filming of The Saint of Fort Washington in New York City, Rhames was unexpectedly reunited with his brother, Junior, a troubled, homeless Vietnam veteran who'd been estranged from the Rhames family for years. Raised on 126th Street in the Harlem area of New York City. Is a huge fan of boxing and often goes to live major events. Put on 30 pounds to look more imposing for his role in Striptease. The son of a mechanic and a homemaker, and the youngest of two boys. Rhames, along with a production team, are looking into a project to film a biopic of the boxer, Sonny Liston. Rhames, will appear in the new Coach Carter TV show taking the place of Samuel L Jackson who made the role famous in the 2005 film. |
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