Known for movies

Short Info

Net Worth$8 Million
Date Of BirthJanuary 15, 1957
SpouseChitra Sukhu Van Peebles, Katrina Peebles, Chitra Sukhu Van Peebles
FactMario appeared in the music video of Billy Joel's song "A Matter of Trust" in 1986.


Mario Van Peebles (born January 15, 1957) is an American film director and actor best known for directing New Jack City in 1991. He is the son of actor and filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles, whom he worked with on the films Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song and Baadasssss!.

Early Life

Mario Van Peebles was born in Mexico City, Mexico, the son of actor and filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles and his wife, Maria Marx. His parents divorced when he was four years old and he was raised in the United States by his mother. He has four siblings: actors Antonio Van Peebles, Mark Van Peebles, Maya Van Peebles, and Marissa Van Peebles.

Van Peebles was educated at the High School for the Performing Arts in New York City. He later studied acting at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting and directing at the American Film Institute Conservatory.

Career

Van Peebles made his acting debut in his father’s film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971). He went on to appear in a number of his father’s films, including The Watermelon Man (1970), We’re Not Gonna Take It (1972), and Baadasssss! (2003).

In 1991, Van Peebles made his directorial debut with the film New Jack City, starring Wesley Snipes and Ice-T. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $47 million at the box office.

Van Peebles has since directed a number of films, including Panther (1995), Posse (1993), and Baadasssss! (2003). He has also appeared in a number of films, including Jaws: The Revenge (1987), Ali (2001), and Django Unchained (2012).

Net Worth

Mario Van Peebles has a net worth of $5 million. He has earned his wealth through his successful career as a film director and actor.

General Info

Full NameMario Van Peebles
Net Worth$8 Million
Date Of BirthJanuary 15, 1957
Height1.78 m, 1.78 m
ProfessionScreenwriter, Television producer, Film producer, Film director, Actor, Television Director, Actor, Film director, Film producer, Screenwriter, Television Director, Television producer
EducationColumbia University, Rutgers University, Columbia University
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseChitra Sukhu Van Peebles, Katrina Peebles, Chitra Sukhu Van Peebles
ChildrenMandela Van Peebles, Maya Van Peebles, Makaylo Van Peebles, Marley Van Peebles, Morgana Van Peebles, R. Donahue Peebles III, Mandela Van Peebles, Maya Van Peebles, Morgana Van Peebles, Marley Van Peebles, Makaylo Van Peebles
ParentsMelvin Van Peebles, Maria Marx, Roy Donahue Peebles Sr., Ruth Yvonne Willoughby, Melvin Van Peebles, Maria Marx
SiblingsMegan Van Peebles, Max Van Peebles, Megan Van Peebles, Max Van Peebles

Accomplishments

AwardsNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
NominationsNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay, Independent Spirit Award for Best Director, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series, Independent Spirit Award fo...
MoviesSweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, New Jack City, Baadasssss!, USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage, We the Party, Posse, Panther, Jaws: The Revenge, Heartbreak Ridge, All Things Fall Apart, Red Sky, Highlander III: The Sorcerer, Hard Luck, Solo, Exterminator 2, Carlito's Way: Rise to Power, Gunmen, Gan...
TV ShowsSonny Spoon, Rude Awakening, Black in the 80s, Sonny Spoon, Rude Awakening, Sharpshooter, Sally Hemings: An American Scandal, Mama Flora's Family, Black in the 80s

