Biography
Grammy winner LL Cool J established himself as one of the first real hip-hop superstars before enjoying two decades of steady musical output and a lucrative side business as a film and television actor. After he helped put fledgling Def Jam Records on the map with his 1984 hit "I Need A Beat," Cool J managed to remain a relevant recording artist throughout his career, parlaying his street smart persona and gym-rat physique into success in …
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Career Milestones
2012 | Hosted the 2012 Grammy Awards ceremony | |
2011 | Nominated for the 2011 Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor: Action Adventure | |
2009 | Cast as Special Agent Sam Hanna on the CBS spin-off series "NCIS: Los Angeles" | |
2008 | Released final album under the Def Jam label Exit 13 | |
2007 | Co-starred as a gang leader opposite Ray Liotta in "Slow Burn" | |
2006 | Played Queen Latifah's love interest in the comedy "Last Holiday" | |
2005 | Co-starred in the thriller "Edison" | |
2005 | Co-starred with Val Kilmer in Renny Harlin's psychological thriller "Mindhunters" | |
2004 | Released tenth studio album The DEFinition; earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album | |
2003 | Cast alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell and Michelle Rodriguez in the action thriller "S.W.A.T." | |
2003 | First lead role, playing a a womanizer who meets his match in the comedy feature "Deliver Us From Eva" | |
2002 | Co-starred in the remake of "Rollerball" | |
2001 | Cast as one of the leads in the ensemble feature "Kingdom Come" | |
2000 | Appeared as Mr. Jones in the big screen remake of "Charlie's Angels" | |
2000 | Released the album G.O.A.T., which stood for the "Greatest Of All Time" | |
1999 | Co-starred as a football player in Oliver Stone's "Any Given Sunday" | |
1999 | Won plaudits for his effective turn as an evil drug dealer in "In Too Deep" | |
1998 | Featured in the horror sequel "Halloween H20: 20 Years Later" | |
1995 | Released his successful sixth album Mr. Smith | |
1995 | Played a former professional football player on the sitcom "In the House" (NBC, 1995-96; UPN, 1996-99) | |
1995 | Starred in Debbie Allen's feature directorial debut "Out of Sync" | |
1993 | Formed own record label, P.O.G. (Power of God); signed multi-album deal with Def Records | |
1992 | Co-starred opposite Robin Williams in Barry Levinson's "Toys" | |
1991 | Made acting debut in the film "The Hard Way"; also featured his hit song "Mama Said Knock You Out" | |
1990 | Released highly successful fourth album Mama Said Knock You Out | |
1987 | Released second album Bigger and Deffer | |
1987 | Made early TV appearance singing on a Diana Ross special | |
1985 | Appeared as himself in the film "Krush Groove" | |
1985 | Released debut album Radio to critical acclaim | |
1985 | Released first single "I Need a Beat" with Def Jam Records | |
| Began producing and creating demos at age 16 | ||
Awards
1998 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special in The 1997 MTV Europe Music Awards |