Mario Van Peebles

Photo of Mario Van Peebles

Biography

Though he was the son of legendary blaxploitation filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles, actor and director Mario Van Peebles made his own name both in front of and behind the camera in numerous film and television projects. After a few years of finding his footing as an actor, Van Peebles broke through with a memorable turn in "Heartbreak Ridge" (1986), which opened the doors to bigger and better things, including directing. He made his debut in the …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Music

Born

January 15, 1957

Career Milestones

Directed music videos for Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Nightrain (also produced and had a cameo)

Grew up in Europe

Moved to the commodities exchange

Served as budget analyst under NYC Mayor Ed Koch for two years

Will direct and co-star in the thriller "Yellow Wood" (lensed 2005)

Worked as a Ford model

Worked for a film investment firm setting up limited partnerships

1965

Returned to USA at age eight (date approximate)

1971

First film appearance (in bit part as the young Sweetback) in father's "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song"

1971

TV acting debut, "The Cable Car Murder/Cross Current", an unsold pilot

1979

Played a small part in "The Sophisticated Gents", a superior NBC miniseries scripted by his father (who also acted); shelved for two years before airing in 1981

1983

Film acting and writing (provided additional dialogue) debut, "South Bronx Heroes" (released direct-to-video 1985)

1984

Broadway acting debut in his father's comedy with music, "Waltz of the Stork"

1984

First appearance in a major film, a bit part in Francis Coppola's "The Cotton Club"

1984

First released feature as an adult, "Exterminator 2"

1985

First TV guest shot, "The Cosby Show"

1985

Wrote song, "Two of a Kind" and performed five songs in film "Rappin'" (also actor)

1986

Breakthrough feature supporting role, Clint Eastwood's "Heartbreak Ridge"

1986

Played a recurring role during the first season of "L.A. Law" (also performed songs)

1988

Starred as title character in the NBC-TV detective comedy series, "Sonny Spoon", produced by Stephen J. Cannell

1989

Directed an episode of Cannell's acclaimed crime drama "Wiseguy"

1989

Feature producing (co-produced with father) and scripting debut, "Identity Crisis", a broad farce directed by his father (also starred); released in 1990

1989

TV directing debut, helmed several episodes of the Cannell-produced quasi-teen cop show "21 Jump Street"

1990

Directed "Malcolm Takes a Shot", a presentation of "CBS Schoolbreak Specials" about a high school athelete who develops epilepsy

1991

Directed first feature, "New Jack City" (also co-star)

1991

Starred in CBS TV-movie "Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story"

1993

Directed less successful "Posse"

1995

Collaborated with father Melvin Van Peebles on "Panther"

1996

Directed by father in "Gang in Blue" (Showtime)

1997

Wrote, produced and starred in "Los Locos", a TV-movie sequel to "Posse" aired on The Movie Channel

1998

Produced, wrote, directed and co-starred in "Love Kills"

1999

Signed development deal with CBS to star in a TV series

2000

Joined cast of the Showtime series "Rude Awakening" for its final season

2001

Portrayed Malcolm X in "Ali", Michael Mann biopic of the boxer Muhammed Ali

2003

Played Mohammed and Sweetback in the holiday comedy "The Hebrew Hammer"

2004

Wrote, produced, directed and starred in "Baadasssss!" a homage to his father Melvin's 1971 film, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song; received Independent Spirit Award Nominations for Best Feature, Best Director and Best Screenplay

Awards

2005

Independent Spirit Award for Best Director in Baadasssss!

2005

Independent Spirit Award for Best Feature in Baadasssss!

2005

Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay in Baadasssss!