Social profile links

Quotes

#Quote
1When young people see movies like 'Gandhi 'or 'JFK,' there is an element of romanticization of these powerful people, and young people often feel a huge distance between their own lives and the lives of these social-change heroes. But the Panthers were flawed-up people from the streets, so it's easier to identify with them.
2No matter what color you are, if you mentor some little boy or girl, you make a huge difference in their lives because they then model behavior that leads to success versus modeling behavior that doesn't.
3My father, Melvin van Peebles, and my mother were both very active politically when I was a kid. The first time I was allowed to stay up late was to attend a demonstration.
4My dad always said there's four phases in an actor/director's life. There's 'Mario Who?' There's 'Get me Mario!' 'Get me a young Mario,' and 'Mario Who?'
5If you sort of treat the environment in sort of this mechanical, industrial way that there's a disconnect between man and the environment, it's very easy to treat people that way.
6If I or any other black can deliver at the box office, I'll get a lot of work. Too many young actors, regardless of their color, try to play an attitude on camera and fail to remember their job is to fit into an entertainment.
7When you make a film that is based in reality, reality will come up all around it.
8When I came out to Hollywood, I discovered the perfect place for my creative madness - Cannon Pictures.
9We think birth is a miracle and death is a tragedy, but really they're flip sides of the same coin - anything born is gonna die.
10There is definitely places in America where, if you're born into that environment, your chances of getting out are really, really limited.
11My father told me you have two loves in your life: What you do and the people you're with.
12I'm not in business to make money.
13I went from being 'Mario who?' to 'Mario baby!
14I had unusual parents. We'd been to Europe. We'd been in the theater. We were sort of like the Addams Family.

Facts

#Fact
1Mario appeared in the music video of Billy Joel's song "A Matter of Trust" in 1986.
2Was considered for the role of Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999).
3Has his own movie production company named "MVP Filmz".
4Mother is German actress Maria Marx.
5His movie debut came when he was 13 in his father's 1971 film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971), where he had a love scene with an older woman.
6Earned a B.A. in Economics from Columbia University in 1978.
7Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world. [1991]
8Son of director Melvin Van Peebles and German actress Maria Marx. Father of Maya Van Peebles, Marley Van Peebles, Mandela Van Peebles. Brother of Megan Van Peebles and Max Van Peebles.

Pictures

Movies

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
IffilmingChief
Submerged2016Hector
For Justice2015TV MovieBen Tolan
Nashville2014-2015TV SeriesHenry Benton
Drumline: A New Beat2014TV MovieMr. Bolton
Mantervention2014Steve
Red Sky2014/IJason Cutter
American Warships2012VideoCaptain James Winston
We the Party2012Sutton
The Finder2012TV SeriesFontana
Tied to a Chair2011Billy Rust
Hellcats2011TV SeriesMichael Verdura
5th & Alameda2011Trevor
The Game2011TV SeriesBo
All Things Fall Apart2011Eric
Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright2010VideoAgent Hobbs
Multiple Sarcasms2010Rocky
Mario's Green House2009TV Series
A Letter to Dad2009Norman
Damages2007-2009TV SeriesAgent Randall Harrison Agent Harrison Man #2
All My Children2008TV SeriesSamuel Woods
Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha2008Pirate Captain
Sharpshooter2007TV MovieFlick
Law & Order2007TV SeriesAttorney Carsley
Hard Luck2006VideoCaptain Davis
Carlito's Way: Rise to Power2005VideoEarl
Soul Food2004TV SeriesQuentin James
Crown Heights2004TV MoviePaul Johnson
The Street Lawyer2003TV MovieMordecai Green
Gang of Roses2003Jessie Lee (Cameo)
Baadasssss!2003Melvin Van Peebles
44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot-Out2003TV MovieHenry Jones
The Hebrew Hammer2003Mohammed Ali Paula Abdul Rahim
Fiona2002TV MovieDetective Winston Cates
Robbery Homicide Division2002TV SeriesAlton Davis
10,000 Black Men Named George2002TV MovieAshley Totten
Ali2001Malcolm X
Guardian2001Detective Kross
Rude Awakening2000-2001TV SeriesMarcus Adams
Blowback2000Insp. Don Morrell
Sally Hemings: An American Scandal2000TV MovieJames Hemings
Martial Law2000TV SeriesJake Cord
Raw Nerve1999Detective Blair Valdez
Judgment Day1999VideoThomas Payne
Killers in the House1998TV MovieRodney Sawyer
Love Kills1998Poe Finklestein
Protector1998VideoJack Valentine
Mama Flora's Family1998TV Mini-SeriesLuke
Los Locos1997Chance
Crazy Six1997VideoDirty Mao
Stag1997Michael Barnes
The Outer Limits1997TV SeriesCaptain William Clark
Riot1997TV MovieTurner (segment "Homecoming Day")
Gang in Blue1996TV MovieMichael Rhoades
Solo1996Solo
Living Single1996TV SeriesCole Front
Strangers1996TV SeriesMac
Panther1995/IStokely Carmichael
In the Living Years1994Norman
Highlander: The Final Dimension1994Kane
Full Eclipse1993TV MovieMax Dire
Gunmen1993Cole Parker
Posse1993Jesse Lee
In the Line of Duty: Street War1992TV MovieRaymond Williamson
Stompin' at the Savoy1992TV MovieWalter
A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story1991TV MovieRicky Bell
New Jack City1991Stone
CBS Schoolbreak Special1990TV SeriesDr. Thompson
In Living Color1990TV Series
Blue Bayou1990TV MovieJay Filley
American Playwrights Theater: The One-Acts1989TV SeriesShooter
21 Jump Street1989TV SeriesDancer / Dana
Identity Crisis1989Chilly D
Sonny Spoon1988TV SeriesSonny Spoon
The Child Saver1988TV Movie
Jaws: The Revenge1987Jake
The Facts of Life Down Under1987TV MovieDavid Johnson
Hotshot1987Winston
Heartbreak Ridge1986Stitch
L.A. Law1986TV SeriesAndrew Taylor
D.C. Cops1986TV MovieCliff Dickerson
Last Resort1986Pino
3:151986Whisperer
The Cosby Show1985TV SeriesGarvin
Children of the Night1985TV MovieRoy Spanish
South Bronx Heroes1985Tony
Rappin'1985John Hood
Delivery Boys1985Spider (as Mario van Peebles)
The Cotton Club1984Dancer
Exterminator 21984X
The Sophisticated Gents1981TV SeriesNicholas
Crosscurrent1971TV MovieRaphael
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song1971Young Sweetback / Kid (as Mario Peebles)
One Life to Live1968TV SeriesDoc Gilmore (1982-1983)

