Biography
James Todd Smith, better known as LL Cool J (acronym for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, alongside fellow new school hip hop acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC. Signed to Def Jam Recordings in 1984, his breakthrough came with his single "I Need a Beat" and his landmark debut album, Radio (1985). He achieved further commercial and critical success with the albums Bigger and Deffer...
Known For
Complete Filmography

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025
as Self
Untold stories behind the culture-defining and newsmaking musical performances, sketches and cameos of the past 50 years.

Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular
2024
as Self
Jimmy and his friends present a hour long special inspired by his album, "Holiday Seasoning".

A Hip Hop Minute
2024
as Self
1986 was a special year in the development of hip-hop. The Dutch TV documentary BIG FUN IN THE BIG TOWN captured this on film. And 15-year-old Pascal ...

NCISverse: The First 1,000
2024
as Self
Kevin Frazier hosts a celebration of the "NCIS" franchise, including exclusive interviews with cast members and guest stars; new details about the ori...

Comin' Up Short
2024
as Self
From being a ruthless gang banger, to protecting Ice Cube's life, Shorty from the controversial rap group Da Lench Mob, reveals untold secrets of N.W....

A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop
2023
as Self
A once-in-a-lifetime live concert special celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the two-hour tribute special features exclusive performances fr...

A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop
2023
Executive Producer
A once-in-a-lifetime live concert special celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the two-hour tribute special features exclusive performances fr...

2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2023
as Self
Celebrating the legacy and influence of the class of 2023, with performances from inductees Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, Chaka Khan, Willie Nelson and ...

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2022
as Self
The 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony take place on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California. ...

You're Watching Video Music Box
2021
as Self (archive footage)
The untold story of the world’s longest running video show, Video Music Box. A hip hop mainstay since 1983, VMB gave a platform to artists like Jay-Z,...

Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell
2021
as Self - Hip-Hop Artist (archive footage)
Christopher Wallace, AKA The Notorious B.I.G., remains one of Hip-Hop’s icons, renowned for his distinctive flow and autobiographical lyrics. This doc...

Ricky Powell: The Individualist
2020
as Self
Ricky Powell boasts a quintessential New York story, rising to fame as a street photographer in the 80’s and 90’s and touring with the Beastie Boys, c...

One World: Together at Home
2020
as Self
A global broadcast & digital special organized by Global Citizen and the World Health Organization featuring comedians, musicians, and actors to raise...
Henry Louis Gates Jr.: Uncovering America
2019
as Self - Musician and Actor
Actor Courtney B. Vance hosts this special celebrating Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s work with focus on his five quintessential documentary series abou...

A Home for the Holidays: The 20th Anniversary
2018
as Self - Host
A Home For The Holidays – The 20TH Anniversary . Two time Grammy Award winner LL Cool J will host the special and introduce the inspirational stories ...

Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones
2018
as Self
“Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones,” is a star-studded evening that celebrates the life and legacy of the icon. In celebration of such a le...
MVP: Most Valuable Performer
2018
An interactive talent show to find the pro football player with the best off-the-field talent.

Sinatra 100: An All-Star Grammy Concert
2015
as Self
A tribute concert celebrating Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday that promises performances from Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Ada...

Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life - An All-Star Grammy Salute
2015
as Self
"Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life — An All-Star GRAMMY Salute" will feature some of today's top artists covering songs by the legendary GRAMMY ...

The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles
2014
as Self - Host
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, this magnificent star-studded tribute salutes the Fab...

Grudge Match
2013
as Frankie Brite
A pair of aging boxing rivals are coaxed out of retirement to fight one final bout -- 30 years after their last match.
Mayweather
2013
as Narrator
Documentary about the life of undefeated eight-time world boxing champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather.

Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You
2012
as Self
Famed for her extraordinary vocal range and uncanny ability to reach the emotional core of a song, We Will Always Love You pays tribute to that magni...

Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’
2012
as Self
A provocative look into the seven-year history of the series that gave hip hop a voice and broke color barriers, integrating MTV with rap. "Yo! MTV Ra...

We Are the World 25 For Haiti
2010
as Self
In late 2009, it was suggested to writer Lionel Richie and producer Quincy Jones that a re-cut version of "We Are the World" be re-released under the ...

How Bruce Lee Changed the World
2009
as Self
More than just a biography, this film explores Bruce Lee's global impact to see how he has influenced all areas of popular culture including fitness, ...
DJ Cinema Presents: Masterpiece Theater Blend Dvd
2009
as Self (archive footage)
DJ Cinema is mixing up blends with artists like Biggie, Nas, Jay-Z, AZ, Rick Ross, Fabolous, 50 Cent and Jadakiss.

The Deal
2008
as Bobby Mason
Charlie Berns is a veteran Hollywood movie producer who has given up on his career and life. That is until his idealistic screenwriter nephew comes be...

ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway
2007
as Self
ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway is an American documentary film, directed by Dori Berinstein, a Broadway Producer, Writer and Filmmaker. Berinstei...

Last Holiday
2006
as Sean Matthews
The discovery that she has a terminal illness prompts introverted department store saleswoman Georgia Byrd to reflect on what she realizes has been an...

Slow Burn
2005
as Luther Pinks
A district attorney (Ray Liotta) is involved in a 24-hour showdown with a gang leader (LL Cool J) and is, at the same time, being manipulated by an at...

Edison
2005
as Deed
In the troubled city of Edison, a young journalist, his jaded editor, and an honest investigator from the district attorney's office join forces to ga...

