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 …
Mario Van Peebles SlideShow
1 - 4 of 4
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! |