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Dionne2017rumored announced
Iffilming
Empire2015-2016TV Series 3 episodes
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage2016directed by
Roots2016TV Mini-Series 1 episode
Hand of God2015-2016TV Series 2 episodes
Being Mary Jane2015TV Series 2 episodes
The Last Ship2015TV Series 1 episode
Chicago P.D.2015TV Series 1 episode
Once Upon a Time2014TV Series 3 episodes
Nashville2013-2014TV Series 3 episodes
Red Sky2014/I
Zero Hour2013TV Series 1 episode
Monday Mornings2013TV Series 1 episode
NCIS2013TV Series 1 episode
Boss2011-2012TV Series 5 episodes
We the Party2012
All Things Fall Apart2011
Fair Game?2010Documentary
Redemption Road2010
Lost2010TV Series 1 episode
Law & Order2008-2009TV Series 3 episodes
Damages2007-2009TV Series 3 episodes
Bring Your 'A' Game2009Documentary short
Sons of Anarchy2008TV Series 1 episode
Hard Luck2006Video
The First Amendment Project: Poetic License2004TV Movie documentary
Baadasssss!2003
Robbery Homicide Division2002TV Series 1 episode
Standing Knockdown1999
Love Kills1998
Gang in Blue1996TV Movie
Panther1995/I
Posse1993
Gabriel's Fire1991TV Series 1 episode
New Jack City1991
CBS Schoolbreak Special1990TV Series 1 episode
Wiseguy1989TV Series 1 episode
21 Jump Street1989TV Series 3 episodes
Top of the Hill1989TV Series
Sonny Spoon1988TV Series 1 episode

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
We the Party2012executive producer
Fair Game?2010Documentary producer
Mario's Green House2009TV Series executive producer
Bring Your 'A' Game2009Documentary short producer
Hard Luck2006Video producer
The Story Behind Baadasssss!: The Birth of Black Cinema2004Video documentary short producer
The First Amendment Project: Poetic License2004TV Movie documentary producer
Baadasssss!2003producer
Standing Knockdown1999producer
Judgment Day1999Video executive producer
Love Kills1998producer
Los Locos1997producer
Gang in Blue1996TV Movie producer
Panther1995/Iproducer