Mindhunters
2004
as Gabe Jensen
Trainees in the FBI's psychological profiling program must put their training into practice when they discover a killer in their midst. Based very lo...

S.W.A.T.
2003
as Deacon 'Deke' Kaye (as James Todd Smith aka LL Cool J)
Hondo Harrelson recruits Jim Street to join an elite unit of the Los Angeles Police Department. Together they seek out more members, including tough D...

Beef
2003
as Self (archive footage)
A documentary on the evolution of MC battles from verbal one-upmanship to street warfare.

Deliver Us from Eva
2003
as Ray Adams
Eva Dandridge has been in charge of her younger sisters ever since their parents died many years ago. She is a very uptight young woman who constantly...

Rollerball
2002
as Marcus Ridley
In this fast action-packed thriller, Jonathan, Marcus, and Aurora compete in a dangerous, fierce sport called Rollerball. Although, Johnathan and Marc...

It's Black Entertainment
2002
as Self (archive footage)
A star-studded tribute (from the creators of That's Entertainment) to the contributions of Afro-Americans in film over the last century. Vanessa Willi...

Hype Williams: The Videos Vol. 1
2002
Hype's acclaim for skillfully imaginative visually intoxicating music videos, The Videos Vol. 1, features 10 videos depicting his creative approach an...

Kingdom Come
2001
as Ray Bud Slocumb
When her husband keels over from a stroke, Raynelle Slocumb calls the entire clan together to remember their dearly departed. Family tensions reach a ...

Charlie's Angels
2000
as Mr. Jones
The captivating crime-fighting trio who are masters of disguise, espionage and martial arts are back! When a devious mastermind embroils them in a plo...

Any Given Sunday
1999
as Julian Washington
A star quarterback gets knocked out of the game and an unknown third stringer is called in to replace him. The unknown gives a stunning performance an...

Rapmania: The Roots of Rap
1999
This bi-coastal simulcast concert brought together some of the most influential artists in rap for a one-time-only show of rhyming might. "Rap Mania: ...

In Too Deep
1999
as Dwayne Gittens / God
Drug lord Dwayne Gittens rules Cincinnati with an iron fist. No wonder he's known as "God" on the streets. Determined to break Gittens' stranglehold o...

Deep Blue Sea
1999
as Preacher
Researchers on the undersea lab Aquatica have genetically altered the brains of captive sharks to develop a cure for Alzheimer's disease. But there's ...

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later
1998
as Ronald 'Ronny' Jones
Two decades after surviving a massacre on October 31, 1978, former baby sitter Laurie Strode finds herself hunted by persistent knife-wielder Michael ...

Woo
1998
as Darryl
Woo is a woman in control of her world. She is smart, self-confident, sophisticated and snarky. And she doesn't have any trouble attracting members of...

Caught Up
1998
as Roger
Daryl gets out of jail after 5 years. His mother has died, his girlfriend is married, and he can't find a job. His new girlfriend Vanessa, whom he mee...

B.A.P.S
1997
as LL Cool J
Two wannabe Black American princesses aim to marry rich men, who will pay for their world's first combination hair salon and soul food restaurant.

Touch
1997
as LL Cool J
At the discovery of his ability to work miracles, Juvenal becomes a media sensation, but now he's prone to those who want to exploit him.

The Right to Remain Silent
1996
as Charles Red Taylor
Bright and eager to hit the streets in search of bad guys, rookie cop Christine Paley is disappointed when she's instead assigned to process criminals...

The Show
1995
as Self
A documentary about the culture of hip-hop. Through interviews with some of hip-hops biggest names, the film makers attempt to find out why it has bec...

Out-of-Sync
1995
as Jason St. Julian
A DJ and ex-con is forced to work with the police in an undercover drug sting targeting his boss.

Toys
1992
as Patrick Zevo
Leslie Zevo is a fun-loving inventor who must save his late father's toy factory from his evil uncle, Leland, a war-mongering general who rules the op...

Black Women, Sexual Politics and the Revolution
1992
Songs
Focuses on sexual equality in the Black community.

Simply Mad About the Mouse
1991
as Self
Simply Mad About the Mouse collects affectionate tributes to Disney's songs from artists like the Gipsy Kings, Soul II Soul, and Kirk Whalum. Bobby Mc...

The Hard Way
1991
as Billy
Seeking to raise his credibility as an actor and to land a role as a tough cop on a new show, Hollywood action star Nick Lang works a deal with New Yo...

Future Of The Funk
1991
as Self
The original rap superstar tells the story of his career, with candid interviews with the people that matter most to him. Also includes performances o...

Big Fun in the Big Town
1986
as Self
New York, 1986: a city of big dreams and equally big problems. Like New York itself, hip-hop music encompassed both of these human conditions. But hip...

Wildcats
1986
as Rapper
High school track coach Molly McGrath knows just as much about football as anyone else on the planet. When a football coach's position becomes vacant,...

Krush Groove
1985
as LL Cool J
Russell Walker is a young, successful manager of rap performers, handling acts for the Krush Groove label, including Run-DMC and The Fat Boys. When Ru...

LL Cool J Presents The Rock the Bells Festival Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop
N/A
as Self
From humble origins in the Bronx, the culture now dictates global popularity in music, fashion, art, and dance. This is a celebration of 50 years of H...

My Life With the Team: Bimmy's Story
N/A
Thanks
Documentary movie from Gangsta Chroniclez that - as the title suggests - chronicles James "Bimmy" Antney's experiences, stories and involvement with t...