LL Cool J

LL Cool J

1968-01-14 Bay Shore, Long Island, New York, USA 63 Credits

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

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Complete Filmography

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

2025

as Self

7.9
Acting

Untold stories behind the culture-defining and newsmaking musical performances, sketches and cameos of the past 50 years.

Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular

Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular

2024

as Self

9.0
Acting

Jimmy and his friends present a hour long special inspired by his album, "Holiday Seasoning".

A Hip Hop Minute

A Hip Hop Minute

2024

as Self

6.5
Acting

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

NCISverse: The First 1,000

2024

as Self

9.0
Acting

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

Comin' Up Short

2024

as Self

Acting

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

A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop

2023

as Self

8.5
Acting

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

A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop

2023

Executive Producer

8.5
Producing

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 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

2023

as Self

8.1
Acting

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 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

2022

as Self

8.2
Acting

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

You're Watching Video Music Box

2021

as Self (archive footage)

6.4
Acting

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

Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell

2021

as Self - Hip-Hop Artist (archive footage)

7.2
Acting

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

Ricky Powell: The Individualist

2020

as Self

4.8
Acting

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

One World: Together at Home

2020

as Self

7.0
Acting

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

Acting

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

A Home for the Holidays: The 20th Anniversary

2018

as Self - Host

Acting

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

Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones

2018

as Self

7.0
Acting

“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

1.0
Acting

An interactive talent show to find the pro football player with the best off-the-field talent.

Sinatra 100: An All-Star Grammy Concert

Sinatra 100: An All-Star Grammy Concert

2015

as Self

9.3
Acting

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

Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life - An All-Star Grammy Salute

2015

as Self

8.0
Acting

"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

The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles

2014

as Self - Host

7.1
Acting

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

Grudge Match

2013

as Frankie Brite

6.1
Acting

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

4.5
Acting

Documentary about the life of undefeated eight-time world boxing champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather.

Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You

Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You

2012

as Self

7.5
Acting

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’

Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’

2012

as Self

5.0
Acting

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

We Are the World 25 For Haiti

2010

as Self

7.0
Acting

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

How Bruce Lee Changed the World

2009

as Self

8.0
Acting

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)

6.6
Acting

DJ Cinema is mixing up blends with artists like Biggie, Nas, Jay-Z, AZ, Rick Ross, Fabolous, 50 Cent and Jadakiss.

The Deal

The Deal

2008

as Bobby Mason

5.4
Acting

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

ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway

2007

as Self

7.2
Acting

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

Last Holiday

Last Holiday

2006

as Sean Matthews

7.2
Acting

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

Slow Burn

2005

as Luther Pinks

5.3
Acting

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

Edison

2005

as Deed

5.3
Acting

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

Mindhunters

2004

as Gabe Jensen

6.5
Acting

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.

S.W.A.T.

2003

as Deacon 'Deke' Kaye (as James Todd Smith aka LL Cool J)

6.2
Acting

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

Beef

2003

as Self (archive footage)

6.4
Acting

A documentary on the evolution of MC battles from verbal one-upmanship to street warfare.

Deliver Us from Eva

Deliver Us from Eva

2003

as Ray Adams

6.4
Acting

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

Rollerball

2002

as Marcus Ridley

3.9
Acting

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

It's Black Entertainment

2002

as Self (archive footage)

8.0
Acting

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

Hype Williams: The Videos Vol. 1

2002

5.0
Acting

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

Kingdom Come

Kingdom Come

2001

as Ray Bud Slocumb

6.6
Acting

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

Charlie's Angels

2000

as Mr. Jones

5.8
Acting

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

Any Given Sunday

1999

as Julian Washington

6.8
Acting

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

Rapmania: The Roots of Rap

1999

Acting

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

In Too Deep

1999

as Dwayne Gittens / God

6.3
Acting

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

Deep Blue Sea

1999

as Preacher

6.0
Acting

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

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

1998

as Ronald 'Ronny' Jones

6.0
Acting

Two decades after surviving a massacre on October 31, 1978, former baby sitter Laurie Strode finds herself hunted by persistent knife-wielder Michael ...

Woo

Woo

1998

as Darryl

4.2
Acting

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

Caught Up

1998

as Roger

5.1
Acting

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

B.A.P.S

1997

as LL Cool J

5.2
Acting

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

Touch

1997

as LL Cool J

5.7
Acting

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

The Right to Remain Silent

1996

as Charles Red Taylor

5.0
Acting

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

The Show

1995

as Self

6.4
Acting

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

Out-of-Sync

1995

as Jason St. Julian

4.3
Acting

A DJ and ex-con is forced to work with the police in an undercover drug sting targeting his boss.

Toys

Toys

1992

as Patrick Zevo

5.3
Acting

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

Black Women, Sexual Politics and the Revolution

1992

Songs

Focuses on sexual equality in the Black community.

Simply Mad About the Mouse

Simply Mad About the Mouse

1991

as Self

4.0
Acting

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

The Hard Way

1991

as Billy

6.2
Acting

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

Future Of The Funk

1991

as Self

Acting

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

Big Fun in the Big Town

1986

as Self

5.0
Acting

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

Wildcats

1986

as Rapper

6.2
Acting

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

Krush Groove

1985

as LL Cool J

6.2
Acting

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

LL Cool J Presents The Rock the Bells Festival Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop

N/A

as Self

Acting

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

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...