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Rappin'1985performer: "Snack Attack", "Colors", "Lady Alcohol", "Courtroom" / writer: "Two of a Kind", "Snack Attack", "Colors", "Lady Alcohol", "The Game", "Courtroom", "Finale"
Hard Luck2006Video performer: "Feel Lucky" - as MVP / writer: "Feel Lucky"
Baadasssss!2003lyrics: "Gettin' the Man's Foot outta Your Baadasssss!"
Posse1993writer: "Ride of Your Life", "Ride of Your Life" instrumental version
The 9th Annual American Black Achievement Awards1988TV Special performer: "Once In A Lifetime"
Heartbreak Ridge1986lyrics: "I Love You But I Ain't Stupid" / music: "I Love You But I Ain't Stupid" / performer: "I Love You But I Ain't Stupid" / writer: "Bionic Marine", "Recon Rap"
South Bronx Heroes1985lyrics: "Makin It Real", "'Revenge' Rap" / performer: "Makin It Real", "'Revenge' Rap"

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Iffilming
Red Sky2014/Iscreenplay
Hard Luck2006Video screenplay
Baadasssss!2003screenplay
Standing Knockdown1999writer
Love Kills1998writer
Los Locos1997
Identity Crisis1989writer
South Bronx Heroes1985additional dialogue

Music Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Posse1993executive soundtrack album producer

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Paris, je t'aime2006thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver2015TV Series
Snoop & Son: A Dad's Dream2015TV Mini-Series documentaryNarrator (2015)
2013 Soul Train Awards2013TV SpecialHimself
44th NAACP Image Awards2013TV Movie documentaryHimself
Made in Hollywood2012TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Guest
Up Close with Carrie Keagan2012TV SeriesHimself
Big Morning Buzz Live2012TV SeriesHimself
Herschel2011DocumentaryNarrator
The Mo'Nique Show2011TV SeriesHerself
Way Black When: Primetime2011TV SeriesHimself
Fair Game?2010DocumentaryHimself
Way Black When2010TV MovieHimself - Host
Tavis Smiley2004-2010TV SeriesHimself
Bring Your 'A' Game2009Documentary shortHimself - Director
Spiritual Liberation2009Video documentary
Living with Ed2008TV SeriesHimself
The BET Honors2008TV MovieHimself
The 34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards2007TV SpecialHimself
Secret's Out2007TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Siskel & Ebert2006TV SeriesHimself - Guest Host
The 2006 Black Movie Awards2006TV SpecialHimself
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Cheers: America's Most Inspiring Movies2006TV Movie documentaryHimself
A Trumpet at the Walls of Jericho2005DocumentaryQuotes (voice)
Carlito's Way: Rise to Power - Making of Documentary2005Video documentary shortHimself
Road to 'New Jack City'2005Video documentary shortHimself
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It)2005DocumentaryHimself
36th NAACP Image Awards2005TV SpecialHimself
The 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards2005TV Special documentaryHimself
Unstoppable: Conversation with Melvin Van Peebles, Gordon Parks, and Ossie Davis2005TV Movie documentaryHimself
Black in the 80s2005TV Mini-Series documentaryHimself
Harlem World: A Walk Inside2005Video shortHimself
The Story Behind Baadasssss!: The Birth of Black Cinema2004Video documentary shortHimself
I Love the '90s2004TV Series documentaryHimself
Anatomy of a Scene2004TV Series documentaryHimself
The First Amendment Project: Poetic License2004TV Movie documentaryHimself - presenter
That's Black Entertainment: Westerns2002TV Movie documentaryHost
33rd NAACP Image Awards2002TV SpecialHimself
That's Black Entertainment: Actors2002TV Movie documentaryHost
That's Black Entertainment: Comedians2002TV Movie documentaryHost
HBO First Look2001TV Series documentaryHimself
The Making of 'Ali'2001TV Movie documentaryHimself
Acapulco Black Film Festival2000TV Movie documentaryHimself
Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western1997TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Anti Gravity Room1997TV SeriesHimself - Guest Host
The Last Great American Gold Heist1996TV Movie documentaryHimself - Host
Late Night with Conan O'Brien1994-1996TV SeriesHimself
The Daily Show1996TV SeriesHimself
Late Show with David Letterman1995-1996TV SeriesHimself
Lauren Hutton and...1995TV SeriesHimself
Charlie Rose1995TV SeriesHimself - Guest / Himself
The 9th Annual Soul Train Music Awards1995TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
The 1994 Annual Diversity Awards1994TV SpecialHimself
Ebony's 15th Annual Black Achievement Awards1994TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
The Arsenio Hall Show1994TV SeriesHimself
Soul Train1994TV Series documentaryHimself - Guest Host
26th NAACP Image Awards1994TV SpecialHimself
Tonight Live with Steve Vizard1993TV SeriesHimself
Live with Kelly and Michael1993TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Ebony/Jet Showcase1987-1993TV SeriesHimself
The 7th Annual Soul Train Music Awards1993TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
25th NAACP Image Awards1993TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
The 14th Annual CableACE Awards1993TV Special
The Howard Stern Interview1993TV SeriesHimself
The Real Malcolm X1992TV Movie documentaryHimself - Actor
The 13th Annual American Black Achievement Awards1992TV SpecialHimself - Host
The Chuck Woolery Show1991TV SeriesHimself
The 5th Annual Soul Train Music Awards1991TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Family Figures1990TV SeriesHimself - Host
The Marsha Warfield Show1990TV SeriesHimself
Story of a People: The Black Road to Hollywood1990TV Special documentaryHost
21st NAACP Image Awards1989TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
The New Hollywood Squares1988TV SeriesGuest Appearance
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1988TV SpecialHimself
20th NAACP Image Awards1988TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
The 9th Annual American Black Achievement Awards1988TV SpecialHimself - Host
Behind the Scenes with 'Jaws: The Revenge'1987TV Movie documentaryHimself
American Masters1986TV Series documentary

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Late Show with David Letterman2011TV SeriesHimself

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2005Black ReelBlack Reel AwardsBest Screenplay, Original or AdaptedHow to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass (2003)
2005Black ReelBlack Reel AwardsBest DirectorHow to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass (2003)
2004Audience AwardPhiladelphia Film FestivalBest Feature FilmHow to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass (2003)
2003Copper Wing Tribute AwardPhoenix Film FestivalPhoenix Film Foundation Awards
1995Silver LeopardLocarno International Film FestivalPanther (1995)
1995Prize of the Ecumenical Jury - Special MentionLocarno International Film FestivalPanther (1995)
1989Image AwardImage AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion PictureHeartbreak Ridge (1986)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2013Image AwardImage AwardsOutstanding Directing in a Drama SeriesBoss (2011)
2011Action on Film AwardAction on Film International Film Festival, USABest Supporting Actor5th & Alameda (2011)
2005Black ReelBlack Reel AwardsBest Actor, DramaHow to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass (2003)
2005Black ReelBlack Reel AwardsBest Film, DramaHow to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass (2003)
2005Image AwardImage AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Motion PictureHow to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass (2003)
2005Independent Spirit AwardIndependent Spirit AwardsBest FeatureHow to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass (2003)
2005Independent Spirit AwardIndependent Spirit AwardsBest DirectorHow to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass (2003)
2005Independent Spirit AwardIndependent Spirit AwardsBest ScreenplayHow to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass (2003)
2004Grand Prix AsturiasGijón International Film FestivalBest FeatureHow to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass (2003)
2002Image AwardImage AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion PictureAli (2001)
1995Golden LeopardLocarno International Film FestivalPanther (1995)
1991DGA AwardDirectors Guild of America, USAOutstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Shows - DaytimeCBS Schoolbreak Special (1984)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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